ISLAMABAD: Pakistani climber Shehroze Kashif on Monday became youngest mountaineer to summit the world’s four tallest peaks at the age of 20 after scaling 8,516-meter-high Mount Lhotse which is situated in Nepal.
Kashif, who belongs to Lahore, developed passion for mountaineering after climbing a small peak at the age of 11.
Last year, he became the country’s youngest high-altitude climber who scaled Mount Everest.
Earlier this month, on May 5, he also summited Mount Kanchenjunga (8,586 meters), becoming the first Pakistani and the youngest climber to conquer the third tallest mountain in the world.
“2nd-8000er of the season, scaled by Shehroze Kashif,” Chhang Dawa Sherpa, head of the tour company that arranged his expedition, announced on Facebook.
“Congratulation to Shehroze Kashif, The Broad Boy for your successful climb of Mt Lhotse this morning,” he continued. “With the success in Lhotse, Shehroze becomes the youngest person ever to climb four highest 8000ers (Everest, K2, Kanchenjunga, and Lhotse).”
Speaking to Arab News, Kashif’s father described his son as “extraordinary.”
“Shehroze summited the peak, the fourth highest in the world, at 5:49 am,” Salman Kashif told Arab News over the phone from Lahore. “He is currently descending to the basecamp.”
He added that his son was now planning to summit Mount Makalu, the fifth tallest peak.
“Shehroze is an extraordinary kid, who despite being a resident of plains, has done great work in the field of mountaineering,” he continued. “Being a parent, my good wishes and support are always with him.”
The world’s 14 highest peaks — all above 8,000 meters — are located in the Himalayan and Karakoram ranges, across Pakistan, Tibet and Nepal.
“It’s a big achievement for us that our youth is making the country proud,” Karrar Haidri, secretary general of the Alpine Club of Pakistan, told Arab News.
“Shehroze Kashif started climbing at the age of 11,” he added. “He became the youngest mountaineer in the world and has been creating new records with every new expedition.”
Haidri also confirmed Kashif’s desire to conquer Mount Makalu next.
