Shehroze Kashif sets record as youngest Pakistani to summit top 14 peaks

Pakistani mountaineer Shehroze Kashif has made history by becoming the youngest person from the country to summit all 14 of the world’s highest peaks, each standing over 8,000 metres.

Shehroze Kashif, 22, completed this extraordinary feat after reaching the summit of his final peak, marking a significant milestone in his mountaineering career.

He is now the second Pakistani, after climber Sirbaz Khan, to accomplish the challenge of scaling all 14 “eight-thousanders.”

Sirbaz Khan had achieved the feat just last week by summiting Shishapangma, China’s highest mountain.

Shehroze began his journey to conquer these peaks in 2019, when he was only 17 years old.

His first climb was the 8,047-metre Broad Peak in Pakistan, an accomplishment that earned him recognition in the international mountaineering community.

In 2021, Shehroze Kashif scaled the world’s tallest peak, Mount Everest, as well as K2 and Manaslu, further showcasing his abilities.

The following year, he reached the summits of Kanchenjunga, Lhotse, Makalu, Nanga Parbat, Gasherbrum I, and Gasherbrum II, solidifying his reputation as a top young climber.

In 2023, Shehroze completed three more peaks, Annapurna, Dhaulagiri, and Cho Oyu but was unable to summit Shishapangma last year due to an accident.

Despite this setback, his perseverance led him to finally conquer Shishapangma, completing his record.

Had he summited Shishapangma earlier, Shehroze would have set the world record for the youngest person to climb all 14 peaks.

Nevertheless, his achievement remains a remarkable moment in the history of mountaineering.

Sirbaz Khan makes history as first Pakistani to conquer all 14 highest peaks
Earlier this month, Sirbaz Khan's mountaineering journey began in 2017, when he set his sights on conquering the world’s 14 highest peaks.

His initial climb was the treacherous Nanga Parbat, which stands at 8,126 metres.

This successful ascent ignited his passion for high-altitude climbing and marked the commencement of an ambitious quest that would see him tackling some of the most formidable mountains on Earth.

Over the next few years, Khan demonstrated exceptional skill and determination as he faced numerous challenges.

In July 2018, he reached the summit of K2, solidifying his status as a prominent mountaineer.

He continued to break barriers in 2019 when he became the first Pakistani to ascend Lhotse, the world’s fourth-highest peak.

That same year, he also summited Broad Peak, achieving this remarkable feat without the use of supplementary oxygen, showcasing his incredible physical endurance.

In the following years, Khan’s resilience shone through as he conquered Annapurna in April 2021 and Mount Everest a month later.

His accomplishments continued to grow, as he successfully led an all-Pakistani team to Gasherbrum II, further establishing his legacy in high-altitude mountaineering.

Khan’s remarkable achievements highlighted his commitment to the sport and the rising profile of Pakistani climbers on the international stage.

Khan's dedication to climbing the world’s highest peaks did not go unnoticed. He became an inspiration to many aspiring mountaineers in Pakistan and beyond.

With his successful ascent of Shishapangma in October 2024, Khan not only etched his name in the annals of mountaineering history but also proved that with perseverance and hard work, even the highest mountains can be conquered.

His journey stands as a testament to the spirit of adventure and the relentless pursuit of excellence in the face of adversity.