12-year-old Pakistani boy sets world record by scaling Rupal Peak

Areesh · Sep 9, 2013

Alpine Club of Pakistan hosted a reception in the honour of the 2nd Rupal Peak Green Peace Expedition here at Sports Complex. While speaking at the occasion, ACP President Colonel Manzoor Hussain lauded the achievement of the team and appreciated their efforts to promote this sport while keeping in view the development of local community.

He said the Alpine Club of Pakistan would continue to support such achievements. He also appreciated the bravery of 12-year-old Hassan Faiz, who climbed this peak without facing any problems. He assured that such initiatives would be continued and ACP shall organise more such expeditions.

At the occasion, the leader of expedition, Mazaffar Faizi Awan, Faiz Ali and other climbers shared their experience.

The expedition leaders appraised that Alpine Club of Pakistan in collaboration with its constituent, Islamabad Alpine Association launched Pakistan’s 2nd Green Rupal Peak (5,642 M) Peace Expedition, 2013 on 23rd August 2013. Eight out of twelve members of the expedition team succeeded to climb Rupal peak, 5,642 meter high on 28th August 2013. Besides one guide and one porter also reached the top.

After acclimatisation and holding training of inexperience climbers, the team reached Camp I (4,300 M) on August 27, 2013. In the final attempt for the summit eight members of the team reached their summit bid at 11:07 am on 28th August 2013. The summiteers included M.A.H. Muzaffar Faizi Awan (Expedition Leader), Faiz Ali (Climbing Leader), Rizwan-ur-Rehman Saifi, Zeeshan Nawaz Khan, Abdul Malik, Hassan Faiz, Azam Ali Mughal, Hamza Iqbal, Safi Ullah (Guide) and Shamsul Haq (Porter).

It was informed that Hassan Faiz is the youngest climber twelve years who has also climbed the Rupal Peak, set the world record of the youngest climber who has reached to the summit of 5642 m in Himalayas. It was informed that the ACP is consulting Int. Climbing Federation to confirm whether it could be world record to climb to such a height by a child of such age. Hassan is ambitious to climb higher peaks with the dream to summit Mt. Everest. During the summit he remained active all the time without any sign of tiredness. Hassan has earlier participated and won several sport climbing championships.

It was told that the expedition had multiple objectives, which included providing an opportunity to climb a peak, awareness about mountaineering, plantation and community development. Accordingly, the team planted trees in Gorikot, near Rupal Peak base camp on return to their way back, besides conducting sessions in the community about the importance of environment, outdoor activities, peace and environment. Abdul Karim from local community facilitated in plantation whereas first aid training was imparted by Naik Alam, the Deputy climbing Leader. Raja Mirza Hasan, Senior Superintendent Police and Muhammad Yameen, Inspector supported in the security of the expedition team during their travel besides Muhammad Humayun and Farman Ali who are the ‘numbardar’.

Islamabad Alpine Association, Sports for Kids and Youth, Indus exploration, MCCT Pvt. Ltd. also announced cash awards for the youngest climber Hassan Faiz.

The 3rd Green Rupal Peak Peace Expedition would be organised on June 13, 2014. It is expected that about 50 climbers will join the expedition.

Abdul Ghaffar Khan, Deputy Managing Director was the chief guest on the occasion. He appreciated the efforts of Alpine Club of Pakistan for promotion of mountaineering in Pakistan. Later, he distributed certificate among the team members.

Abu Zafar Sadiq, Secretary, ACP, Colonel (r) Manzoor Hussain, President ACP, Muhammad Ali Changezi, Lever Khan, Saad Tariq Siddiqi, Rehmatullah Qureshi were also present at the occasion.