Samina Baig makes history for Pakistan by skiing to South Pole

Samina Baig, famous mountaineer from Shimshal, has made history by becoming the first Pakistani to ski to the last degree of the South Pole, completing a major milestone in her pursuit of the Explorer’s Grand Slam. 

According to her brother, she departed from Pakistan on December 2, reached Union Glacier in Antarctica on December 6, and successfully finished her ski journey to the South Pole on December 14 as a part of an international expedition organized by Elite Exped.

Baig described her journey in a post on her Facebook page as one of the most challenging and meaningful experiences of her life. 

She looked back on her career, which has taken her from the summit of Mount Everest in 2013 to the world’s highest peaks and now to one of the most remote places on Earth. 

“This ski journey has never been accomplished by any Pakistani in the past,” she wrote, expressing gratitude and humility for the support she received. 

She stated that this journey has taught her patience, resilience and the power of belief. She also hopes that her achievement would inspire others, especially women, to pursue their dreams regardless of the obstacles. 

She expressed that carrying the Pakistani flag and her Ismaili flag across polar ice was “the greatest achievement of my life”. She, further, thanked her community, family, team, fellow mountaineer Nirmal Purja and Elite Expeditions for their encouragement and support throughout the expedition. 

Samina Baig has multiple feathers in her cap, she became the first Pakistani woman to summit Everest and later completed the highest peaks on all seven continents, before climbing K2 and Nanga Parbat. 

Her successful ski to the South Pole brings her closer to the Explorer’s Grand Slam, which requires reaching both the North and South Poles in addition to the Seven Summits, which she has already achieved.