Staff Correspondent
CHITRAL: Shabdaraz, a group of adventurers from Chitral, has made what is claimed to be the first recorded ascent of Karambar Peak, locally known as Xui Sar, at 5,515 metres above Karambar Lake in Broghil, Upper Chitral.
The summit was reached on 21 August 2026 at 9:40 am in true alpine style via the West Ridge without fixed ropes, pre-established camps or additional climbing equipment.
The 10-member expedition established Base Camp at Karambar Lake (4,300m) and Camp 1 at 4,615m, before making a demanding 900-metre summit ascent. The team found no record of a previous summit of Karambar Peak, Shabdaraz said in a statement.
Two published alpine accounts, one American and one Italian, mention attempts and ascents of surrounding peaks, including Lupsuk Peak, but neither records an ascent of Karambar Peak. The team therefore considers Xui Sar a virgin peak in terms of documented climbing history.
Led by Arif Shimshali as lead climber, seven members reached the summit: Arif Shimshali, Akmal Naveed, Arham Rija Saleem, Burhan Uddin, Owais Ahmed, Naseer Zeb and Inzimam Ul Haq.
The team named the route the Shabdaraz Route. Two technical sections were also named during the ascent: the Arif Wall, the most difficult section of the climb, and Rija Step, a wall at 5,200 metres named after Arham Rija Saleem, 22, from Gujranwala, who became the first woman to summit Karambar Peak.
The medical and rescue team, comprising Sania Tahir, Sahibzada Shahrukh Khan and Muneeb Zaman, turned back at approximately 4,800 metres while continuing to support the summit team.
The ascent builds on Shabdaraz’s previous exploration work in Chitral, including several trekking and exploration tracks promoting trek tourism and the successful ascent of Thalo Zom in July 2025.
Shabdaraz added that its mission is to shift attention towards unexplored peaks, train young mountaineering talent and create new opportunities for aspiring climbers. The Karambar Peak ascent marks another step in that effort, opening a new route on one of Chitral’s most spectacular and less explored mountains.
Karambar Peak (Xui Sar): 5,515m | Summit: 21 August 2026, 9:40 am
Base Camp: 4,300m | Camp 1: 4,615m | Summit ascent: 900m
Route: The Shabdaraz Route, West Ridge | Technical sections: The Arif Wall and Rija Step.