Four Pakistani women, international climbers summit Spantik Peak amid challenging conditions

Four women mountaineers from Pakistan's Gilgit-Baltistan region have achieved a significant feat by successfully summiting the 7,027-meter Spantik Peak. They were joined by a Romanian climber and a male climber from Punjab, completing the ascent without the assistance of high-altitude porters.

The Alpine Club of Pakistan confirmed the successful ascent and safe return of the four local women climbers to Skardu on Monday. The climbers included Shama Baqir and Samana Rahim from Shimshal Valley, Zooni Aslam from Gulmit Valley, and Zaiba Batool Shigri from Shigar district. Another member, Bismah Hassan from Lahore, had to descend due to a health issue when she was about 250 meters from the summit.

Alexandra Visan of Romania, who is battling cancer, also successfully climbed Spantik and returned safely. Her expedition was organized by Broad Boy Adventures, owned by Pakistani mountaineer Shehroze Kashif. Kashif described Visan's achievement as a testament to perseverance, noting that some climbs are about finding the strength to continue when life itself becomes the mountain.

Punjab climber Ayyan Adeel also summited Spantik, becoming the youngest climber to do so without high-altitude porter support, according to Kashif. He carried his own equipment with assistance from fellow expedition members Awais Choudary and Talha Khalid.

Despite these successes, deteriorating weather conditions have complicated recovery efforts for Dr. Asma Mushtaq, who died at an altitude of around 6,250 meters while descending. Her body remains at Camp 3. Rescue teams have been forced back by heavy rain and snowfall, with hopes pinned on improving weather on Tuesday for another attempt to bring her body down. Pakistan Army helicopters are expected to airlift the body to Skardu once it reaches base camp. Bad weather has also prevented helicopter operations for the body of American climber Sarah Mallory Geis on Broad Peak.

“

some climbs are about finding the strength to continue when life itself becomes the mountain.