PESHAWAR: Nine young mountaineers from Chitral have scaled Thalo Zom (6,050 metres) located in Laspur valley of Upper Chitral in the Hindu Raj range.
It is the first local Chitrali youth-led expedition to summit any peak .The team, called Shabdaraz, was led by Mueezuddin. Other members were Akmal Naveed, Mohammad Athar Azeem, Owais Ahmad, Mudassir Wali, Nasir Zaib, Sher Khan, Burhanuddin, and Adil Zaman.
They reached the summit at 9:20am on July 29. All members returned safely. They climbed in true alpine style. They used no fixed ropes, no porters, and no pre-set camps. The expedition lasted 11 days and tested their endurance, teamwork, and climbing skills. The team ascended via the Italian Route first used in 2019. They descended through a new, unexplored path. This showed their adaptability and skill in uncharted high-altitude terrain.
Thalo Zom was first climbed in 1971 by an Austrian team. For Shabdaraz, the climb was both a test and a milestone for local mountaineering. Mueezuddin, a member of Zom Connection, trained and mentored the team before the climb. He guided them through glaciers, rock faces, and mixed alpine terrain. His leadership ensured the team’s safety and success.
The group spent three nights at base camp, one at Camp 1 (4,700m), and two at Camp 2 (5,400m). They relied only on their own strength and skill. Gear support came from the Hindukush Snow Sports Club and Zom Connection.
The climb cost about Rs1.5 million. Team member Athar Azeem said the achievement sets a precedent for youth-led alpine expeditions in Pakistan’s high mountains. He said it also proves the potential of community-based mountaineering in the Hindu Raj and beyond.