Pakistan’s leading mountaineer Naila Kiani sets her sights beyond the skies as she has revealed her plans to accomplish summiting all 14 peaks above 8,000 metres within the next two years. As of May 2023, when Kiani successfully made her ascent to the top of Mount Everest, she had conquered 10 out of 14 peaks and had also become the only Pakistani to do so.
“Initially, I wanted to accomplish my target as soon as possible, but after the Shishapangma incident, I changed my mind. I have now decided to achieve this milestone at a slower pace. Hopefully, I’ll complete my mission in two years,” Kiani told journalists.
In October 2023, when Kiani was just 400 metres away from making the summit of Shishapangma Mountain in China, she found herself facing a critical dilemma. Having already lost two climbers to the harsh conditions, she prioritised the safety of her team and chose to retreat. “I believe human life should be prioritised overreaching the summit in a world as dangerous as mountain climbing,” she said.
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The year 2023 was still Kiani’s most successful year as she became one of the only seven climbers in the world to have accomplished the feat of climbing multiple peaks in just six months. A former aerospace engineer, a banker, a boxer and the mother of two who took up the unique and daring challenge of scaling the world’s highest mountains was honoured for her accomplishments by the President of Pakistan in December 2021.
Kiani’s successful ascents include Mount Everest (8,848 metres) in 2023, K2 (8,611 metres) in 2022, Lhotse (8,516 metres) in 2023, Nanga Parbat (8,126 metres) in 2023, Manaslu (8,163 metres) in 2023, Annapurna (8,091 metres) in 2023, Broad Peak (8,051 metres) in 2023, Gasherbrum II (8,035 metres) in 2021, Gasherbrum I (8,080 metres) in 2022, and Cho Oyu (8,188 metres) in 2023.
However, despite her remarkable success, Kiani acknowledged the challenges female athletes face in Pakistan. She highlighted the difficulty they encounter in securing brand endorsements. She shared that she refuses to compromise her integrity by collaborating with brands that view her as nothing more than a social media figure. “It is important to consider the struggles that athletes and mountaineers face, which is why I do not settle for inadequate compensation,” she said.
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Kiani is currently seeking additional sponsors to join her on the unprecedented journey of conquering the remaining four peaks. She notes the necessity and importance of continued support to overcome the challenges that lie ahead.
Kiani appreciated the critical role of family support which often goes unnoticed behind the scenes. In particular, she noted her husband’s unwavering dedication to caring for their three and four-year-old daughters. A crucial part of her success has been the support she receives from her sponsors.
Kiani’s message to the youth echoes through her journey — invest in personal development, seek mentors, and relentlessly pursue dreams. “Dream big, stay consistent, and work hard to turn aspirations into reality,” she advised.
In a world dominated by robust foreign climbers, Kiani has become a trailblazer in her own right, breaking records in Pakistan and worldwide.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 23rd, 2023.
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