December 30, 2006	Saturday	Zilhaj 08, 1427

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ISLAMABAD, Dec 29: An Italian climber Friday embarked on a solo winter expedition of two peaks in Baltistan without any safety measures and ropes to create a history in the mountaineering.

Simon Moro, 39, one of the top climbers of the world who has scaled over 8,000-metre peaks nine times, and the 8,848-meter Everest, the world’s highest peak three times, left for Baltistan in Northern Areas to spend the next two months trying to reach the top of the 8,611-metre K-2, the world’s second highest peak, and the 8,047-metre Broad Peak in the Himalayan ranges.

Shaheen Baig, 28, a young climber from Shimshal valley in upper Hunza is also accompanying the Italian climber as a Pakistani member to attempt the two peaks. Shaheen conquered K-2 in 2004 and G-II in 2001. He has also scaled eight 7,000ers.

Mr Moro plans solo expedition on the Broad Peak first and then immediately K-2.

Five of the world’s 14 over 8,000-metre peaks are situated in Northern Areas of Pakistan, eight in Nepal, and one in China.

Besides K-2 and Broad Peak, the other “8,000ers” are Nanga Parbat (8,125 metres), Gasharbrum-1 (8,068 metres) and G-11 (8,035 metres).

“I once conquered Broad Peak in a successful bid in just 24 hours but that was in summer”, said Mr Moro.