Islamabad: A 19-year-old has become the youngest Pakistani to climb the world’s highest peak Mount Everest on Tuesday.
Shehroze Kashif, who hails from Lahore, climbed the stood on top of the 8,849-meter (29,032 ft) mountain on May 11, proudly raising the flag of Pakistan. “Alhamdulillah. History has been made! Shehroze has summited Everest on May 11 at 5:02am Pakistan time” read the update on his Instagram page. He was descending to camp 3 of Everest in Nepal after the successful summit, according to the update on social media.
“Kashif successfully climbed the Mount Everest as a part of Seven Summit Treks - Everest Expedition 2021,” announced Nepalese mountaineer and the expedition manager, Chhang Dawa Sherpa, and congratulated him on becoming the youngest Pakistani to climb Mount Everest.
Pakistani mountaineer community erupted in jubilation after the news broke out, sending best wishes to the young mountaineer and praying for his safe descent. Alpine Club of Pakistan representative Karrar Haidri congratulated the young climber on this “great achievement” of becoming he youngest Pakistani to climb the world's tallest peak.
Climbing journey
The teenager has been fascinated by the idea of being at the top of the mountains since he was a little boy. Beginning his climbing journey at the age of 11, he summited the 3,885m Makra peak, and then 4,080m Musa Ka Musalla peak and 4,600m Chembra peak. From there on, he took his passion to the next level by climbing 5000, 6000 and then to 8000 meter high peaks. At the age of 17, he climbed 8,047m Broad peak, the 12th highest mountain in the world, which earned him the title 'The Broad Boy’. Now at 19, he has summited the tallest mountains of them all, the mighty Mount Everest.
Love for mountaineering
“The idea to climb to Everest was planted in my mind since I was a child. Now after around 10 years, my dream is about to become a reality. I am all prepared to raise the green flag on top of the tallest mountain in the world!” the teenager shared in a passionate post a few days before the summit.
“My idea of summiting the Everest at 19 is something that made all raise their eyebrows. But who can change destiny? Fortunately, few did support me. That was enough to fuel my passion and helped me stand firm to achieve my goal. Everest!” Kashif wrote in a Facebook post.
Hi family, he said, especially his parents were his biggest supporters. “I cannot thank my family enough” he said referring to his dad as his “superhero” for nurturing his “love for mountaineering” and never stopping him from “dreaming the impossible.” He also expressed gratitude for his mom for being his motivation powerhouse since childhood.
Kashif shared that he spent last couple of years in research, physical training to keeping himself motivated and preparing for the big moment. “After years of wait and prep, the moment has arrived finally so it is getting very hard to control my emotions. I’m bursting with excitement, energy and determination” the Broad Boy wrote. “I am into mountaineering for years but this expedition is one of its kind. There is no denial to the fact that Everest is not a piece of cake” adding that “Everest commands respect.”
