Naila Kiani, who has resided in Dubai for eight years. has etched her name in mountaineering history by accomplishing a remarkable feat. In a single day, she not only became the first Pakistani woman to summit Nanga Parbat but also achieved the incredible milestone of conquering seven 8000m+ peaks. Her awe-inspiring journey of perseverance and triumph serves as a beacon of inspiration, particularly for Muslim women in mountaineering.
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Reaching the peak of the world’s ninth-highest mountain earlier this month has solidified Naila’s position as a trailblazer in many communities. The mother of two accomplished seven 8,000m+ summits within a mere two years after her initial ascent of G2 in Pakistan. With unwavering determination, passion and will power, Naila has scaled G2, K2, G1, Annapurna, Everest, Lhotse, and now Nanga Parbat.
Naila’s achievements serve as a symbol of empowerment for Muslim women around the globe as well as Pakistani women. Below, read our exclusive interview with Naila, where we discuss some of her biggest obstacles, accomplishments and her future aspirations.
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GRAZIA: What were some of the challenges you faced during your mountaineering journey, and how did you overcome them?
N.K.: One of the biggest challenges I had was that people discouraged me from climbing high altitude peaks as they thought it’d be dangerous as a woman and it’s not something that women do. I didn’t listen to anyone and stayed focused. Even after I climbed K2, that’s considered one of the most challenging peaks, people didn’t take me serious. That pushed me even more to continue climbing. Most of my critics were quieter when I managed to be the first climber internationally to reach the summit of Everest in 2023 and then Lhotse too within 2 days.
GRAZIA: How did it feel to reach the summit of Nanga Parbat and solidify your place as a trailblazer in high-altitude climbing?
N.K.: Nanga Parbat is one of my favourite climbs as I felt much stronger and faster than all my previous climbs. The feedback I got from other experienced climbers who I climbed with in the past was that it was amazing and that they felt I was much more confident and seemed more skilled than before.
GRAZIA: Could you tell us about the physical and mental preparation required to achieve such remarkable feats in just two years of climbing?
N.K.: I prepared myself physically with a personal coach for months beforehand. Climbing multiple 8000er peaks requires very good physical strength but more importantly it requires strong mental power as your mind keeps you going even when body feels like it has no energy left. Mental strength I’ve only been able to practise in my training, then only when I’m on the mountain can I let it be challenged at the next level.
GRAZIA: What role has your family played in supporting your mountaineering pursuits?
N.K.: I couldn’t have done what I did in the last two years if my family, especially my husband didn’t support me. He is very hands-on and is an amazing husband and father so when I leave my 2 and 4 years old girls, I have no doubt they will be well looked-after. Women in the Muslim world have all sort of talents and dreams and a lot of the times they remain unfulfilled due to the lack of support-structure from the family and preconceived ideas of what their role is in the family. I am blessed that my husband is not of this mindset and he supports my journey.
GRAZIA: As the first Pakistani woman to summit seven 8000m+ peaks, what message would you like to convey to women who aspire to pursue their dreams fearlessly, regardless of societal expectations?
N.K.: Dream big, work hard to achieve your dreams, don’t worry about what others will say. Be the trailblazer who will pave way for other women to follow.
GRAZIA: What are your future goals and aspirations as a mountaineer, and how do you plan to continue pushing the boundaries of human achievement?
N.K.: I plan to climb as many 8000ers as I can this year and next. Once I am done, I will continue trying all sorts of adventure sports.
