Pakistan is bestowed with the largest collection of the spectacular and lofty mountains in the world. It is here in Northern Areas that three magnificent mountain ranges on Earth; Karakoram, Himalayas and Hindukush make a rendezvous. In their fold these ranges boast off more than 720 peaks rising above 6,000 metres, including more than 160 rising above 7,000 metres, and five towering above 8,000 metres topped by the second highest peak of the world - the savage Chogori or K-2 (8,616m). Northern Areas and Chitral offer vast potential and opportunities for mountain related adventure sports and activities i.e., climbing, mountaineering, skiing, white water rafting etc and is rightfully claimed as paradise for mountaineers, mountain adventure seekers and nature lovers. Yet it is unfortunate that this unparalleled natural endowment has not found compatible interest amongst our own countrymen, specially the youth.

Alpine Club of Pakistan (ACP), the national mountaineering and climbing federation, is engaged in promoting healthy adventure sports of mountaineering and mountain related adventure activities in the country since its establishment in 1974. Besides training a large number of its members, youth (including women) and others related with the mountain tourism, it has launched many successful mountaineering expeditions to the highest mountains including K2 as well as the world’s highest - Mt Everest (8,850m). It has produced several mountaineers of international repute and eminence including Nazir Sabir – the present ACP President and only Pakistan to climb MT Everest and K2, Col Sher Khan (Retd), Rajab Shah and many other famous mountaineers.

In the past ACP’s efforts to train and produce women climbers and mountaineers have not yielded positive results for various reasons. ACP conducted numerous training courses for women in mountaineering and climbing, beginning July 1979 and spread across in mid eighties. In 1996 a large ACP expedition launched to 7,284 m high Pasu Peak in Hunza, Northern Areas, had included three women climbers, but without encouraging results. Though it is well appreciated that we can not compete with European and other Western countries, yet we can compare ourselves in our neighbouring environments. In South Asia many women have made great strides in the field of climbing and mountaineering, and have not only climbed Mt Everest on several occasions, but also have made laudable achievements in this field. Even Turkish and Iranian women have climbed Mt. Everest in recent years. It is unfortunate that women of Pakistan, in spite of our best efforts, lack far behind in this important character building and healthy adventure sports. Pakistan has been receiving many invitations to participate in many women climbing competitions, mountaineering expeditions and activities at International forums but due to lack of skilled and experienced female climbers these opportunities were wasted out.

The objectives of the programme are as mentioned hereunder:-

1. To expose young women to the nature’s endowment, wilderness and the great mountain wealth of the Northern Areas.
2. To train the selected women in the art of basic rock climbing and mountaineering and build a wider base of women climbers in the country.
3. To launch the first ever Pakistan’s women mountaineering expedition to 5960 metre high Khushaikh Peak near Khunjerab Pass, Northern Areas.

Participation target of 100 women has been laid down drawn from following:-

1. Young Women students from various universities/professional colleges/educational institutions under the administrative control of Higher Education Commission.
2. Young Women from the three Defence Services ie, Pakistan Army, Pakistan Navy and Pakistan Air force.
3. Young working women from other institutions through Ministry of Women Development and Youth Affairs.
4. Aspirant climbing/mountaineering women from Northern Areas.

Note:- Participant Willingness Proforma is enclosed.

The training shall be conducted around Borit and Pasu villages near Pasu glacier (2,440 m) whereas part of the advanced training will be held near Khunjerab Pass (4,733) and the expedition shall be launched at Kushaikh Peak (5,960 m) situated near Khunjerab Pass, Hunza, Northern Areas. Location map of the Northern Area enclosed at Annex P whereas that of the Pasu Training Area is at Annex Q and that of Khunjerab Pass is at Annex R.

American Alpine Club (AAC) shall be providing three reputed climbing instructors under the leadership of Ms Charlotte Fox, an eminent mountaineer, Everest summiteers and a climbing instructor. Experienced local male/female instructors shall e augmenting the instructor resources for Phase I and II only. Particulars of the American Alpine Club team is as under:-

1. Heidi Kloos - Team leader/lead trainer
2. Janet Bergman - Guide
3. Sonja Nelson - Guide
4. Lisa Rust - Guide
5. Kirsten Kremer - Guide
6. Molly Loomis - Guide
7. Cherie Silvera - Cinematographer
8. Sallie Dean Shatz - Photographer
   
   

Funding is being requested/acquired through following:-

1. Grant from Ministry for Women Development.
2. Grant from Higher Education Commission.
3. Sponsorships from the private sector.