Pakistani mountaineers Abdul Joshi and Saad Munawar have effectively summited Mount Aconcagua, the uppermost peak in South America and the highest mountain in the world outside Asia, standing at an impressive 6,962 meters (22,841 feet).
The climbers touched the summit of this formidable peak on February 7, marking a major achievement in their mountaineering careers.
Abdul Joshi, in a heartfelt tribute, dedicated their climb to the volunteers of Shimshal, particularly honouring his three brothers, Ghulam Murtaza, Karim Uddin, and Javed Rahim, who tragically lost their lives last month while contributing their services to a community road project in Shimshal Pamir. “I dedicate my recent summit of Aconcagua to the volunteers of Shimshal.
Especially my 3 heroic brothers who embraced martyrdom while serving the community,” Joshi stated, emphasizing the profound impact of their sacrifice.
Abdul Joshi, known among the mountaineering community as the “Path Finder” for his exceptional ability to discover new, uncharted routes, is celebrated for his numerous climbing achievements.
Notably, on August 14, 2021, he developed the first climber globally to summit the main 6,160-meter (20,210 ft) peak of Passu Cones in Pakistan’s Gilgit-Baltistan.
His remarkable journey in mountaineering began as a high-altitude porter and helper on expeditions in Pakistan, culminating in his first peak climb, Manglik Sar, at the tender age of 18.
Joshi’s enthusiasm to climbing is matched by his obligation to community service, as showed by his involvement in several high-altitude rescue operations. One notable example was in June 2019, when he led an effective rescue on Rakaposhi to save three stranded climbers, including two Czech nationals climbing without permits.
In a social media post, the 40-year-old mountaineer reflected on his achievements, stating, “The achievement of summiting a mountain is much smaller than the achievement of serving the community.”
Sharing his opinions on their achievement, Saad Munawar highlighted his extensive climbing experience: “I have summited around 10 different mountains in Pakistan, Nepal, Africa, Europe, and now South America. I have summited the highest peak of Africa Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, Europe Mount Elbrus, and now South America, Mount Aconcagua.” Munawar is not only a seasoned mountaineer but also a respected author, having penned two mountain travelogues, “Chogori” and “Rakaposhi k Saye Mein,” which delve into his profound experiences and reflections on mountain exploration.
