An Italian mountaineer died while descending a snowy peak in remote northern Pakistan, an official said Saturday. The incident occurred Thursday when Leonardo Comelli, 27, part of a four-member Italian climbing team, fell while skiing down the 6,096-metre Laila Peak, in the Gilgit-Baltisitan region, dpa quoted Karar Haidri of the Alpine Club of Pakistan as saying. The Italians arrived in the region in May to attempt the first ski descent of the north-west face of Laila Peak, Haidri said. After setting up their advanced base camp at 5,350 meters, the four pushed toward the summit but were forced to turned back about 150 meters from the top due to inclement weather. Haidri said that during the descent "Comelli crossed his skis, lost his balance and fell circa 400 meters down steep mixed terrain." "The other members of the expedition could do nothing more than retrieve the body, transport it to a safer place and raise the alarm," he continued, adding that it took time to confirm Comelli's death because of the remote area. Comelli came from Muggia, on the outskirts of Trieste. The other members of the team were safe.
