Dubai Mum Makes History as First Pakistani Woman to Conquer 11 of The World’s Highest Mountains
Naila Kiani’s remarkable feats set a new bar in mountaineering
Naila Kiani has made mountaineering history, becoming the first-ever Pakistani woman to conquer 11 of the world’s 14 highest peaks above 8,000 meters. Her latest triumph, summiting Makalu, the fifth highest peak in the world, is an incredible achievement, one which highlights her exceptional skill and solidifies her reputation as one of the foremost mountaineers globally.
On Sunday, May 5th, at 7:50am GST (9:35am Nepal time), Naila Kiani reached the summit of Makalu, standing tall at 8,485 meters (27,838 feet). This monumental achievement speaks to Nalia’s invincible spirit and sheer resilience. Over the past three years, Naila has dedicated herself to conquering some of the world’s most challenging peaks.
Naila’s journey to the top of Makalu, however, was not without its challenges. Battling serious weather conditions, her team faced a snowstorm during the descent, losing track of the route back to camp at around 7,500 meters. Despite these obstacles, Naila’s determination prevailed, ultimately leading her team to safety and a well-deserved rest.
Perhaps the most remarkable of her achievements, is Naila’s record-breaking speed in scaling 11 of the 14 highest 8,000-meter peaks in under three years, making her the fastest Pakistani, irrespective of gender, to achieve this milestone. In recognition of her extraordinary accomplishments, she was recently bestowed with the “Sitara-i-Imtiaz,” Pakistan’s highest civilian honour for female athletes.
Beyond her mountaineering, Naila has a background in Aerospace Engineering and a successful career at HSBC Middle East Bank. With this, she models versatility and determination in balancing both professional and personal pursuits. She is also a competitive boxer and a devoted mother of two.
As Naila Kiani continues to defy the odds and push every boundary that comes her way, she serves as an inspiration to all, reminding us that with passion and perseverance, there’s “no mountain high enough.”
Images courtesy of Instagram/@naila._.kiani