Woman climber dies during descent from Spantik

ASMA Mushtaq, a 34-year-old mountaineer from Pakistan, tragically lost her life during the descent from Spantik, a high-altitude peak in the Karakoram range. The Alpine Club of Pakistan reported that Mushtaq had successfully reached the summit at 7,027 meters and was in good health when she began her descent. However, she encountered a severe high-altitude medical emergency at an altitude of approximately 6,400 meters.

The club stated that her mountain guides, Akbar Ali and Muhammad Amin, provided all possible assistance in extremely challenging conditions, but her condition could not be saved. Mushtaq, originally from Lahore, was a UK-based obstetrician and gynecologist by profession but was also a passionate traveller, vlogger, and mountaineer.

She had completed several expeditions, including a successful winter ascent of Musa ka Musallah peak. Mushtaq was part of a five-member Pakistani women’s expedition team that summited Spantik, which also included climbers Zoni Aslam, Zaba Shigri, Shama, and Sohana. Alpinist Shehroze Kashif honored the courage of the mountain guides who continued to assist her until the end.

The Alpine Club of Pakistan, under the leadership of Major General Irfan Arshad Khan, expressed deep sorrow over her loss, paying tribute to her bravery in undertaking the challenging expedition.