Two Pakistani female mountaineers, Samina Baig and Naila Kiani have set out to become the first-ever Pakistani women to climb K2 – the world’s second-highest mountain at 8,611m. K2 is considered to be one of the most difficult peaks to climb and to date there are less than 10 women who have successfully summited this mountain.
Shimshal-born Samina Baig is a Dubai-based Pakistani banker and Naila Kiani is also an amateur boxer. The two climbers have now set out to scale K2.
In 2013, Samina became the first Pakistani woman to climb Everest. Prior to this, Samina has made two attempts – in 2015 and 2021 – to summit K2 but accidents and weather conditions forced her to abort her expedition.
Naila, who now lives in Dubai with family, also arrived in Pakistan on Thursday night before trekking to the K2 base camp. Kiani was the first Pakistani woman to climb 8,035m Gasherbrum II, which also made her the first-ever Pakistani woman to climb an 8,000 inside Pakistan.
Samina Baig has already arrived at K2 base camp while Naila Kiani will move to Skardu on Saturday.
