A 30-YEAR-OLD trail runner has been found dead after going missing during the descent from a 4,060m mountain in northern Pakistan.
Alexander Harris, who was originally from Birmingham and held Irish citizenship, disappeared on Saturday August 29 after reaching the summit of Musa Ka Musalla in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
He had been exploring the mountain with fellow British national Alun Cledwyn. The pair reached the summit before beginning their descent, but became separated as they made their way down. Harris, who was moving faster, travelled ahead of his companion.
Rain and fog then descended on the mountain, with Harris apparently becoming disorientated in the deteriorating conditions.
A major search operation was launched after he failed to reach the agreed meeting point.
His body was eventually found on Wednesday following three days of searching involving police officers, rescue teams and local volunteers.
According to Margalla Trail Runners, the Islamabad-based running club of which Harris was a member, preliminary information suggests that he strayed onto the wrong trail because of poor weather and severely reduced visibility before falling into a ravine.
The club estimated the ravine to be around 200ft deep, although the exact circumstances surrounding Harris’s death remain under investigation.
A love of Pakistan’s mountains
Harris was an experienced hiker and keen trail runner who had been living in Islamabad, where he worked for international development consultancy Adam Smith International.
He had become a familiar figure within Pakistan’s running community through his membership of Margalla Trail Runners and his participation in local races.
But his connection with the country went well beyond running. Friends and fellow runners have described his deep affection for Pakistan, particularly its mountains, culture and people. He was learning Urdu and had spent much of his time exploring the country’s mountain landscapes.
Margalla Trail Runners described him as an “avid trail runner” and paid tribute to his contribution to its community following news of his death.
The search for Harris brought together a large number of people, with local police and volunteers working across steep and difficult terrain.
Reports suggest that hundreds of people were involved in the operation, searching through forest and mountain terrain while dealing with rain, fog and poor visibility.
The challenging conditions also highlight how quickly a mountain outing can become considerably more serious when weather changes.
Musa Ka Musalla rises to approximately 4,060m in the Siran Valley of Mansehra District. The mountain sits at the junction of the Siran Valley and the Himalayan range and is a popular destination for trekkers and climbers.
Harris and Cledwyn had reached the summit before starting their descent, but the pair subsequently became separated.
According to local officials, Harris was around one or two kilometres ahead of his companion when it began to rain heavily. Cledwyn eventually returned to their accommodation, but Harris did not arrive, prompting the search.
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