An expert who has visited mountains in Pakistan numerous times has described the final moments a British trekker who fell to his death may have faced – and revealed even locals avoid the area near where his body was found.

Concerns rose on Sunday when Alexander Harris, from Birmingham, failed to return to the base camp of the Musa Ka Musalla mountain in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.

The 30-year-old had trekked up the 13,000ft (4,000m) with his friend Alun David Cooper Cledwyn on Saturday morning, but the pair separated during their descent. 

As the rescue operation clocked from one day and into two, Mr Harris's body was found at the bottom of a ravine in an area known as Paracha Jungle – a dense area not even locals visit. 

It is believed Mr Harris, who was an experienced endurance runner and trekker, slipped on a ridge and plummeted 200ft (70m) into the ravine. He was discovered with serious injuries.  

'He was found on the Paracha side by the Paracha Katha Stream. Locals don't even go down that trail, which is one of the reasons his body wasn't found for so long,' Javed Ali Noonari, an organiser of Mr Harris's running club Margalla Trail Runners, told the Daily Mail. 

'It's a very tough trail. But Alex was a great endurance runner, so possibly he couldn't see because of the mist. 

'We are still doubting the exact trail he took because that trail he fell down from was not a normal trail. Not even the local runners, hikers or trekkers go that side. The terrain can be difficult.' 

Mr Noonari said locals saw the pair of men at the peak of the mountain around 12.30pm – and reported they started their descent together. 

The men were spotted, and photographed with locals, still together around (3,250ft) 1,000m below the mountain's summit in an area called Gali. 

However, they are then believed to have gone separate ways at a point called Khori, with weather conditions making the descent more difficult.

'It was raining hard,' Mr Noonari, who described Mr Harris as a 'younger brother', said. 'The weather was misty and cloudy.' 

He continued: 'They separated either because one of them was quicker or accidentally because one of them thought the other was behind them.'

Mr Cledwyn reached the village of Mandagucha in Siran Valley, where the pair were staying, at around 5pm – but Mr Harris wasn't there. 

The friend, who is believed to also be British, contacted authorities and reported him missing. Police then started searching the remote mountains the next morning, joined by the running club. 

'Alex was most likely lost as his phone was dead and you can't get signal up there,' Mr Noonari said.

'He did, however, have his Garmin watch that has GPS on it. He probably slipped and there is a massive fall there from a cliff. It's probably around 200ft. 

'It was raining hard and cloudy so he probably slipped from the ridge side. It becomes a tricky terrain at times, so he probably lost balance and visibility because of the rain.

'He was found at the bottom with serious injuries, so I think he died suddenly. He couldn't have survived. I think he possibly died that day on Saturday in the evening.' 

It wasn't the first time Mr Harris had hiked up the Musa Ka Musalla, having climbed it up the other side in June 2024. 

'It isn't a dangerous route, it is a beautiful trail,' Mr Noonari said. 'Even beginners can do the normal trail. But if you go the wrong side of tree then the cliffs are quite steep and tricky. 

'He was possibly on the wrong side of the trail and possibly going in the wrong direction. He may not have known where he was going because of the mist and clouds.' 

The pair had, however, not told anyone they were climbing the mountain after arriving on Friday. 

Khalid Iqbal, the Mansehra deputy commissioner, told the BBC: 'The hotel had offered him a guide and police security, but he said that he knew the area and did not need any help.' 

'There was a difference in their speed,' Mr Iqbal added.

'[Mr Harris] was moving faster, he got about one to two kilometres ahead. Then it started raining.'

Mr Harris had been living in Pakistan's capital Islamabad where he worked for global advisory company Adam Smith International. 

Mr Noonari said he is 'heartbroken' by the loss of Mr Harris, adding: 'He was like a younger brother to me. 

'If there is one small comfort, it is knowing that Alex passed away in the mountains he loved so much. I truly hope my brother did not suffer too much.' 

He urged authorities to use the data on Mr Harris's watch to find out what really happened before he fell to his death.

'Having the Garmin data will make it clear for his family and all of us,' Mr Noonari said.

'We are still doubting which trail he took to get to where he did because it was not a normal trail where he fell. It would clear where he took a wrong turn.' 

Tributes have since poured in. The running group Islamabad Run with Us wrote: 'With deep sadness, we share that Alex's body has been found in Paracha Jungle.

'We are deeply saddened by this heartbreaking news. Our heartfelt condolences go out to Alex's family and friends during this difficult time.'

Running group Margalla Trail Runners wrote: 'Alex had a deep love for Pakistan, particularly its mountains. He was learning Urdu and was deeply fascinated by Pakistan's culture, people and traditions...

'We extend our deepest condolences to Alex's family, friends, fellow runners and everyone who knew him. May he rest in peace.'

Meanwhile, a spokesman for Adam Smith International said: 'He cared deeply for Pakistan, its people, its nature, and learned Urdu during his time there.

'We are deeply grateful to the hundreds of people who joined the search effort, including local residents, volunteers, police, rescue teams, forest department, members of Alex’s trail running community and the government of Pakistan that supported the operation.

'They searched tirelessly in difficult conditions, often in heavy rain, fog and poor visibility, over steep and challenging terrain.

'Our thoughts are with Alex’s family, friends and colleagues at this incredibly difficult time. We remain focused on supporting his family.'

A spokesman for the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office said: 'We are supporting the family of a British man who has died in Pakistan and are in contact with the local authorities.'

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