PAKISTAN: When Climbing is a Joy!

Written by Muhammad Omar Iftikhar • November 2011

Mountain climbing is no longer exclusive to men. Pakistani women are also ready to participate - and break records. Pakistan is home to some of the most breathtaking natural environments known to man. This beauty attracts tourists from all over the world. Situated in the Gilgit-Baltistan area, the Himalayan Mountain Range is one of the premier trekking zones today. Mountaineers from all over the world accept the towering stance of these mountains as a challenge to climb up the snow-covered summits.

In our part of the world, mountain climbing or trekking is considered to be a man’s world and women aren’t encouraged to go on such expeditions, even if it’s only a couple of thousand feet. But this mindset is changing and it should, because Pakistani girls too, are engaging in mountain trekking and boldly tackling hostile environments just like their male counterparts.

In 2010, eighteen year old Samina Baig, belonging to Shimshal, created history by climbing Chashkin Sar, in the Karakorum mountain range, to an altitude of 5,525 meters in the dead of winter. Earlier this year, eight Shimshali girls added their names to history books by going on the first ever Pakistani women expedition, touching an altitude of 6.050 meters. The destination was Mingligh Sar peak and their passion for adventure defeated winds blowing at 30 km/hour and temperatures dropping to minus 38 degrees centigrade. The eight girls were Hafiza Bano, 16, Hamida Bibi, 18, Mera Jabeen, 21, Gohar Nigar, 22, Farzana Faisal, 22, Tokht Bika, 23, Shakila Numa, 25 and Dur Begum, 30. These girls were trained at the Shimshal Mountaineering School and prepared themselves for the nerve-wracking winter climb. The youngest girl in this team of eight, Hafiza Bano, 16, became the youngest Pakistani to climb Mingligh Sar in the winter while in 2006, Farzana Faisal, 22, became the first Pakistani girl to climb Mingligh Sar in the summer. Dur Begum, 30, climbed the same summit in 2007. These girls were accompanied by their instructors Shaheen Baig, Rehmatullah Baig, Qudrat Ali and Wahab Ali Shah.

The opinion that women are not fit for mountaineering expeditions is changing. Women climbers from urban areas are also proving their mettle as trekkers. One example is of Hina Ali, a media professional living in Karachi and an adventurist by passion. Hina went on her very first mountaineering trek in July 2010. She says that any woman who is healthy and has the will to go on such expeditions can make it to the top and back safely. Trekking adventures where the target is the base camp requires one to keep on walking. “One gets very thirsty by climbing uphill but there is always a stream of fresh water around you. Drink, fill your bottle and move on!” says Hina, who went to the base camp of Nanga Parbat, Fairy Meadows, at 3,300 meters height followed by her trek to Beyal Camp at 3,500 meters and eventually climbing Nanga Parbat to 3,500 meters. She was amazed to see locals cooperating with her entire group.

Hina said that there are no schools that offer crash courses for mountain climbers. “Although trekking is not a science, it requires a certain degree of stamina and strength, especially for first-timers,” she added. In Hina’s opinion, it’s better for first-time trekkers to go with friends or acquaintances who keep you motivated throughout the climb. Women are considered to be the tender gender, but Pakistani females are certainly proving that they have the grit by demonstrating that they can go exploring the world thousands of feet up and prove that what men can do, women can do better!