LAHORE: An MCB Bank sponsored team of 5 porters from the Hushe region, an under developed and poverty stricken area in Gilgit-Baltistan (GB), successfully ascended the K2 Summit during a challenging first attempt, demonstrating their mountaineering acumen and ability. The 5-member team braved harsh weather and adverse climbing conditions to achieve the remarkable feat in just 20 days.

Enabled by MCB Bank, the successful Hushe expedition was led by Muhammad Taqi along with climbing members Ali Durani, Mushtaq Ahmad, Yousaf Ali and Muhammad Hassan. The Exhibition demonstrated prowess in ascending K2, commonly known as "The Savage Mountain", which is notorious for unpredictable weather, avalanches and for the challenging logistics of the main trek to its summit.

The successful exhibition will greatly enhance the visibility of local porters and mountaineering talent. It will also facilitate tourism and enable economic empowerment for the impoverished communities of Gilgit-Baltistan by encouraging foreign mountaineers to hire local porters as guides, instead of Nepalese Sherpas, for future expeditions to high altitude peaks in Pakistan.-PR

Copyright Business Recorder, 2021