Kenro Nakajima

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Kenro Nakajima, born October 19, 1984, in Nara, Japan, was a top climber and mountain cameraman. He disappeared on July 27, 2024, while climbing K2 in Pakistan at age 39. He studied at Kwansei Gakuin University and joined the mountaineering club. His father was a climber who died when Kenro was five, and his mother took him to the mountains. He began climbing to understand his father and pursued mountaineering after college, later working as a mountain guide and filmmaker.

With teammate Kazuya Hiraide, Nakajima achieved several first ascents and record climbs. He won three Piolet d’Or awards: in 2018 for Shispare’s northeast face (climbed in 2017); in 2020 for Rakaposhi (summited in 2019); and posthumously in 2024 for The Secret Line on Tirich Mir (climbed in 2023). He climbed six of the Seven Summits and three eight-thousanders: Cho Oyu, Manaslu, and Everest. He also made first ascents on remote peaks such as Panbari Himal’s east face (2007) and other routes on Dingjung Ri. His K2 expedition ended in tragedy when contact was lost and rescue attempts could not reach them; their bodies were not recovered as of August 2024. The Secret Line was later honored with the 2024 Piolets d’Or, recognizing Nakajima’s climbing achievements.