SWAT: Two local mountaineers scaled Falak Sar, the highest peak of the Hindukush mountain range in Swat (5,985 metres).

Sayyed Zeeshan Umer and Noman Khalil claimed that they were first to reach the top of the mountain, also known as Mini-K2, without guides, porters, and equipment.

Falak Sar, which means a peak touching the sky, is located in Ushu Matlitan valley of Swat.

Last month, a team comprising climbers from France, United Kingdom, Slavonia, United States and Gilgit-Baltistan scaled the peak and skied down from some part of it.

Mr Umer and Mr Khalil told Dawn that it was their dream to reach the peak and they did it without undergoing any formal training and having professional equipment.

They said they were proud to become the first mountaineers from Swat region to do so.

“We completed the expedition in six days. Our happiness knew no bounds when we reached the top. I dedicate this summit to my mother as she always encouraged me and prayed for my success,” Mr Umar said in a function held at the SPS College to welcome the two climbers after successful expedition.

The mountaineers said Falak Sar was not an easy peak as its route was full of icy and steep glaciers, dozens of wide crevasses, frequent vertical reliefs and enormous bulk of ice and rock, so it was one of the most dangerous peaks among 6,000 high peaks of the Hindukush mountain range.

“We are not professionally trained in rock and ice climbing, which was our weakest point. However, we had a strong will and found good weather, which enabled us to successfully climb the peak,” said Mr Khalil.

The two vowed to climb all highest peaks in the country but said that required professional training and equipment.

They said if the government or any private organisation supported them, they could fly the country’s flag atop those peaks.

Published in Dawn, July 22nd, 2022