Four women mountaineers from Gilgit-Baltistan have successfully reached the summit of 7,027 metre Spantik Peak, one of Pakistan’s renowned high altitude climbing destinations.
The climbers were Shama Baqir, Samana Rahim, Zooni Aslam and Zaiba Batool Shigri, representing communities from Shimshal, Gojal and Shigar.
According to the Alpine Club of Pakistan, the four women completed the ascent and safely returned to Skardu.
The successful climbers bring strong local connections to some of Gilgit-Baltistan’s most celebrated mountain communities.
Shama Baqir and Samana Rahim are from Shimshal Valley, Zooni Aslam is from Gulmit Valley in Gojal, Upper Hunza, while Zaiba Batool Shigri is from Shigar district.
Their expedition required them to tackle the physical demands of climbing above 7,000 metres, where low oxygen, cold temperatures and unpredictable mountain weather can make even experienced ascents extremely challenging.
The wider Spantik expedition also included Romanian climber Alexandra Visan, who successfully reached the summit and descended safely.
Reports noted that Visan was undergoing cancer treatment, making her ascent an especially remarkable story of determination and resilience.
She was accompanied by local high altitude porter Ali Ameen of Shigar. Punjab based climber Ayyan Adeel also summited Spantik during the expedition period.
The successful summit came during a difficult period on Spantik. Dr Asma Mushtaq, another climber involved in the wider expedition, died while descending from the mountain at an altitude of around 6,250 metres.
Her body remained at Camp 3 as poor weather complicated recovery efforts. Heavy rain and snowfall also forced a team of high altitude porters attempting the recovery to retreat.
The incident served as a stark reminder that even experienced mountaineers face serious risks on Pakistan’s high peaks.
Four women mountaineers from Gilgit-Baltistan have successfully reached the summit of 7,027 metre Spantik Peak, one of Pakistan’s renowned high altitude climbing destinations.
Four women mountaineers from Gilgit-Baltistan have successfully reached the summit of 7,027 metre Spantik Peak, one of Pakistan’s renowned high altitude climbing destinations.
The climbers were Shama Baqir, Samana Rahim, Zooni Aslam and Zaiba Batool Shigri, representing communities from Shimshal, Gojal and Shigar.
According to the Alpine Club of Pakistan, the four women completed the ascent and safely returned to Skardu.
The successful climbers bring strong local connections to some of Gilgit-Baltistan’s most celebrated mountain communities.
Shama Baqir and Samana Rahim are from Shimshal Valley, Zooni Aslam is from Gulmit Valley in Gojal, Upper Hunza, while Zaiba Batool Shigri is from Shigar district.
Their expedition required them to tackle the physical demands of climbing above 7,000 metres, where low oxygen, cold temperatures and unpredictable mountain weather can make even experienced ascents extremely challenging.
The wider Spantik expedition also included Romanian climber Alexandra Visan, who successfully reached the summit and descended safely.
Reports noted that Visan was undergoing cancer treatment, making her ascent an especially remarkable story of determination and resilience.
She was accompanied by local high altitude porter Ali Ameen of Shigar. Punjab based climber Ayyan Adeel also summited Spantik during the expedition period.
The successful summit came during a difficult period on Spantik. Dr Asma Mushtaq, another climber involved in the wider expedition, died while descending from the mountain at an altitude of around 6,250 metres.
Her body remained at Camp 3 as poor weather complicated recovery efforts. Heavy rain and snowfall also forced a team of high altitude porters attempting the recovery to retreat.
The incident served as a stark reminder that even experienced mountaineers face serious risks on Pakistan’s high peaks.
