- Pakistani mountaineer Shehroze Kashif is set to become the first from his country to summit all 14 peaks over 8,000 meters, with Shishapangma as his final challenge.
- Kashif, who began climbing at age 11, has already scaled 13 of the world’s tallest mountains but faced delays due to financial constraints and mountain closures.
- Fellow climbers and mountaineers, including Anam Uzair and Naila Kiani, have expressed their support, emphasizing the significance of this achievement for Pakistan’s mountaineering community.
Pakistan’s renowned mountaineer, Shehroze Kashif, is preparing for an expedition to Tibet next week, aiming to be the first high-altitude climber from Pakistan to summit all 14 of the world’s tallest mountains, each towering above 8,000 meters. His final challenge will be Shishapangma, a peak that no Pakistani climber has conquered yet.
Currently based in Nepal, Kashif has already scaled 13 of the world’s highest peaks. His journey toward this incredible goal began nearly five years ago. Shishapangma, standing at 8,027 meters, is located in China, where climbers must obtain special permissions that can sometimes be difficult to secure.
“I started climbing when I was 11,” Kashif shared with Arab News during a phone interview from Nepal. “When I reached the summit of Broad Peak in 2019, I dreamed of being the youngest climber to complete all 14 peaks. Although other young climbers have entered the field since, I faced financial hurdles that slowed my progress.”
Kashif originally planned to conquer Shishapangma last year, but the mountain was closed after an accident claimed four lives. Now, with the summit reopened, he has arrived in Nepal and is ready to set off for Tibet. Kashif added that all his preparations are complete, and he feels both mentally and physically prepared for the challenge ahead.
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Reflecting on his mountaineering journey, Kashif identified Nanga Parbat in Pakistan as his most unforgettable climb. “We were declared dead while trapped at 7,800 meters,” he recalled. “That’s why Nanga Parbat holds a special place in my heart.”
Karrar Haidri, secretary-general of the Alpine Club of Pakistan, described this moment as a proud achievement for the country. “Shehroze is in Nepal and will soon set off to conquer Shishapangma,” he told Arab News, adding that another Pakistani climber, Sirbaz Khan, is also on track to summit the same peak.
The growing interest in mountaineering in Pakistan has been noted by other leading climbers, who have offered Kashif their best wishes. Anam Uzair, a Pakistani female climber who has summited Mt. Manaslu and Gasherbrum-II, praised Kashif’s determination: “Shehroze is fast, determined, and strong. I pray for his safe climb, and I believe he will achieve it this year, God willing.”
Naila Kiani, another prominent Pakistani mountaineer, highlighted the significance of this endeavor, noting that despite Pakistan being home to five of the world’s 14 peaks over 8,000 meters, no Pakistani has completed the feat of climbing them all. “This will be a monumental achievement, as two Pakistani climbers are on the verge of summiting all 14 peaks,” she said, pointing out that Sirbaz Khan has already climbed 11 peaks without using supplemental oxygen.
Pakistan is often regarded as a climber’s paradise, with an abundance of peaks exceeding 7,000 meters. Alongside Nepal, it attracts adventurers from around the world. Though the tourism industry in northern Pakistan faced challenges due to years of unrest, the region’s security has improved, particularly in Gilgit-Baltistan, continuing to draw trekkers and climbers to its stunning, untamed beauty.
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