GILGIT: Renowned Pakistani climber Sajid Ali Sadpara summited Dhaulagiri Peak, 8,167 metres and the world’s seventh highest mountain in Nepal, without oxygen and porter support.

This extraordinary feat, confirmed by the Alpine Club of Pakistan, marks his ninth 8,000-metre peak, all climbed without bottled oxygen and completely unsupported.

In a statement, Seven Summit Treks said the team successfully reached the summit starting at 9:35am on Sunday, marking the first confirmed ascent of Dhaulagiri in the Spring 2025 season.

The expedition team had previously fixed ropes up to 8,050 metres and launched their final summit push during a favourable weather window.

Dhaulagiri is the ninth 8,000m Sajid Sadpara has climbed without bottled oxygen, porter support

The team began their summit push from Camp IV at 6:15pm on Saturday, making relentless efforts to reach the top while simultaneously securing the final section of the route by fixing over 350 metres of rope.

This year, Kangchenjunga has seen an impressive turnout, with nearly 70 international climbers and an equal number of Sherpas taking on the challenge.

Seven Summit Treks confirmed that Sajid Ali Sadpara summited the peak without bottled oxygen and porter support and congratulated to all climbers on the feat.

According to a statement issued Karrar Haidri Secretary, Alpine Club of Pakistan,

this is another proud

moment for Pakistan and the mountaineering world.

It said in a landmark achievement for Pakistan’s climbing community, Mr Sadpara successfully summited Dhaulagiri on May 10, without supplemental oxygen or external support.

The Club said that Sajid, 29, has displayed remarkable endurance, resilience, and dedication to high-altitude mountaineering. His Dhaulagiri expedition was organised by Seven Summit Treks Nepal and Sabroso Pakistan, with technical gear sponsored by Kailas.

Sajid Sadpara is the proud son of the legendary Muhammad Ali Sadpara, who tragically lost his life during a winter ascent of K2 in 2021. Carrying his father’s legacy with honour, the junior Sadpara has emerged as a powerful

symbol of Pakistani mountaineering strength and global excellence.

Karrar Haidri, Secretary of the Alpine Club of Pakistan, also congratulated Mr Sadpara, calling it “a historic milestone that reflects the strength and courage of Pakistani climbers on the world stage”.

Mr Sadpara had reached the base camp of the peak on April 6 and started his rotation last week.

In his official social media page of Facebook and Instagram, he said: “Alhamdulillah standing at the top of Dhaulagiri, the world’s 7th highest mountain without oxygen and external support.

Published in Dawn, May 12th, 2025