ISLAMABAD: Pakistani mountaineer Asad Ali Memon has entered the history books by successfully climbing the highest peaks on all seven continents, a legendary challenge known as the “Seven Summits.”
Memon completed his monumental quest by conquering Carstensz Pyramid (Puncak Jaya) in Indonesia, the highest peak in Oceania. His journey to this pinnacle of mountaineering was a years-long endeavor marked by incredible perseverance.
His global conquest began in 2019 with the ascent of Mount Elbrus in Europe, followed by South America’s Aconcagua in 2020. He continued his streak in 2021 by climbing Africa’s Mount Kilimanjaro and then North America’s formidable Denali in 2022.
The year 2023 saw Memon achieve a lifelong dream for any climber: standing atop Mount Everest, the highest peak in Asia and the world. Earlier this year, he successfully scaled Mount Vinson, the highest point in Antarctica, setting the stage for his final and triumphant climb in Oceania.
With this final ascent, Asad Ali Memon has secured his place as one of Pakistan’s most accomplished mountaineers, bringing a proud moment for the nation on the global stage.
Mirza Ali Baig grew up and was raised in the remote village of Shimshal. After passing his 8th grade exams in the village, he moved to the town of Gulmit for high school. Mirza Ali while in high school worked with foreign trekking groups and expeditions as a porter. He had his first mountain climb at the young age of 16 at Mingligh Sar (6050m) in Shimshal Pamir. Since then he has lived out his love for the outdoors in multiple climbing expeditions, besides continuing his education in Karachi where he acquired his bachelor of Commerce from Karachi University.
Working in different capacity in tourism industry, he joined his other cousins to work as high altitude porter. He observed there are less local people exploring the mountains, valleys, passes and beautiful glaciers of Pakistan. He also didn’t find any major local expeditions or mountain related tours in Gilgit-Baltistan, most ironic he found women participation in outdoor sports such as mountain expeditions almost zero.
He also worked for women empowerment and gender equality through mountain adventure. His lifetime achievement was when his sister reached the summit of Mt. Everest on 19 May 2013 being the first female from Pakistan to do so.
