Samina Khayal Baig

Eighteen-year old Samina Khayal Baig recently pioneered a first ascent of Chashkin Sar (6,400m) in Shimshal, a remote valley in Pakistan's Hunza region. A trailblazer for Pakistani female climbers, Samina talks with ExWeb's Amanda Padoan about how she got started and why K2 is her ultimate goal.ExWeb: Of all the unclimbed peaks in the region, why did you choose Chashkin Sar?Samina: Chashkin Sar has been my favorite peak since childhood.

Pakistan is home to five of the world's 8,000-meter peaks (there are 14 in all) and looms large in climbing history. Despite this, no Pakistani woman has ever ascended a major peak in her home country. Cultural beliefs and economic realities mean that for Pakistani girls, mountain climbing has been reserved for boys—until now. In August, Samina "Khayal" Baig, an 18-year-old Pakistani girl, ascended a previously unclimbed 6,400-meter mountain in the Hunza-Glingit region of Pakistan. Samina was accompanied by a team that included her brother, Mirza Ali, and a Romanian documentary filmmaker, Stelian Pavalache. A documentary about the ascent is forthcoming.

amina's expedition was a project of Pakistan Youth Outreach, which promotes mountaineering and women adventurers. A major goal of the group is to have a Pakistani woman climb Mt. Everest. Two other organizations that do great work in Pakistan are the Central Asia Institute, which educates children (especially girls) in impoverished areas; and Mercy Corps, which is on the ground now in Pakistan helping with flood relief efforts.

Karakoram spires are setting the scene for young guns to show their true colors. In this case, news is even better as it is a local female rising star which has bagged her first ascent. At only 18, Samina Khayal (Officially Samina Baig) summited the previously unclimbed Chashkin Sar (6,400m) in Shimshal, in the Hunza-Giligit region.

Along her Brother Mirza Ali (Leader), Stelian Pavalache ( Film Maker and Photographer – Romania ), Tafat Shah, Yahya Baig, Salamat Khan and Arshad Karim.
Samina Khayal is dweller of Shimshal village, land of peerless mountaineers and well known HP's.


The project concept was made by Mirza Ali, founding President of Pakistan Youth Outreach, a youth mountaineering education, awareness and women adventure promotion program.
The project main objective was to make a documentary to promote women adventure in Pakistan, for that reason, Pakistan Youth Outreach and Satwa Guna Illusion of Forms Project (Stelian Pavalache), made a joint venture, to make the documentary about Shimshali people and first Pakistani girl to climb a 6400m, unclimbed peak in the shimshal karakorum.The peak has been renamed Samina Peak.

K 2 PAKISTAN( 2nd highest peak )

Add caption

K2 peak, locally known by the name of "Chogo Ri", which means "The Great Mountain", 8,611m, is the 2nd highest mountain in the world. K2 is placed on the Pakistan - China border in the mighty Karakoram range.

With no simple routes, K2 is known as the finest and most dangerous mountain in the world. This is because of the massiveness in the size of this mountain and the numerous unsuccessful attempts made on it by various expeditions, which include mostly American expeditions.

K2 is a rocky mountain up to 6,000m, beyond which it becomes an ocean of snow. The traditional route to K2's base camp goes from Skardu, which is linked with Islamabad by a good road. From Skardu the route goes via Shigar-Dassu-Askole up to Concordia over the Baltoro glacier.

K2 was firstly discovered and measured by the Survey of India in 1856, and first named for English topographer Henry Godwin - Austen, who explored and surveyed the region.

K2 is taken from the first letter of Karakorum, and the number indicates that it was the second peak in the range to be measured. K2 was firstly climbed on July,31 1954 by Italian climbers team lead by Ardito Desio and accompanying him were Lino Lacedelli and Achille Compagnoni. A March 1987 measurement of K2 indicated that it might be higher than Everest, but later that year, Everest was re-measured by a similar method and found to indeed be 778 ft (237m) taller.

Another American attempt on the K2 was made in 1953. The expedition leader was Dr. Charles Houston, who had also led the 1938 American expedition on this peak. Dr. Houston, medical professor, is noted for his contribution to research on the effects of high altitude on human body and diseases originating from such effects. One Pakistani, late Colonel M. Ataullah, Vice President, Karakoram Club of Pakistan, accompanied the party.

In 1954, an Italian expedition came to Pakistan to try its luck on K2.Colonel M. Ataullah and Arshad Munir accompanied the expedition from Karakoram Club of Pakistan.

