Naila Kiani becomes first Pakistani woman to summit 12 ‘eight-thousanders’

ISLAMABAD: Naila Kiani has made history by summiting Mount Kanchenjunga (8,586m), the third–highest mountain in the world, and is now the first Pakistani woman to climb 12 of the world‘s peaks above 8,000 meters.

“This is so much more than a climb, it‘s a historic achievement in Pakistani mountaineering and a cherished moment of national pride.

With two peaks remaining, Naila stands on the verge of joining an elite grouping of only 17 women in the world to have summited all 14 eight-thousanders,“ the Alpine Club of Pakistan said in a press release.

From the towering summits of Everest and K2 to the treacherous slopes of Annapurna and Lhotse, her journey embodies determination, resilience, and an unbeatable spirit. According to her expedition organizer, Imagine Nepal, Kiani summited Kanchenjunga at the dawn of Friday morning.

“Naila Kiani summited Kanchenjunga (8,586m) at 6:30 a.m. local time thus becoming Pakistan‘s leading female mountaineer with 12 eight-thousanders,“ said Dawa Futi Sherpa, Operations Director, Imagine Nepal.

Other Peaks

Everest (8,848m) K2 (8,611m) Broad Peak (8,047m) Nanga Parbat (8,125m) Gasherbrum I (8,068m) Gasherbrum II (8,035m) Annapurna (8,091m) Lhotse (8,516m) Manaslu (8,163m) Makalu (8,485m) Cho Oyu (8,188m) Kanchenjunga (8,586m).

This is not only a personal milestone for women in sports, but it is also a representation of empowerment, a glimmer of hope and inspiration for Pakistan, and an achievement for any climbing aficionado.