GILGIT: The promising young mountaineer from the remote mountain village of Shimshal lost his life in a tragic accident during ice climbing in northern Pakistan.
The incident occurred in the Khyber area of Gojal, Hunza, where winter conditions transform mountain faces into towering ice walls, attracting climbers seeking technical training. Shah Daulat, 31, was engaged in ice climbing practice alongside a foreign tourist when the fatal incident took place.
According to preliminary information shared by local authorities, the climber slipped while ascending an ice wall and plunged hundreds of metres down the slope. He sustained critical injuries and died at the site before any rescue intervention could reach him.
In this regard, the news of Shah Daulat’s death spread rapidly across Gilgit-Baltistan, where he was widely regarded as one of the region’s most disciplined and accomplished young climbers.
Despite his age, he had already left a strong mark on Pakistan’s high-altitude mountaineering scene, representing a new generation emerging from Shimshal a village known internationally for producing elite climbers.
So far, the fellow climbers describe Shah Daulat as calm, humble, and deeply committed to the mountains. The messages of condolence began pouring in from climbers, adventure athletes, and civil society members across the country.
Many mentioned his role in strengthening Pakistan’s reputation in global mountaineering circles. However, key details surrounding the circumstances of the climb, safety arrangements, and the broader impact of the loss on Pakistan’s mountaineering future remain unclear and are still emerging.