Pakistan: Shimshal Mountaineering School ladies ready for the Karakoram winter: First Pakistani women expedition underway

Highly motivated after topping-out Chaskin Sar this past summer, Pakistani 18-year-old female climber Samina Baig is ready to face the winterly Karakoram. The goal is Mingligh Sar (6,050m). Samina will team up again with her brother Mirza Ali, former army climber Yausaf Khan, K2 climber Ali Musa and fellow female American member, Jennifer Rawlins. Off next weekThe team will set off from their home village in Shimshal Valley on December 1. They will establish Base Camp at Shujrave at about...

S #	Mountain	Height	Range	Group	District
1	Chogori/K-2	8,611	Karakoram	Boltoro	Skardu
2	Nanga Parbat	8,125	Himalayas	Diamer	Diamer
3	Gasherbrum No. I/Hidden Peak	8,068	Karakoram	Boltoro	Skardu
4	Falchan Kangri / Broad Peak	8,047	Karakoram	Boltoro	Skardu
5	Gasherbrum No. II	8,035	Karakoram	Boltoro	Skardu
6	Broad Peak Middle/Central	8,016	Karakoram	Boltoro	Skardu
7	Gasherbrum No. III	7,952	Karakoram	Boltoro	Skardu
8	Gasherbrum No.lV	7,925	Karakoram	Boltoro	Skardu
9	Distaghil Sar Main	7,885	Karakoram	Hispar	Gilgit
10	Kunyang Chhish/Main	7,852	Karakoram	Hispar	Gilgit
11	Masherbrum NE/ (K-1)	7,821	Karakoram	Bagrot	Gilgit
12	Masherbrum	7,806	Karakoram	Bagrot	Gilgit
13	Rakaposhi	7,788	Karakoram	Bagrot	Gilgit
14	Batura No. I	7,785	Karakoram	Batura Mustagh	Gilgit
15	Batura II	7,762	Karakoram	Batura Mustagh	Gilgit
16	Distaghil Sar No. II	7,760	Karakoram	Hispar	Gilgit
17	Kanjut Sar No. I	7,760	Karakoram	Hispar	Gilgit
18	Masherbrum W	7,750	Karakoram	Boltoro	Skardu
19	Saltoro Kangri No. I	7,742	Karakoram	Soltoro	Gaunche
20	Batura No. II	7,730	Karakoram	Batura Mustagh	Gilgit
21	Batura III	7,729	Karakoram	Batura Mustagh	Gilgit
22	Trivor / Peak No. 8	7,720	Karakoram	Hispar	Gilgit
23	Tirich Mir (Main)	7,708	Hindukush	Hindukush	Chitral
24	Saltoro Kangri II	7,706	Karakoram	Soltoro	Gaunche
25	Chhaltoro Gang R1 N	7,705	Karakoram	Soltoro	Gaunche
26	Distaghil Sar (E)	7,700	Karakoram	Hispar	Gilgit
27	Tirich Mir (East)	7,692	Hindukush	Hindukush	Chitral
28	Saser Kangri I	7,672	Karakoram	Siachen (disputed)	Gaunche
29	Chogolisa No. I SW/E	7,665	Karakoram	Boltoro	Skardu
30	Chogolisa No. II/NE	7,654	Karakoram	Boltoro	Skardu
31	Yukshin Garden Sar	7,641	Karakoram	Hispar	Gilgit
32	Kunyang Chhich(S)	7,620	Karakoram	Hispar	Gilgit
33	Shispare	7,611	Karakoram	Batura Mustagh	Gilgit
34	Batura IV	7,594	Karakoram	Batura Mustagh	Gilgit
35	Broad Peak (N)	7,550	Karakoram	Boltoro	Skardu
36	Skyang Kangri No.I	7,544	Karakoram	Boltoro	Skardu
37	Batura V	7,531	Karakoram	Batura Mustagh	Gilgit
38	Yakshin Gardaan No. I	7,530	Karakoram	Hispar	Gilgit
39	Mamostong Kangri	7,516	Karakoram	Soltoro	Gaunche
40	Saser Kangri E	7,513	Karakoram	Siachen (disputed)	Gaunche
41	Tirich Mir (West II)	7,500	Hindukush	Hindukush	Chitral
42	Skyang Kangri No. II	7,500	Karakoram	Boltoro	Skardu
43	Kunyang Chhish (W)	7,500	Karakoram	Hispar	Gilgit
