Climbers from four countries summit Gasherbrum-II

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Local porters carry the luggage of foreign climbers heading towards K2 base camp. —Photo by the writer
Local porters carry the luggage of foreign climbers heading towards K2 base camp. —Photo by the writer

GILGIT: Six climbers, including foreign mountaineers and Sherpa guides, summited Gasherbrum-II, the 8,035-metre peak in the Karakoram Range, on Tuesday.

The expedition organiser, Imagine Nepal, said all members and Sherpa guides of its team successfully reached the summit of Gasherbrum-II at 10am. The summiteers were Wang Zhong from China, Sim Phei Sunn from Singapore, Valentyn Sypavin from Ukraine, and Phur Galjen Sherpa, Aangdu Sherpa and Lhakpa Nuru Sherpa from Nepal.

Chinese climber Wang Zhong has now completed 12 of the 14 eight-thousanders, with only Broad Peak and Shishapangma remaining, while Ms Phei Sunn made history as the first Singaporean climber to summit Gasherbrum-II.

For Ukraine’s Valentyn Sypavin, Gasherbrum-II was his sixth 8,000-metre summit this year. Phur Galjen Sherpa completed his 13th 8,000-metre summit with Tuesday’s ascent of Gasherbrum-II. He would next lead the team on Gasherbrum-I to complete his own 14-peak collection. He has also climbed Yalung Khang, an 8,505-metre peak in Nepal.

This was Aangdu Sherpa’s third summit of Gasherbrum-II. Lhakpa Nuru Sherpa has previously climbed K2 twice and Broad Peak. Gasherbrum-II was his third 8,000-metre peak in Pakistan.

According to Imagine Nepal, the team’s summit attempt earlier on July 18 failed due to deep snow and a shortage of rope.

On Monday, the team started early and made the final summit push from Camp 3, joining Elite Exped’s team.

Imagine Nepal said the achievement reflected exceptional teamwork and high-altitude expertise.

Published in Dawn, July 22nd, 2026

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