Balti climber comes down to Seventh Heaven

Back from the top of the world, being treated like its king.


Peer Muhammad May 22, 2011

ISLAMABAD:


Everest conqueror Hassan Sadpara walked out of the terminal at Benazir Bhutto International Airport to a hero’s welcome on Friday evening.


Sadpara, the second Pakistani to succeed in hoisting a Pakistani flag at the world highest peak, was warmly received by Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B) Chief Minister Mehdi Shah, students, admirers, Alpine Club officials, Pakistan Association of Tour Operators, Pakistani Adventure Club and politicians from G-B.

“It was my cherished dream to hoist the Pakistani flag at the world’s highest peak. Thank God it was fulfilled with dignity,” Sadpara told The Express Tribune amid a drone of supportive slogans and echoing folk music. He was taken to G-B House in a huge procession. There, a reception was thrown in his honour and people paid rich tributes to him.

Hassan Sadpara hails from the little Sadpara village near Skardu in Baltistan, and became the second Pakistani to scale Mount Everest on May 11. Veteran mountaineer Nazir Sabir was the first Pakistani to climb Everest in 2000.

The expedition was launched by the Alpine Club of Pakistan (ACP) and the team reached Nepal on March 30. Hassan already held the proud distinction of having scaled all five peaks of over 8,000 metres in Pakistan. He climbed Nanga Parbat (8,125metres) in 1999, K2 (8,611 metres) in 2004, Gasherbrum-I (8,068 metres) and Gasherbrum-II (8,035 metres) in 2006 and Broad Peak (8,048 metres) in 2007. Now he has added another feather in his cap by ascending the 8,848 metre high Mount Everest and hoisting the national flag and banner of the Alpine Club of Pakistan at its summit.

Speaking to media at the airport, Hassan said that he was honoured by the love and prayers of the nation. “I am determined to use my potential and skills to teach mountaineering to the youth.” He said that government should facilitate the establishment of a mountaineering institute in G-B.

G-B Chief Minister Mehdi Shah said that Hassan Sadpara belongs to G-B and Pakistan and he should be treated like a national hero.

He added that funds and plans for launching of mountaineering school in Skardu are ready and soon the youth of Pakistan will have a facility to learn modern mountaineering.

Nazir Sabir, the only other Pakistani to have conquered Everest, congratulated him. “Sadpara really proved his potential by scaling the world’s highest peak without oxygen,” the world famous mountaineer said, while congratulating him warmly.

A traditional Balti musical event was also arranged on the occasion, where young performers presented traditional songs and dances.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 22nd, 2011.

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