44	Saser Kangri II W	7,500	Karakoram	Siachen (disputed)	Gaunche
45	Saser kangri III	7,495	Karakoram	Siachen (disputed)	Gaunche
46	Pumari Chhish (W)	7,492	Karakoram	Hispar	Gilgit
47	Tirich Mir (West I)	7,487	Hindukush	Hindukush	Chitral
48	Pasu Massive M	7,478	Karakoram	Batura Mustagh	Gilgit
49	K-12	7,469	Karakoram	Soltoro	Gaunche
50	Teram kangri 1	7,463	Karakoram	Siachen (disputed)	Gaunche
51	Malubiting (W)_	7,453	Karakoram	Haramosh	Gilgit
52	Muchu Chhish	7,453	Karakoram	Hispar	Gilgit
53	Pumari Chhish (N)	7,440	Karakoram	Hispar	Gilgit
54	Yazghil Dome (S)	7,440	Karakoram	Hispar	Gilgit
55	Sia Kangri No I / N	7,422	Karakoram	Boltoro	Skardu
56	Haramosh No. I	7,409	Karakoram	Haramosh	Gilgit
57	Teram Kangri II	7,406	Karakoram	Siachen (disputed)	Gaunche
58	Istro-Nal (Main)	7,403	Hindukush	Hindukush	Chitral
59	Tirich Mir (West III)	7,400	Hindukush	Hindukush	Chitral
60	Kunyang Chhish (E)	7,400	Karakoram	Hispar	Gilgit
61	Pumari Chhish (S)	7,400	Karakoram	Hispar	Gilgit
62	Yazghil Dome (N)	7,400	Karakoram	Hispar	Gilgit
63	Ultar No. I	7,388	Karakoram	Batura Mustagh	Gilgit
64	Rimo (S) No. I Peak 51	7,385	Karakoram	Siachen (disputed)	Gaunche
65	Teram Kangri III	7,382	Karakoram	Siachen (disputed)	Gaunche
66	Sherpi Kangri I Main	7,380	Karakoram	Soltoro	Gaunche
67	Istro-Nal (North I)	7,373	Hindukush	Hindukush	Chitral
68	Rimo (S) No. II P-50	7,373	Karakoram	Siachen (disputed)	Gaunche
69	Istro-Nal (North II)	7,372	Hindukush	Hindukush	Chitral
70	Sherpi Kangri No. II	7,370	Karakoram	Soltoro	Gaunche
71	Istro-Nal (North III)	7,365	Hindukush	Hindukush	Chitral
72	Skil Brum	7,360	Karakoram	Boltoro	Skardu
73	Skyang Kangri M	7,357	Karakoram	Boltoro	Skardu
74	Karun Kuh	7,350	Karakoram	Hispar	Gilgit
75	Kunyang Chhish W	7,350	Karakoram	Hispar	Gilgit
76	Pumari Chhish S	7,350	Karakoram	Hispar	Gilgit
77	Saragharar (Main)	7,349	Hindukush	Hindukush	Chitral
78	Skyang Kangri W	7,345	Karakoram	Boltoro	Skardu
79	Momhil Sar / Peak - 7	7,343	Karakoram	Hispar	Gilgit
80	Ghent (N)	7,342	Karakoram	Batura Muztagh	Gilgit
81	Saraghrar (Central)	7,330	Hindukush	Hindukush	Chitral
82	Yutmaru Sar (S)	7,330	Karakoram	Hispar	Gilgit
83	Bojohagur Duanasir	7,329	Karakoram	Batura Mustagh	Gilgit
84	Sia Kangri No II/E	7,325	Karakoram	Boltoro	Skardu
85	Yazghil Domes S	7,324	Karakoram	Boltoro	Skardu
86	Gasherbrum No. V	7,321	Karakoram	Boltoro	Skardu
87	Kunyang Chhish (SE)	7,320	Karakoram	Hispar	Gilgit
88	Malanghutti	7,320	Karakoram	Hispar	Gilgit
89	Baltoro Kangri No. I	7,312	Karakoram	Boltoro	Skardu
90	Ultar No. II	7,310	Karakoram	Batura Mustagh	Gilgit
91	Saragharar (S)	7,307	Hindukush	Hindukush	Chitral
92	Istro-Nal (South)	7,303	Hindukush	Hindukush	Chitral
93	Saraghrar (NW)	7,300	Hindukush	Hindukush	Chitral
94	Istro-Nal (West I)	7,300	Hindukush	Hindukush	Chitral
95	Urdok No. I	7,300	Karakoram	Boltoro	Skardu
96	Baltoro Kangri No. III	7,300	Karakoram	Boltoro	Skardu
97	Malubiting (NW)	7,300	Karakoram	Haramosh	Gilgitt
98	Yazghil Domes N	7,300	Karakoram	Hispar	Gilgit
