Second Pakistani climbs highest mountain in Argentina in a week
News Desk
MENDOZA: Pakistan’s Asad Ali Memon successfully climbed Aconcagua — the highest mountain peak in South America — and hoisted a 50-meter-long national flag at the top this week.
The 22-year-old mountaineer dedicated his success to the soldiers of the Pakistan Army and the people of Kashmir after making it to the highest mountain in the world outside Asia.
Aconcagua is a mountain in the Principal Cordillera of the Andes mountain range, in Mendoza Province, Argentina with an elevation of 22,837 feet. Climbing Aconcagua was a part of ‘Seven Summit Challenge’ for Asad Ali.
“After reaching Mendoza, it took me some time to rent the equipment which was missing and most importantly got the climbing permit which is necessary for the climb. When everything was done, I prepared myself for getting to Penitentes which is the starting point of the toughest yet exciting climb. And here I am today, on top of Aconcagua and feeling great in doing my country proud,” concluded Asad.
Meanwhile Col (retd) Abdul Jabbar Bhatti had conquered Mount Aconcagua last week.
Bhatti climbed the 6,962-metre-high Aconcagua on January 17, the highest peak in South America.
He is the third Pakistani to conquer Mount Aconcagua. He reached Argentina on January 5 to climb this mountain.
On May 21, 2017, Bhatti became the fourth Pakistani to stand atop 8,848 metres Mount Everest. However, Bhatti and his Nepalese Sherpa had to be rescued from the death zone, where they were stranded at 8,600 meters.
It took nine rescuers to bring them down to safety of the base camp. Both climbers, who had run out of bottled oxygen, got frostbites on their hands and toes. It took him one-and-a-half months to complete the Everest expedition. Bhatti has lost all of his fingers on both hands after Everest expedition.
He has already scaled 8,051 metres Broad Peak in 1985, Gasherbrum II (8,035m) in 1986 and Spantik Peak in 2012.
Bhatti is attempting to summit all seven highest peaks around the world. However, he has not shared which peak he will attempt to climb next. His adventure to climb all seven highest mountains in the seven continents has been delayed due to funding and paperwork.
The seven highest peaks in the seven continents are Mount Everest 8,850 metres in Asia, Aconcagua, 6,962 metres in South America, 6,190 metres tall Denali in North America, Kilimanjaro, 5,895 metres in Africa, the 5,642 metres tall Mt Elbrus in Europe, Mount Carstenszm, which is 4,884 metres in Indonesia, and 4,892 metres high Mount Vinson in Antarctica. According to ACP, Jabbar Bhatti, has descended safely.
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