On Top Of The World: Naila Kiani, Samina Baig Make History Atop Nanga Parbat

On Top Of The World: Naila Kiani, Samina Baig Make History Atop Nanga Parbat
Two Pakistani women made history on Sunday, becoming the first and second female nationals to scale the ninth tallest mountain in the world, Nanga Parbat.

According to the Alpine Club of Pakistan, mountaineers Naila Kiani and Samina Baig climbed to the top of the mountain around an hour apart on Sunday morning. At least ten mountaineers completed their quest to climb Nanga Parbat on Sunday, with all but one of them Pakistanis.

Kiani became the first Pakistani woman to climb to the top of the 8,126-meter peak in the country's history.

Sunday's feat means that she has now scaled seven of the 14 peaks taller than 8,000 meters. She has previously scaled the world's tallest mountain Everest, second tallest K2, fourth highest Lhoste, ninth highest Nanga Parbat, tenth highest Annapurna, eleventh Gasherbrum I, and thirteenth Gasherbrum II.

She is also the first Pakistani woman to scale Lhoste, Annapurna, Gasherbrum I, and Gasherbrum II.

A little under an hour later, Samina Baig -- who first rose to prominence for becoming the first Pakistani woman to scale Everest and K2 apart from climbing to the top of the tallest peaks on all seven continents (Seven Summits).

Unlike Kiani, however, Baig has fewer summits under her belt even though she started climbing in 2013.

The others who summitted the mountain on Sunday include Pakistanis Rizwan Dad, Eid Muhammad (without oxygen), Ahmed Baig (without oxygen), Waqar Ali (without oxygen), Saeed Karim (without oxygen), Liaqat Karim (without oxygen) and Wajid Nagri (without oxygen).

Suzzane from Switzerland also successfully completed her trip to the top of the mountain.

Last week, Sajid Sadpara, the son of legendary mountaineer Ali Sadpara, scaled Nanga Parbat without oxygen. He became the first Pakistani to do so.

READ MORE: Sajid Sadpara Summits ‘Killer Mountain’ Without Supplemental Oxygen

Karrar Haidri, the secretary of the Alpine Club of Pakistan, hailed the feat of Pakistani climbers, especially Naila Kiani and Samina Baig.

"They overcame hazardous terrain, severe weather, and a plethora of challenges thanks to their undying determination, talent, and teamwork. Their success serves as both a source of motivation for aspirant climbers and proof of the unflappable spirit of human endeavour."