DawnPKme_economyAug 25, 2026, 3:29 AMImpact 32.4

5 women from GB successfully summit Spantik

GILGIT: Four women mountaineers from Gilgit-Baltistan, joined by a Romanian climber and a male mountaineer from Punjab, successfully summited 7,027-metre Spantik Peak without the assistance of high-altitude porters, marking an inspiring achievement amid challenging conditions in the region. The Alpine Club of Pakistan confirmed that the four-member local women’s team reached the summit and safely returned to Skardu on Monday. The successful climbers were Shama Baqir and Samana Rahim of Shimshal Valley, Zooni Aslam of Gulmit Valley in Gojal, Upper Hunza, and Zaiba Batool Shigri of Shigar district. Bismah Hassan of Lahore was also part of the expedition but returned around 250 metres below the summit after experiencing a health issue. Bad weather hampers efforts to bring to Skardu bodies of Dr Asma Mushtaq and American climber Sarah Mallory Geis Alpine Club of Pakistan General Secretary Ayaz Shigri told Dawn that the women reached the summit either a day before or on the same day that climber Dr Asma Mushtaq died while descending from the mountain. He said weather conditions had been favourable at the peak before Friday, but subsequent deterioration created difficulties for rescue an