Gen Qamar felicitates Nepalese climbers on first winter K2 ascent

Delegation shared experiences of momentous expedition with COAS during visit to GHQ, says ISPR

Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa on Friday felicitated the team of Nepalese mountaineers for making history by reaching the summit of Pakistan’s K2, the world’s second-highest mountain, in winter, a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said.

The military's media wing said that a group of mountaineers who were part of international winter K2 expedition visited GHQ in Rawalpindi and called on General Qamar.

The COAS congratulated the climbers for their great achievement, scaling K-2 in winter for the first time; making history in the field of mountaineering.

International Winter K-2 Expedition delegation visited GHQ and called on army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa, who congratulated climbers for their great achievement, scaling #K2 in winter for the first time pic.twitter.com/flUUZFE3c6

— The Express Tribune (@etribune) January 22, 2021

 

The delegation on the occasion shared their experiences during the momentous expedition and thanked Pakistan and its people for their warm hospitality.

According to ISPR, the delegation also expressed their gratitude for facilitating the expedition to achieve the record.

Delegation of International Winter #K2 Expedition met army chief Gen Qamar at GHQ, shared their experiences during the momentous expedition and thanked #Pakistan for warm hospitality#ISPR pic.twitter.com/tLNJprplY2

— The Express Tribune (@etribune) January 22, 2021

 

The history-makers included Nirmal Purja, Mingma David Sherpa, Mingma Tenzi Sherpa, Geljen Sherpa, Pem Chiri Sherpa, Dawa Temba Sherpa, Mingma G, Dawa Tenjin Sherpa, Kilu Pemba Sherpa and Sona Sherpa.

Read more: Nepalese climbers create history by reaching K2's summit in winter

Located on Pakistan’s side of Karakoram range, K2 is one of the world’s 14 tallest mountains – all higher than 8,000 meters – and is known as the world’s most dangerous and challenging peak.

Until the record was broken last week, the 8,611m peak was the only 8,000m peak that has never been climbed in winter.

Since the maiden attempt in 1987-1988, just a handful of winter expeditions have been attempted on the storied 8,611-metre (28,250-feet) mountain in the Karakoram range along the Chinese border.