On May 24, Naila Kiani achieved the feat of reaching the top of Kanchenjunga at 6:30 am local time, thereby establishing herself as Pakistan’s foremost woman mountaineer, boasting an impressive tally of 12 peaks exceeding eight thousand meters each.
The Pakistani mountaineer from Dubai is on the verge of becoming part of an exclusive group of just 17 women worldwide who have successfully climbed all 14 mountains exceeding 8,000 meters in height.
A Pakistani mountaineer from Dubai named Naila Kiani successfully climbed Kanchenjunga, the highest mountain in India at 8,586 meters tall. The news was shared by an organizer on Friday, showing pictures of Kiani waving a Pakistani flag atop the summit. According to ACP (Alpine Club of Pakistan), this achievement makes her the first Pakistani female to conquer 12 out of the world’s 14 mountains exceeding 8,000 meters in elevation. Furthermore, she is now closer than ever to becoming one of just 17 women globally to ascend all 14 ‘eight-thousanders.’ Her ascent up Kanchenjunga occurred early Friday morning, as reported by Imagine Nepal, the organization behind the expedition.
“Around 7:00 AM NPT, our remarkable team of 10 climbers triumphantly reached the peak of Kanchenjunga (8,586m), which stands as the planet’s third-tallest mountain,” stated Imagine Nepal via their Facebook page. “At 6:30 am local time, Naila Kiani achieved the summit of Kanchenjunga, thereby establishing herself as Pakistan’s foremost woman climber with twelve peaks over 8,000 meters under her belt,” reported Dawa Futi Sherpa from Imagine Nepal, who serves as the operations director for the organization, according to information shared by the Alpine Club of Pakistan.
The Pakistani club referred to this as a “significant landmark” in Pakistan’s climbing annals, marking a profound source of national pride. “Whether atop Mount Everest and K2 or navigating the treacherous inclines of Annapurna and Lhotse, her expedition narrates a compelling tale of determination, fortitude, and indomitable spirit,” stated the ACP.
This accomplishment goes beyond being merely personal; it serves as an emblem of empowerment for women in athletics, a source of encouragement and motivation for people in Pakistan, and a cause for celebration among all climbing aficionados. Previously, Kiani had reached the peaks of Mount Makalu (8,485m), Broad Peak (8,047 meters), Annapurna (8,091 meters), K2 (8,611 meters), Lhotse (8,516 meters), Gasherbrum I (8,068 meters), Gasherbrum II (8,035 meters), Nanga Parbat (8,125 meters), Mount Everest (8,849 meters), Manaslu (8,156 meters), and Cho Oyu (8,201 meters).
