Pakistani climbers successfully summit Spantik peak

GILGIT: Four Pakistani climbers successfully summited Spantik Peak, also known as Golden Peak, on Friday. This 7,027-meter peak is part of the Karakoram Range.

Their achievement marks the first successful ascent of the season, as confirmed by several tour operators.

The climbers who achieved this milestone are Asad Ali Memon from Larkana, Sindh; Muhammad Ameen from the Hushey Valley of Baltistan; Farrukh Razzaq Janjua from Jehlum, Punjab; and Jawahir Ali from the Arandu Valley of Baltistan.

Moreover, Ameen Hashevi, CEO of Karakoram Calling Treks, expressed pride in the team’s achievement, stating, “Congratulations to our team members and High Climbers who reached the summit of Spantik Golden Peak on August 9, 2024. Despite the challenges, the team triumphed over this majestic peak through determination and teamwork.”

He noted that Asad Ali Memon and Muhammad Ameen Hushey reached the summit at 6:19 AM while fixing ropes, demonstrating their leadership and technical skills.

Additionally, Ishaq Jan, Managing Director of High Mountains Treks & Tours, confirmed that his client Farrukh Razzaq, and his high-altitude guide, Jawahir Ali, reached the summit at 6:30 AM.

Jan emphasized that this ascent is the season’s first successful summit of Spantik and noted that it is the fourth time Jawahir Ali has conquered Golden Peak.

Asad Ali Memon has gained significant recognition for his climbing feats, including becoming the tenth Pakistani and the first from Sindh to summit Mount Everest, the world’s highest peak, in May 2023.

Memon is currently working towards the prestigious ‘Seven-Summit Challenge,’ which involves summiting the highest peak on each of the seven continents.

Most recently, he has successfully climbed five of these peaks: Mount Elbrus in Russia, Cerro Aconcagua in Argentina, Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, and Mount Denali in Alaska.

While Spantik is considered one of the more accessible 7,000-meter peaks in Pakistan due to its relatively fewer hazards and a shorter three-day approach, it remains a significant challenge.

It is a popular objective both as a destination in itself and as a preparatory climb for more demanding peaks.

The mountain was first successfully ascended by a German team in 1955, and various routes now lead to its summit.

However, this climbing season has been particularly perilous, with Spantik claiming the lives of three skilled Japanese mountaineers, highlighting the risks associated with high-altitude climbing.