GILGIT: Pakistani mountaineer, tourist and travel video maker Asma Mushtaq has died after falling ill at high altitude while returning from an expedition to Spantik Peak in the Karakoram range, officials and expedition organisers said.
Mushtaq was recently part of an expedition to scale the 7,027-metre-high Spantik Peak — also known as Golden Peak — located in the Spantik-Sosbun sub-range of the Karakoram.
According to reports, she successfully reached the summit along with her guide Ali Akbar and was in good health at the time.
However, her condition deteriorated due to high altitude while descending from the peak. Her guide provided first aid on the spot, but she could not survive.
Relevant agencies are being contacted to bring back her body, while the expedition’s organising company, Karakoram Calling Treks, is said to be in contact with the relevant authorities to make necessary arrangements.
Born on February 7, 1992, Asma Mushtaq was known in the mountaineering and travel community for her deep love for mountains and passion for adventure. She had built a following through her tourism and travel videos highlighting the natural landscapes of northern Pakistan.
Following news of her death, social media users expressed deep sorrow and grief and offered prayers for the deceased. Many remembered her for her love for mountains, natural landscapes and travel, while others noted that altitude sickness can be dangerous and that timely medical attention is critical in high-altitude expeditions.
Further details regarding the repatriation of her body and funeral arrangements are awaited.
