Sirbaz Khan Becomes Pakistan’s First to Climb All 14 of the World’s 8,000m Peaks

In a historic achievement for Pakistan, Sirbaz Khan has become the first Pakistani mountaineer to summit all 14 of the world’s 8,000-metre peaks.

This prestigious accomplishment places him among an elite group of global high-altitude climbers, marking a significant milestone in the world of mountaineering.

On Friday, Khan reached the summit of Shishapangma in Tibet, standing at 8,027 metres, completing his 14th “eight-thousander” without the use of supplemental oxygen.

This feat cements his place as one of the most accomplished mountaineers, not only in Pakistan but globally.

Khan, who hails from the Hunza Valley, began his record-breaking journey in 2017 by conquering Nanga Parbat, a perilous peak at 8,126 metres.

This initial success was the beginning of his quest to conquer the world’s tallest mountains.

Over the years, Khan has scaled some of the most treacherous peaks, including K2 in 2018 and Lhotse in 2019, where he became the first Pakistani to reach its summit at 8,516 metres.

In 2019, Khan added Broad Peak (8,051 metres) and Manaslu (8,163 metres) to his impressive resume, both climbed without supplementary oxygen.

His relentless drive led him to Annapurna in 2021, known for being one of the deadliest mountains, and later to the top of Mount Everest, the highest peak on Earth at 8,849 metres.

Khan’s leadership was further demonstrated in 2021 when he led an all-Pakistani expedition to the summit of Gasherbrum II (8,035 metres).

His pioneering efforts continued with the summits of Dhaulagiri in 2021 and Kangchenjunga and Makalu in 2022, making him the first Pakistani to scale both peaks.

In October 2023, Khan reached the summit of Cho Oyu (8,188 metres), and with his final triumph on Shishapangma, he has officially completed the monumental task of summiting all 14 eight-thousanders.

Sirbaz Khan’s exceptional achievements, particularly his ability to climb 11 of these peaks without supplementary oxygen, highlight his determination, resilience, and unmatched skill in the world of high-altitude mountaineering.

He stands as an inspiring figure for mountaineers worldwide and a national hero in Pakistan.