Shehroze Kashif, a 21-year-old Pakistani mountaineer, has set his sights on a new world record. He aims to be the youngest person to scale all 14 peaks above 8,000 meters before the end of 2023. Kashif has already climbed 11 of the peaks, with the latest being Mt. Annapurna 1 (8091-metre) in Nepal. He plans to take a break and return to his country to celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr with his family before attempting to summit Dhaulagiri (8,167m). Kashif has become the youngest person to summit K2 and Mount Everest, earning him Guinness World Records. His ascent of all 14 peaks will not only bring international attention to Pakistan but also inspire young people to pursue their dreams and passions, no matter how difficult they may appear.
Kashif’s interest in mountaineering began at the age of 11 when he climbed Makra Peak, followed by Musa ka Musalla and Chembra Peak at the age of 12. By age 17, he had climbed Broad Peak, earning him the nickname “The Broad Boy.” Kashif has climbed mountains throughout his teenage years, including Khurdopin Pass at age 15 and Khosar Gang in alpine style at age 18.
Kashif has faced several challenges in his career. In July 2022, he and Fazal Ali went missing between Camp 4 and Camp 3 after successfully summiting Nanga Parbat. The duo was discovered shortly after. Kashif’s perseverance, passion, and skill have made him an inspiration to young mountaineers worldwide. He believes that anyone, no matter how big or small, can achieve their dreams with hard work and dedication.
The 14 peaks above 8,000 meters, also known as the eight-thousanders, are regarded as the most difficult and dangerous in the world, with only a few climbers having successfully summited all of them. Kashif’s ambitious goal will require him to summit Shishipangma and Choyou, making him the youngest mountaineer to have achieved this feat.
Kashif’s parents and supporters gave him a farewell as he left for Nepal to attempt his next summits. Kashif’s father, Kashif Salman, said, “I always say Shehroze is a gifted human, and Allah has blessed him with powers so he can do extraordinary things.” Kashif’s mother was visibly emotional, saying that during his K2 summit, she asked if he missed home, to which he replied, “this is my home, mom,” pointing to the mountains.
In addition to bringing international attention to Pakistan, Kashif’s world-record ascent will inspire young people to pursue their dreams and passions. He hopes to become a role model for aspiring mountaineers worldwide and believes that hard work and dedication can help achieve any goal, no matter how difficult it may seem.
