Moving mountains on a two-wheeler

Cyclist-cum-mountaineer Samar Khan's tale of taming a virgin peak

KARACHI: Most folks don't even think of climbing a mountain because it is, both literally and figuratively, a mountain to climb. But some daredevils not only dream such dreams, they also pack their bags, choose the most difficult of terrains and scale till either their limbs give up or the peak does.

Samar Khan, a cyclist by profession, is one such adventurer.

The 26-year-old recently summited a 6240-meter-high virgin peak in Arandu near Skardu in Gilgit-Baltistan, and to top it off, she rode her bicycle at the summit.

Having become the first person to both reach the alp's apex and cycle on it, she aptly named it "Samar Peak".

While that sounds both unbelievable and impossible, for Samar, such feats are now regular occurrences. Just last year, she had done the exact same thing with 4500m Biafo Glacier in Karakoram Range.

After Biafo, she chose the "Samar Peak," which shows not only is she going strong but is also picking increasingly higher altitudes to challenge herself.

The challenge this time, however, was very steep as many had tried and failed to scale "Samar Peak" before her — not that it deterred her in any way.

"I was told that many trekkers from Germany and some from Karachi have made failed attempts," Samar told The Express Tribune. "That is all I wanted to hear to undertake this challenge."

"I then discussed it with my lead climbers Chairman Ali and Sarwar Taqi Shigri, who have had the honour of summiting Latok 1, Latok 2, Gasherbrum 1, Gasherbrum 2 and Spantik peaks.

"I got to know that the peak is quite tough and that the trekkers in previous attempts were only able to reach camp 1 of 3. But I had made up my mind that no matter what I will plant the Pakistani flag at the pinnacle.”

The trek did throw more than its share of challenges at Samar and her group, testing their resolve to the fullest, although they did not flinch.

"When we reached camp 1, the weather started going rough but I didn't want to miss this chance so I decided not to stop and headed directly towards the summit," she said. "It took us 14 straight hours of trekking from base camp to reach the peak and come back."

"The way was too dangerous; we faced scary landslides and glaciers but did not stop. Then, when we got to the top, I also wanted to set the record of cycling at such a height."

But more than the challenge itself, Samar has another agenda what pushes her to do what she does.

"Last year, when I went up to Biafo, it got highlighted and people came to know about that place," said Samar who hails from Lower Dir in KPK. "This time too, I had the same objective of promoting hidden places and peaks of Gilgit-Baltistan and promote tourism in these areas."

It can't be said with certainty what peak Samar will choose next, but what is certain is that she will keep on challenging herself and breaking barriers, be it mountaintops or two-wheelers.