Two women from KIU successfully summit Minglik

‘We have set a precedent for other students to follow’

GILGIT: Nadeema Sahar and Samana Rahim have become the first students of Karakoram International University (KIU) in Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B) to summit 6,050 metre Minglik Peak in Shimshal valley, Hunza.

Sahar and Rahim are students of ‘Tourism and Hospitality Management’ department, which was established in KIU keeping in view the potential of tourism especially in Hunza and rest of this mountainous region.

“We are so happy and proud to be the first students of KIU to climb the peak,” Sahar told The Express Tribune on Sunday about the expedition that took place in the second week of June. The expedition was sponsored by Karakoram Club Pakistan. They said, “We have set a precedent for rest of the students to follow.”

Sahar and Rahim belong to Shimshal valley, the highest settlement in Hunza district with a population of 2,000 people. The valley is situated in one of the remotest parts of the Karakoram Range.

Vice-chancellor Dr Attaullah Shah awarded certificates to the students in recognition for the accomplishment. The girls were part of an eight-member expedition that reached the top of Minglik Peak.

“There is a message in our successful summit,” said Sahar adding, “The girls are talented, but opportunities are lacking. I request all parents to encourage their daughters so that they are successful in real life.”

The successful summit was celebrated by students of KIU. “Great moment for us as our colleagues hoist the flag of KIU on the top, promoting adventure tourism and our department,” said Sohail Azhar, a classmate of the climbers.

Minglig Peak is located in the Shimshal Valley in Hunza neighbouring Kun Lun, the southernmost Chinese mountain range.  Shimshal Lake sits at the base of the mountain near the Shimshal Pass (4735m).

The trek to Minglig Peak starts from Shimshal Valley to Wuch Furzeen, which is a seven-to-nine-hour walk. It takes another six-to-eight-hours to reach Shuijherav (4350m) and another three hours to reach Shimshal Pass.

 

Published in The Express Tribune, July 9^th, 2018.