Pakistani climber skis to South Pole in historic feat

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan (MNTV) — Pakistani mountaineer Samina Baig has become the first from her country to ski to the South Pole, completing the arduous expedition on Dec. 14, according to posts she shared on social media.

Baig departed Pakistan on Dec. 2 as part of an international team organized by Elite Exped. She arrived at Antarctica’s Union Glacier on Dec. 6 before beginning the final leg of the journey to the South Pole.

In a Facebook post, Baig described the achievement as one of the most challenging and meaningful experiences of her life, noting that no Pakistani had previously completed a ski expedition to the South Pole.

“From standing on the summit of Mount Everest in 2013 to completing the Seven Summits, from climbing K2 and Nanga Parbat to now reaching the South Pole, this journey has taken me across the highest mountains and most remote places on Earth,” she wrote.

Baig said the expedition required patience, resilience, and faith, pushing her to continue despite uncertainty and extreme physical hardship.

She expressed hope that the accomplishment would inspire others, particularly young women, to pursue ambitious goals despite social and physical barriers.

Baig also thanked her community for financially supporting the expedition, along with her family, fellow team members, Nepali climber Nirmal Purja, and Elite Exped for their encouragement and belief in her.

“Carrying the flag of Pakistan and my Ismaili flag across mountains, continents, and polar ice has been the greatest honor of my life,” she wrote.

Baig is widely regarded as one of Pakistan’s most accomplished climbers, having summited Mount Everest in 2013 and completed the Seven Summits — the highest peaks on each continent — alongside major ascents in the Karakoram and Himalayas.