Pak China Friendship Expedition 2013 Climbs Mt Muztagh Ata (7,546 m) in China on 24th July 2013

                    

 Joint Pak - China Friendship Expedition 2013 climbed 7,546 m high Mt Muztagh Ata, situated in Xinjiang Autonomous Region China today ie, 24^th July 2013. Leader of Pakistani team Mr Rehamat Ullah along with team member Dr Naveed Iqbal accompanied by five Chinese members departed from Camp III at midnight and managed to reach the summit of Mt Muztagh Ata at 07:00 am today. Third member of the team Ahmad Mujtaba was forced back short of the summit due to strong winds. Rehmat Ullah reported cloudy weather with very high winds in the range of 35-45 kms an hour which did not allow the climbers to stay for long on the summit. The expedition members quickly retreated to the safety of Camp III later. The team leader Mr Rehmat Ullah speaking from Muztagh Ata summit thanked all well wishes for their prayers for their success. All members also took turn to speak to the President ACP Manzoor Hussain from the summit as well as from Camp III.

The expedition was launched by Alpine Club of Pakistan jointly with Chinese Mountaineering Association to express solidarity with the Chinese mountaineers after the Nanga Parbat Diamer Base Camp tragedy and to pay tribute to the two slain Chinese mountaineers. The expedition earlier left Islamabad on 5^th July and reached the Base Camp on 10^th July. In their final attempt for the summit they climbed to Camp I (5,200) on 21^st July and then were in Camp II (6,000 m) on 22^nd July. The expedition was able to reach Camp III (6,900 m) on 23^rd July from where they launched their summit bid at midnight.  

President and all members of the ACP have congratulated the Pakistan Team on their grand successful climb. President ACP said that it demonstrates their dogged determination, strength and climbing skills. He congratulated all the members on attaining the laid down objectives of the expedition. He also thanked the Chinese side for their support in launching this expedition.

The expedition is expected to reach Base Camp by tomorrow. Their return journey back home is being finalised.