On Monday, Naila Kiani and Shehroze Kashif, two Pakistani mountaineers, successfully summited Mount Annapurna, the tenth highest mountain in the world located in northwest Nepal. However, during their descent, the climbers were hindered by inclement weather, which led to their rescue the following day. They were stranded at an altitude of 7000m, but fortunately, they were successfully rescued by a helicopter dispatched from Kathmandu and taken to Annapurna Base Camp. Karrar Haidry, the secretary of the Alpine Club of Pakistan, confirmed that the rescue efforts were successful and thanked everyone for their support and assistance.
Naila Kiani’s achievement is noteworthy as she became the first woman from Pakistan to summit Mount Annapurna. Shehroze Kashif, on the other hand, is the youngest climber to have successfully summited 11 of the world’s 14, 8000-metre mountains. He aims to be the youngest person to summit all 14 peaks above 8000 metres.
Unfortunately, Indian climbers Anurag Maloo and Baljeet Kaur went missing earlier, and efforts are currently underway to locate and rescue them. It is essential to note that the risks involved in mountaineering cannot be overstated, and accidents and fatalities are not uncommon.
Annapurna is known to be one of the most dangerous of the 14 8000-meter peaks after K2. The south side of Annapurna is an intimidating ice face, and the north side includes large sections exposed to avalanches and falling seracs. This season’s conditions were particularly perilous, according to Mingma G, a climber from Nepal. The region experienced a drought throughout the winter, and now, it snows almost every day. This has resulted in deep snow, frequent avalanches, and several crevasses, which makes it even more challenging for climbers.
On a positive note, on Saturday, Sajid Sadpara from Pakistan summited Mount Annapurna without using supplementary oxygen, adding another feather to his cap. The accomplishment is a testament to the climber’s skill and preparation, as well as his ability to make quick and sound decisions while on the mountain.
In conclusion, mountaineering is a challenging and dangerous activity that requires a high level of skill, experience, and preparation. The success of Naila Kiani, Shehroze Kashif, and Sajid Sadpara is commendable, but we must also acknowledge the risks involved and the unfortunate accidents that can occur. It is essential to take all necessary precautions and exercise caution while attempting to summit mountains, especially during challenging conditions.
