Stored text
Scaling the Height: Mountaineering Session at Aitchison College Senior School
On October 2, 2025, a mountaineering session was held at Aitchison College, Senior School, which was attended by around eighty students. The event was organised with the help of Mr. Nadeem Babar, an avid adventurer and long-time supporter of outdoor education at Aitchison. His passion for exploration and commitment to inspiring young minds played a key role in bringing the session to life.
The session featured two of Pakistan’s most accomplished mountaineers, Mr. Sirbaz Khan and Mr. Saad Munawar. They shared their remarkable journeys and insights into the world of high-altitude climbing.
Sirbaz Khan, the first and only Pakistani to summit all fourteen eight-thousanders without supplementary oxygen, spoke about his extraordinary pursuit, “Mission Summit 14”. He described the challenges he faced while conquering peaks like K2, Everest, and Shishapangma. His story of perseverance, national pride, and respect for the mountains inspired students to embrace resilience and discipline in their own goals.
Joining him was Mr. Saad Munawar, a mountaineer, writer, and expedition leader, who has led record-breaking climbs across five continents, including the first Pakistani ascent of the North Face of Mount Everest. As a storyteller and mentor, Saad discussed his work in promoting adventure sports, managing expeditions, and uplifting Pakistan’s underrepresented mountaineering community.
The session began with both experts introducing themselves and briefly sharing how their passion for the mountains took root. They then spoke in depth about their expeditions, the physical and mental preparation required for extreme conditions, and the sense of teamwork and leadership that mountaineering demands. Students listened with keen interest as videos and photographs of their climbs were shown, offering a glimpse into the breathtaking yet perilous world of high-altitude adventure.
The event concluded with an engaging question-and-answer session, where students asked about training, dealing with fear, survival in harsh environments, and the importance of environmental conservation in mountain regions. Both speakers encouraged the audience to challenge their limits, explore Pakistan’s stunning landscapes responsibly, and draw inspiration from Nature to strengthen their character and purpose.