SKARDU: A team of women climbers from Gilgit-Baltistan has successfully scaled the 7,027-metre Spantik Peak without the support of high-altitude porters.
The climbers included two women from Gilgit-Baltistan, a female mountaineer from Romania and a male climber from Punjab. The team reached the summit and returned safely to Skardu on Monday, according to the Alpine Club of Pakistan.
The successful climbers included Shama Baqar and Samana Rahim from Shimshal Valley, Zoni Aslam from Gulmit Valley in Gojal, and Zeba Batool Shigri from Shigar district.
Bisma Hassan from Lahore also joined the expedition. However, she had to turn back about 250 metres below the summit after falling ill.
Meanwhile, Romanian climber Alexandra Visan reached the summit despite battling cancer. She also returned safely, marking a remarkable achievement in the challenging expedition.
The expedition was organised by Broad Boy Adventures, a company run by Pakistani mountaineer Shehroze Kashif.
Punjab-based climber Ayan Adil also summited Spantik Peak. According to Kashif, Adil became the youngest climber to reach the summit without the assistance of a high-altitude porter.
The achievements came amid difficult conditions on the mountain. Rescue efforts for doctor and mountaineer Asma Mushtaq, who died during her descent from the peak, have also faced severe weather.
Mushtaq died on Thursday at an altitude of around 6,250 metres while returning from the summit.
According to Alpine Club of Pakistan General Secretary Ayaz Shigri, a team of six high-altitude porters reached Camp 2 on Sunday. They then attempted to move towards Camp 3 but had to return because of heavy rain and snowfall.
However, the weather is expected to improve. The rescue team will then make another attempt to bring Mushtaq’s body to the base camp.
After that, authorities are expected to use a Pakistan Army helicopter to transport the body to Skardu.
The successful ascent by the climbers, despite harsh conditions and formidable challenges, highlights the growing strength, courage and determination of Pakistani mountaineers on some of the world’s most demanding peaks.
