Pakistani mountaineer Samina Baig successfully skied to the last degree of the South Pole, adding another historic feat to her adventure.
She was part of an international expedition organized by Elite Exped. The team left Pakistan on 2 December, reached Union Glacier on 6 December and Baig completed the journey on 14 December.
In a post on her Facebook page, Baig said she was deeply grateful and honored to have successfully skied to the last degree of the South Pole, describing it as part of her quest for the Explorer’s Grand Slam.
She said the ski trip had never been done by any Pakistani before and called it one of the most difficult and meaningful experiences of her life, adding that it was still difficult to put the experience into words.
“From summiting Mount Everest in 2013 to completing the Seven Summits, the highest mountains on each continent, from climbing K2 and Nanga Parbat to now reaching the South Pole, this journey has taken me across the highest mountains and most remote places on the planet,” added Baig.
“Each step has taught me patience, resilience and the power of belief.”
She further wrote that the journey, while difficult, “has been about trusting the dream, staying committed despite uncertainty, and continuing to move forward even when the path seems impossible.”
The climber expressed hope that her efforts would remind others, especially women, that dreams are worth pursuing, no matter how long they take.
“Carrying the flag of Pakistan and my Ismaili flag across mountains, continents and polar ice has been the greatest honor of my life. I remain grateful for every opportunity, every lesson and every person who has walked this journey with me,” she said.
Baig expressed gratitude to his community members for funding the expedition and thanked his team, family, fellow climber Nirmal Purja and Elite Expeditions for their support.
“Without their trust, encouragement and kindness, this trip would not have been possible. »
Namira Salim is the first Pakistani astronaut and also the first Pakistani to reach the North and South Poles. I received the Tamgha-i-Imtiaz in 2011 for his adventures.
Samina Baig is from this small village called Shimshal. In 2013, she became the first Pakistani woman to climb Everest. She is also the first Pakistani to participate in the Seven Summits: Everest, Kilimanjaro, McKinley, Mont Blanc, Elbrus, Aconcagua, Vinson, Puncak Jaya, all of them.
In 2010, she climbed this peak that no one had climbed before, Chashkin Sar, now called Samina Peak. The following year, she climbed another intact peak, named Koh-i-Brobar or Mount Equality.
In 2023, she and Naila Kiani became the first Pakistani women to climb Nanga Parbat, the ninth highest mountain in the world. And in 2022, she also conquered K2, arriving there just hours before Kiani.
