In a remarkable achievement for Pakistani mountaineering, Saad Munawar has become the first climber from the country to reach the summit of Mount Everest from its northern face, standing at 8,848.86 meters. His successful ascent on Saturday marks a significant milestone in Pakistan’s climbing history.
Earlier this month, two other Pakistani mountaineers also achieved notable summits. Sajid Ali Sadpara reached the summit of Dhaulagiri, the seventh highest peak globally, on May 11 without the use of supplemental oxygen or porters. Shortly after, Sirbaz Khan accomplished the ascent of Kangchenjunga, the third tallest mountain, on May 18, also without supplemental oxygen.
Munawar confirmed his accomplishment through a post on his official Facebook page, stating that he raised the national flag at the summit. He reported that he safely descended to Camp 3 after the climb and requested prayers for a secure return to base camp in the following days.
The route Munawar took to summit Everest’s northern face begins in Tibet, which is less commonly used than the more popular ascent from the Nepalese side. This year, Chinese authorities only began issuing permits for climbers to take this route, adding to the uniqueness of Munawar’s achievement. The northern approach also allows climbers to avoid the perilous Khumbu Icefall, typically encountered on the south side, making it a somewhat safer option.
Mingma G, the head of the Imagine Nepal expedition team that guided Munawar, indicated that he was part of a group of nine international climbers who successfully summited on the same day.
Karrar Haidri, Secretary of the Alpine Club of Pakistan, publicly lauded Munawar’s historic accomplishment, expressing pride in his achievement and recognizing him as a leading figure in Pakistan’s adventure sports community. His previous climbs include notable summits such as Aconcagua, the highest peak outside of Asia, showcasing his rapid rise in high-altitude mountaineering.
The expedition team also celebrated the achievements of other climbers, including three women. Dr. Simone Molter from Germany reached her first 8,000-meter peak, while Angela Yeung from South Africa aimed to raise awareness and funds for survivors of gender-based violence through her foundation. Chhiri Aangjum Sherpa from Nepal completed her fourth continental summit, serving as an inspiration to many.
Other climbers in the group included Justin Moore Walker from the United States, alongside several Sherpas, further highlighting the collaborative spirit of mountaineering in the region.
