This undated picture exhibits Pakistani mountaineer Naila Kiani elevating the nationwide flag after summiting a peak. — Reporter
KARACHI: Pakistan’s high and most profitable feminine mountaineer Naila Kiani has scaled Kanchenjunga, the world’s third-highest peak, marking her twelfth summit above 8,000 metres.
Along with her newest feat, Kiani has moved nearer to her dream of becoming a member of the elite group of ladies who’ve conquered all 14 of the world’s highest mountains.
Standing at 8,586m (28,169 ft), Kanchenjunga straddles the border between India and Nepal and can be the tallest peak in India. Nonetheless, it isn’t permitted to climb the mountain from the Indian aspect.
Naila Kiani started her remaining ascent from Camp IV on Thursday night and efficiently reached the summit at round 6am PKT, hoisting Pakistan’s flag on the high of the world’s third highest, Nepal’s second highest and India’s highest peak.
Based on her basecamp workforce, the ultimate summit push started at roughly 6:30pm PKT and continued by means of the night time in extreme high-altitude circumstances, together with intense snowfall and sub-zero temperatures.
Regardless of the challenges, Kiani remained agency and reached the summit, pushed by unshakable dedication.
“From Pakistan to Kanchenjunga, this summit is not just a personal milestone, it’s a message to every girl and woman in Pakistan and beyond: you are stronger than you think,” mentioned Kiani, in a message shared by way of her workforce. “I’m proud and I’m grateful, but the journey is far from over. Pakistan, this is for you.”
With this achievement, Kiani turns into the one Pakistani lady to summit 12 of the 14 peaks above 8,000m.
She is now two summits away from becoming a member of simply 17 girls worldwide who’ve accomplished the problem. Solely Shishapangma and Dhaulagiri stay for her to make historical past.
She started her high-altitude climbing profession in 2021 by summiting Gasherbrum II. Since then, she has conquered a few of the world’s most formidable peaks, together with K2 (2022), Gasherbrum I (2022), Annapurna (2023), Mount Everest (2023), Lhotse (2023), Nanga Parbat (2023), Broad Peak (2023), Cho Oyu (2023) and Mount Makalu (2024).
Kiani can be the one Pakistani lady to have summited all 5 peaks of over 8,000m inside Pakistan. She additionally holds the file of being the primary Pakistani lady on at the least 9 peaks of over 8,000m on the planet. This feat makes her the undisputed main feminine climber of the nation.
Her relentless pursuit of mountaineering excellence has made her a logo of perseverance for ladies in Pakistan and past.
