Over 1400 int’l climbers apply to attempt scale Pakistan peaks

News Desk

ISLAMABAD: The popularity of Pakistan’s captivating mountains is growing across the globe at a rapid pace. For the first time in recent history, over 1400 international climbers have applied to attempt its 6,000 to 8,000-metre peaks, this summer.

“This number is quite staggering as compared to last year when 550 climbers tried their luck,” Alpine Club of Pakistan (ACP) Secretary KarrarHaidrisaid on Wednesday.  “Several teams have arrived in Pakistan, while multiple outfits have already set off on the trekking mission,” he added.

According to Haidri, around 57 expeditions across 23 peaks with a combined total of 672 climbers [576 male and 96 female] had been issued permits. “So far, the permits have been issued till August. But as the summer season will continue till September, the rest of the expeditions will get permits with due course of time,” he added.

ACP Secretary said a stunning 400 international climbers will be attempting K2 this season.  “This is quite encouraging as with such a large number of mountaineers in our country, we are in a position now to lead on the global climbing stage,” he added.  Five of the 14 above 8000m peaks in the world, including the world’s second-highest peak K2 (8,611m), Nanga Parbat (8,126m), Gasherbrum I (8080m), Broad Peak (8051m), and Gasherbrum II (8,035m) are located in Pakistan.