Dubai-based mountaineer Naila Kiani made history by leading a team of eight mountaineers to recover the body of Muhammad Hassan Shigri from an 8,200-meter K2 peak. This was the highest-ever recovery made on the world’s second-highest mountain, taking three days from bottleneck to base camp to retrieve the body. Hassan’s death last year sparked global attention due to ethical concerns as reports indicated that climbers bypassed him without offering assistance, citing his critical condition and lack of experience and equipment.
The team successfully dug out the body from the bottleneck and reached advanced base camp (ABC) after three days of intense effort. Kiani revealed that she was approached by Hassan’s family for assistance while she was on a K2 clean-up project on humanitarian grounds. The operation was a last-minute effort but critical in nature, made possible by the high-altitude climbers, logistical support, and local authorities’ assistance. In May 2024, Kiani achieved a remarkable feat by scaling Makalu, the world’s fifth-highest peak, becoming the first Pakistani woman to conquer 11 of the world’s 14 highest mountains.
This rescue mission on K2 was the first-ever of its kind from such a high altitude, coincidentally occurring on the day K2 was first submitted 70 years ago. Previous attempts to fund such expeditions were deemed too costly, but through a not-for-profit basis, the team managed to reduce costs significantly, highlighting the dedication and skills of Pakistani high-altitude workers involved in the mission. The team comprised five climbers and two logistics managers, with the mission aiming to provide a dignified burial for Hassan and showcase Pakistani talent in high-altitude operations.
Kiani emphasized that this mission was conducted with the aim of giving Hassan a dignified burial and showcasing the exceptional skills of Pakistani high-altitude workers. The successful recovery also highlights the teamwork and dedication of the team members who managed to retrieve the body from such a high altitude on K2. The operation was significant not only in terms of recovering the body but also in demonstrating the capabilities and determination of the Pakistani mountaineers involved.
Overall, Naila Kiani’s historic rescue mission on K2 to recover Muhammad Hassan Shigri’s body showcased the dedication, skills, and teamwork of Pakistani high-altitude workers. This not-for-profit operation managed to significantly reduce costs and achieve a critical mission on the world’s second-highest mountain. The successful recovery highlights the importance of ethical standards in mountaineering and the need for assistance and support for climbers in distress. Kiani’s accomplishment in scaling Makalu earlier in 2024 further solidifies her position as a pioneering Pakistani mountaineer, breaking barriers and setting records in high-altitude expeditions.
