Pakistani Women Climbers Summit Bari La Peak in GB
Pakistani women climbers made history when they successfully summited the 5,400-meter Bari La peak in Gilgit-Baltistan. The all-women expedition, organized to mark the Golden Jubilee of the Alpine Club, included participants from all provinces of Pakistan as well as Gilgit-Baltistan, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, and Islamabad. This landmark achievement not only highlighted women’s empowerment but also showed the growing role of women in adventure sports in Pakistan.
Historic All-Women Expedition
The first-ever all-women mountaineering expedition summited Bari La peak, marking a milestone in the country’s adventure sports. The 10-member team comprised climbers from across Pakistan:
- Bibi Afzon and Zeeba Batool from Gilgit-Baltistan
- Bismah Hasan and Iqra Jillani from Punjab
- Madeeha Syed from Sindh
- Mona Khan from Azad Jammu and Kashmir
- Marya Bangash from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
- Shahreen Khan and Amina Shabbir from Islamabad
- Laraib Batool from Balochistan
Vice President of the Alpine Club, Karrar Haidri, called it a moment when “history was written in the high mountains of Pakistan.”
Training Before the Climb
Before embarking on their challenging journey, the climbers trained at the Sadpara Mountaineering Training School under the guidance of renowned mountaineers Sajid Sadpara and Ashraf Sadpara.
The guiding team also included Sajid, Arshaf, Fida Ali, and Shareef Sadpara, who ensured the climbers were prepared for the harsh conditions of Bari La peak.
Alpine Club of Pakistan: http://alpineclub.org.pk
Challenges on the Expedition
The climb tested the limits of the team, both physically and mentally. For six members, this was their first-ever peak above 5,000 meters. Despite nervousness and altitude sickness, their determination carried them through.
Documentary filmmaker Madeeha Syed, who had previously summited Mt. Kilimanjaro, was forced to turn back at 5,000 meters due to illness. She explained how Sajid Sadpara set ropes that helped the rest of the team reach the true summit of Bari La at 5,400 meters.
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Breaking Barriers for Women
Alpine Club Pakistan described the success as more than just a climb. It was a statement of resilience, empowerment, and equality.
“With equal representation from all provinces and regions, these women proved that Pakistan’s daughters can rise to any peak,” said Karrar Haidri.
This achievement is expected to inspire more Pakistani women climbers to take part in future expeditions, breaking traditional barriers.
Stories of Courage
- Bibi Afzon (Zoni) had already been part of a K2 women’s expedition last year.
- Zeeba Batool is a professional rock-climbing instructor from Shigar.
- Bisma Hasan is a mountain and tour guide.
- Mona Khan, a journalist from Islamabad, shared how surreal it felt to be on the summit, describing it as “a dream come true.”
National Recognition
The historic expedition also caught the attention of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who congratulated the climbers and invited them to the PM House to honor their courage and determination.
Impact on Adventure Sports
This milestone reflects a turning point for women in adventure sports in Pakistan. It highlights the country’s vast potential for mountaineering tourism while encouraging more women to pursue challenging outdoor sports.
The Alpine Club stated:
“In the years to come, the mighty mountains of Pakistan will echo with the footsteps of women who dare to dream.”
Conclusion
The success of the Bari La expedition proved that Pakistani women climbers are ready to make their mark in mountaineering. Their courage and unity not only inspired the nation but also opened the door for future generations of women to pursue adventure sports and represent Pakistan on the world stage.
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