First all-women Pakistani climbing team begins K2 summit attempt

A six-member team of Pakistani women climbers embarked on a historic mission to scale K2, the world’s second-highest peak, on June 24. Their goal is not only to reach the summit but also to challenge and break gender stereotypes in their country.

Team members: The team includes professional climbers Anum Uzair from Lahore; sisters Amina Hanif and Siddiqa Hanif from Hushe Valley in Gilgit-Baltistan’s Ghanche district; Bibi Afzoon and Sultana Nasab from Hunza in northern Pakistan; and Shama Baqir.

The 45-day expedition has been organized by Imagine Climb, a mountain trekking and climbing company led by renowned Pakistani climber Sirbaz Khan.

The expedition will be led by Sirbaz Khan, who is the first Pakistani to have climbed 11 of the world’s 14 highest peaks, and the only Pakistani to summit 11 eight-thousander (8000er) peaks without oxygen

The first all-women expedition for K2 has been organized by the Force Command of Northern Areas (FCNA) of the Pakistan Army.

Speaking to Arab News, Khan confirmed that all arrangements for the expedition were complete. Anum Uzair, the co-leader of the expedition, expressed her excitement about the journey. “Being part of an all-women team is incredibly empowering. It feels like we’re breaking barriers and challenging societal norms,” she said. “I believe we are paving the way for other women in Pakistan, showing them that they too can achieve great heights in any field they choose.”

Uzair and her husband, Ahmed Uzair, became the first Pakistani husband-wife duo to summit Nepal’s Mount Manaslu in September 2023. Uzair stated that the challenge of climbing K2 had always fascinated her.

“The inspiration came from a deep desire to push my limits, the allure of the mountain itself, and the opportunity to represent and inspire women in Pakistan,” she explained. “The idea of standing on the summit of K2, knowing the obstacles I’ve overcome, is incredibly motivating.”

Climbing Training

The climbers have been trained in basic climbing, rock climbing, got training on the ascent and descent on peaks and how to climb peaks with luggage at the Sadpara Mountaineering School in Skardu.

The team prepared for their journey with a one-week climbing training at Sadpara Mountaineering School earlier this month. Uzair highlighted the challenges of extreme weather conditions and high-altitude sickness.

“To overcome these, I have trained extensively in similar conditions, and being part of the team assembled by the Pakistan Army gives me a lot of comfort,” she shared. “We will also have a robust support system in place for emergencies.”

Amina Hanif, granddaughter of the legendary Pakistani climber Little Karim, noted that her family background in mountaineering eased her path.

“You can say we are genetically in this field, so there are no difficulties for me,” she said. “I have summited seven mountains in Pakistan, Spain, and Iran.” However, Hanif acknowledged the challenge posed by the “Bottleneck,” a hazardous section on K2’s climbing route. “If we manage to cross it, we will be able to summit K2, God willing.”

K2 – the Savage Mountain

K2, known as the “Savage Mountain,” is considered more challenging than Mount Everest. Many climbers have lost their lives attempting to summit this peak.

Hanif called on Pakistani men to support the women in their lives. “Please support them; they can do anything like men,” she said. Uzair echoed this sentiment, hoping that their achievement would convey that “nothing is impossible” for Pakistani women.

“With determination, hard work, and support, you can overcome any obstacle,” she said. “I hope to inspire young girls and women to dream big, pursue their passions, and believe in their potential.”

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