Dahlmeier, ascending in alpine style with German partner Marina Eva, was hit by a falling boulder at about 5,700 metres on Monday. Though injured, she was able to signal to her partner, who was below her on the mountain, but could not be contacted.

A rescue effort was initiated by Pakistan Army Aviation choppers and high-altitude porters, but poor weather conditions and hazardous terrain rendered helicopters incapable of landing. Later the Alpine Club of Pakistan (ACP) confirmed her death.

Her representatives said that Dahlmeier left written notes stating that no one should endanger their life trying to retrieve her body, as per her family s request.

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Dahlmeier, 30, had been in the area since late June and had just ascended the Great Trango Tower. Born in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Bavaria, she was a two-time Olympic gold medalist and seven-time world champion in biathlon before retiring in 2019 to take up mountaineering. She subsequently became a certified mountain and ski guide, member of the mountain rescue team, and sports commentator.

Tributes flooded in from Germany and around the world. President Frank-Walter Steinmeier described her as an "ambassador" for Germany, with Bavaria s premier Markus Soeder praising her humility and successes.

Her death comes after the recent passing of Czech climber Klára Kolouchová, who passed away earlier this month following a fall into a ravine at the Nanga Parbat base camp.

Gilgit-Baltistan s towering peaks draw mountaineers from all over the world, but tough weather conditions make climbing perilous, with frequent fatal accidents.