As Samina Baig on Friday summited the colossal 8,611-metre high K2 and became the first ever Pakistani mountaineer to scale the second highest mountain in the world K2, better known as the ‘Killer or Savage mountain’ for every 4 climbers that reach the top of this mountain, one dies trying, Samina’s colleague Naila Kiani reached the top, becoming the second mountaineer from Pakistan that achieved this extraordinary achievement.
K2 has the reputation of being the world’s most difficult mountain and one of the most dangerous. Also K2’s weather is notorious for its unpredictability and sudden development trapping climbers high on steep slopes. High winds can develop sweeping climbers off the high ridges, heavy snowfall can destroy fixed lines and escape routes plus accelerate the avalanche danger. No wonder on Spanish climber famously said “You summit Mount Everest, you touch the sky, you summit K2, you touch the sky and win it”.
Several other climbers from various countries, including female climbers from Oman, Lebanon, Iran, and Taiwan summited the peak on Friday morning.
The summit push started late last night as soon as rope fixing teams completed their jobs and the first group reached atop K2 at around 3am in the night.
The team of Pakistan’s 31-year-old climber Samina Baig confirmed that she, along with other Pakistani mountaineers, summitted K2 at 7:42am PST on Friday.
Samina Baig comes from a remote village of Gilgit valley Shimshal. In 2013, she became the first Pakistani woman to scale the world’s highest peak, Mount Everest.
The other members to climb with Samina include Eid Muhammad, Bulbul Karim, Ahmed Baig, Rizwan Dad, Waqar Ali and Akber Hussain Sadpara.
Less than three hours after Samina’s feat, Pakistan’s Naila Kiani reached the top.
“Yes, Allhamdolillah,” Naila texted this correspondent, via a satellite communication device confirming her summit.
Pakistan’s Sohail Sakhi and Sirbaz Ali Khan also summited K2 along with Naila.
She was joined by USA’s Kristin A. Bennett, Norway’s Frank Loke and Canada’s Liliya Ianovskia. They were supported by a team of mountain guides that include Pakistan’s Fida Ali along with Nepal’s Pema Chhiring Sherpa, Dawa Ongju Sherpa, Pemba Tasi Sherpa, Dawa Dorchi Sherpa, Dawa Wongju Sherpa and Pemba Dorchee Sherpa.
