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Afghan Women Plan to Climb Afghanistan’s Highest Peak

Thirteen Afghan women are attempting to climb Afghanistan’s highest mountain, Mount Noshaq 7,492 metres, which has only been climbed by two Afghans, both men.

Niloofar Nooristani, 21, and Soheila Hamidi, 20, are two of the 13 women who will be attempting Mount Noshaq. Together, with their American backers from the NGO called Ascend, the women hope climb Noshaq later this year.

Mount Noshaq seen from the base camp. Photo Louis Meunier in July 2009
Mount Noshaq seen from the base camp. Photo Louis Meunier in July 2009

America’s radio network, NPR, has been covering the expedition from day one and here is the latest.

The women are facing many challenges, including the Taliban, nutritious food, proper equipment and cultural hurdles, but they are determined to make the expedition a success.

Follow along on their journey on Ascend’s Facebook page.

The first ascent of Mount Noshaq was in 1960 by Japanese climbers, Toshiaki Sakai and Goro Iwatsubo, who climbed the southeast ridge from the Qadzi Deh Glacier. The normal route has become the west ridge and peak has only been climbed in winter once.

In 2012, this film was released about the first Afghan ascent of Mount Noshaq:

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