Foreign mountaineers undertake season's first climb in Gilgit-Baltistan

Pakistan is home to five of the world’s 14 highest mountains. Besides that, more than 100 peaks above 7,000 metres and as many above 6,000 are situated in Pakistan.

Every year, the country allures hundreds of climbers and adventurers from around the globe, who try to scale its dangerous peaks. But this year the impact of the pandemic has been devastating for mountaineering. 

An official of Alpine Club of Pakistan (ACP) has announced that first foreign expedition team of this summer has shown up in Pakistan to ascend 6500-metre high peak in Shimshal Valley of Gilgit-Baltistan.

“The five-member outfit is led by renowned German climber Felix Berg,” said ACP Secretary Karrar Haidri. According to Haidri, the unnamed mountain was located in an open area of Shimshal Valley and was hitherto unclimbed. “The Germans will be making its first-ever climb,” he said.

Haidri said that since the outbreak of COVID-19, it was the first expedition of the year.

“Some more European teams are expected to arrive in the next few days as the summer season is ending in September,” he added.

“Every year, several foreign mountaineering teams arrive in the country, which makes productive occupations for many local people in Gilgit-Baltistan (GB). But this year, these people have suffered badly due to the pandemic. Hopefully, the situation will improve for our people related to the mountaineering,” Haidri added.