Karachi:
Naila Kiani became the first Pakistani mountaineer to set foot on the Kanchenjunga peak, the third highest world mountain, while she continued her trip to evolve all the mountains 8,000 meters high, commonly called “ eight thousand ‘.
The peak of Kanchenjunga 8,586 meters high is the 12th eight thousand, reduced by Kiani. With two others, she would join the 17 Mountaineers of the world in the world which conquered the 14 eight thousand. She now views Cho Oyu and Shishapangma.
In just under three years, she became the first Pakistani woman at a top 11 of the 14 eight thousand – K2 (8,611m); Everest (8,848 m); Lhotse (8,516m); Makalu (8,485 m); Annapurna I (8,091m); In addition to Broad Peak, Manaslu, Dhaulagiri, Gasherbrum I and II and Nanga Parbat. In 2023 alone, she reached the extraordinary exploit of Summitting Seven 8,000 meters Peaks in just six months, placing it in the company of a handful of climbers in the world for having reached such a stage in a single climbing season.
Kiani, former banker and mother of two, is not only an climber but an environment activist, who inspires a generation of Pakistani women to dream beyond the limits. She is a passionate defender of sustainable climbing.
Previously, she led environmental campaigns, such as high altitude cleaning in K2, and a recovery mission for Pakistani Porter Muhammad Hassan Shigri, who closed her family in mourning, according to Bard Foundation, which supports Kiani expeditions.
“Naila represents the very spirit that we aim to nourish in Bard: resilience, courage and the unshakable pursuit of excellence.