99	Sherpi Kangri No. III	7,300	Karakoram	Siachen (disputed)	Gaunche
100	Teram kangri IV	7,300	Karakoram	Siachen (disputed)	Gaunche
101	Malubiting Central	7,291	Karakoram	Haramosh	Gilgit
102	Rakapohsi (E)	7,290	Karakoram	Bagrot	Gilgit
103	Savoia Kangri	7,286	Karakoram	Boltoro	Skardu
104	Baintha Brakk/Ogre	7,285	Karakoram	Panmah	Skardu
105	Passu/Peak No. 55	7,284	Karakoram	Batura Mustagh	Gilgit
106	Pasu Massiv E	7,284	Karakoram	Batura Muztagh	Gilgit
107	K-6	7,282	Karakoram	Siachen (disputed)	Gaunche
108	Istro-Nal (West II)	7,280	Hindukush	Hindukush	Chitral
109	Baltoro Kangri No. III	7,280	Karakoram	Boltoro	Skardu
110	Istro-Nal (Northwest)	7,276	Hindukush	Hindukush	Chitral
111	Golden Throne SE	7,275	Karakoram	Boltoro	Skardu
112	Golden Throne NW	7,274	Karakoram	Boltoro	Skardu
113	Diran /Minapin	7,273	Karakoram	Bagrot	Gilgit
114	Mustagh Tower (E)	7,273	Karakoram	Boltoro	Skardu
115	Sia Kangri No. IV/Central	7,273	Karakoram	Boltoro	Skardu
116	Mustagh Tower (W)	7,270	Karakoram	Boltoro	Skardu
117	Golden Throne NE	7,270	Karakoram	Boltoro	Skardu
118	Golden Throne SE	7,265	Karakoram	Boltoro	Skardu
119	Summari	7,263	Karakoram	Boltoro	Skardu
120	Baltoro kangri No. V	7,260	Karakoram	Boltoro	Skardu
121	Baltoro Kangri No. IV	7,254	Karakoram	Boltoro	Skardu
122	Saraghrar (SW-I)	7,250	Hindukush	Hindukush	Chitral
123	Apsarasas-1	7,245	Karakoram	Siachen (disputed)	Gaunche
124	Apsarasas II	7,239	Karakoram	Siachen (disputed)	Gaunche
125	Apsarasas III E	7,236	Karakoram	Siachen (disputed)	Gaunche
126	Rimo No. II P-49	7,233	Karakoram	Siachen (disputed)	Gaunche
127	Apsarasas IV	7,227	Karakoram	Siachen (disputed)	Gaunche
128	Saraghrar (SE-I)	7,208	Hindukush	Hindukush	Chitral
129	Mt. Rose/Singhi Kan	7,202	Karakoram	Siachen (disputed)	Gaunche
130	Saraghrar (SW-II)	7,200	Hindukush	Hindukush	Chitral
131	Istro-Nal (X)	7,200	Hindukush	Hindukush	Chitral
132	Urdok Kangri I	7,200	Karakoram	Boltoro	Skardu
133	Malubiting LC	7,200	Karakoram	Haramosh	Gilgit
134	Bularang Sar	7,200	Karakoram	Hispar	Gilgit
135	Lupghar Sar (E)	7,200	Karakoram	Hispar	Gilgit
136	Lugpahur Sar MD	7,200	Karakoram	Hispar	Gilgit
137	Apsarasas V	7,187	Karakoram	Siachen (disputed)	Gaunche
138	Apsarasas III E	7,184	Karakoram	Siachen (disputed)	Gaunche
139	Apsarasas III W	7,181	Karakoram	Siachen (disputed)	Gaunche
140	Mustagh Tower (NW)	7,180	Karakoram	Boltoro	Skardu
141	Rimo No. III	7,169	Karakoram	Siachen (disputed)	Gaunche
142	Kampir Dior	7,168	Karakoram	Batura Muztagh	Gilgit
143	Karun Koh	7,164	Karakoram	Khunjerab	Gilgit
144	Hachindar Chish	7,163	Karakoram	Batura Mustagh	Gilgit
145	Yermanenbu Kangri	7,163	Karakoram	Boltoro	Skardu
146	Un-Named/Masherbrum	7,163	Karakoram	Siachen (disputed)	Gaunche
147	Un-Named	7,150	Karakoram	Boltoro	Skardu
148	Depak	7,150	Karakoram	Siachen (disputed)	Gaunche
149	Latok No. I	7,145	Karakoram	Panmah	Skardu
150	Kampir Dior	7,143	Karakoram	Batura Mustagh	Gilgit
151	Gasherbrum V	7,133	Karakoram	Boltoro	Skardu
152	Shakawar	7,125	Hindukush	Hindukush	Chitral
153	Apsarasas (S)	7,117	Karakoram	Siachen (disputed)	Gaunche
154	Koh-I-Nadir Shah	7,116	Hindukush	Hindukush	Chitral
155	Udren Zom (N)	7,108	Hindukush	Hindukush	Chitral
156	Kunyang Chhish (N)	7,108	Karakoram	Hispar	Gilgit
157	Langar (Main)	7,100	Hindukush	Hindukush	Chitral
158	Saraghrar (SS)	7,100	Hindukush	Hindukush	Chitral
159	Ghenta	7,100	Karakoram	Batura Mustagh	Gilgit
160	Sia shish	7,100	Karakoram	Batura Mustagh	Gilgit
161	Lupghar II / Central	7,100	Karakoram	Hispar	Gilgit
162	Yakshin Gardaan No. I	7,100	Karakoram	Hispar	Gilgit
163	Sherpi Kangri	7,100	Karakoram	Siachen (disputed)	Gaunche
164	Ghenta	7,090	Karakoram	Batura Muztagh	Gilgit
165	Urdok No. II	7,082	Karakoram	Boltoro	Skardu
166	Mandu Pk	7,081	Karakoram	Boltoro	Skardu
167	Udren Zom (Central)	7,080	Hindukush	Hindukush	Chitral
168	Chogolisa Kangri I	7,071	Karakoram	Boltoro	Skardu
169	Langar (SE)	7,061	Hindukush	Hindukush	Chitral
170	Pyramid/Thyor	7,058	Karakoram	Boltoro	Skardu
171	Udren Zom (S)	7,050	Hindukush	Hindukush	Chitral
172	Link Sar	7,041	Karakoram	Siachen (disputed)	Gaunche
173	Saraghrar (N)	7,040	Hindukush	Hindukush	Chitral
174	Spantik/Ghenish Chish	7,027	Karakoram	Haramosh	Skardu
175	Akber Chioh/Akher	7,020	Hindukush	Hindukush	Chitral
176	Chogolisa Kangri II	7,014	Karakoram	Boltoro	Skardu
177	Rakaposhi (E)	7,010	Karakoram	Bagrot	Gilgit
178	Malubiting (E)	7,010	Karakoram	Haramosh	Gilgit
179	Gasherbrum No. VI	7,004	Karakoram	Boltoro	Skardu
180	Sangemer Mar	7,000	Karakoram	Batura Muztagh	Gilgit
181	Un-Named	7,000	Karakoram	Boltoro	Skardu
182	Lupghar Sar III (E)	7,000	Karakoram	Hispar	Gilgit
183	Chogolisa(W)/Prupoo	7,000	Karakoram	Siachen (disputed)	Gaunche
184	Ghent III	7,000	Karakoram	Siachen (disputed)	Gaunche
185	Kaberi Peak	7,000	Karakoram	Siachen (disputed)	Gaunche
186	Apsarasas(E)/Un-Named	7,000	Karakoram	Siachen (disputed)	Gaunche

The Ultimate Adventure Club is a young group of adventure enthusiasts that is determinedly trying to establish and promote the sport in Islamabad and across Pakistan. It is our long-term aim to popularize adventure sport which includes Rock Climbing, Trekking, Hiking, Paragliding, Mountaineering, Ice Climbing not only as a worthwhile hobby but also as a mainstream sport. Judging from the enthusiasm evident in the encouraging number of fresh faces at the rocks of Margalla Hills Islamabad each week, we have reason to believe that the club can expand to a nationwide scale.

http://www.pakistan4ever.com/pakistan_mountains/K2_Pakistan.asp

http://articles.cnn.com/2008-08-03/world/pakistan.climbers_1_mountain-climber-three-climbers-second-tallest-mountain?_s=PM:WORLD

http://www.explorersweb.com/everest_k2/news.php?id=19805

http://www.alpineclub.org.pk/

http://www.explorersweb.com/everest_k2/news.php?id=19773

http://www.tuadventure.com/

http://pamirtimes.net/page/147/?pages-list

Khurram Gardezi
http://first-pakistan.blogspot.com
http://dcpakistan.blogspot.com
http://world-cricket-legends.blogspot.com