From Kilimanjaro to Elbrus to Aconcagua: Samar’s Unstoppable Journey

Samar on the summit of Elbrus.

Samar, one of our 2024 Summit Scholarship recipients, is redefining what it means to be a trailblazer in every sense. Hailing from a small village in the Hindukush Mountains of Pakistan, she has faced enormous challenges—both on and off the mountains—but her resilience, determination, and passion for the outdoors continue to push her forward. Samar recently made headlines when she not only summited Mount Elbrus, Europe’s highest peak but became the first Pakistani to snowboard down its slopes. Now, she’s preparing for an exciting new chapter: climbing Aconcagua, South America’s highest peak.

Samar’s journey into the world of adventure sports began in her mid-twenties when a paragliding course with the Pakistan Army changed her life forever. This experience led her to pursue mountaineering, mountain biking, and climbing, even though she had to overcome societal expectations and cultural barriers that made these activities nearly impossible for women in her region. Growing up, Samar had always questioned why girls weren’t allowed the same freedoms as boys, but it wasn’t until she encountered the outdoors that she found the strength to challenge those norms.

"It was the first time I felt strong and free," she says, reflecting on her early experiences in the mountains. That feeling of empowerment has only grown over the years as Samar has pushed herself to higher peaks, tougher challenges, and bolder dreams. Her mountaineering accomplishments are impressive—Kilimanjaro, several 5000-meter peaks in the Karakoram, then Mount Elbrus, and now the mighty Stone Sentinal—Aconcagua.   

We had the opportunity to get to know Samar a little better and chat a little more about receiving the Summit Scholarship and her upcoming climb on Aocncagua. So, with no further ado, meet Samar. 

Hi Samar! Can you describe how you felt when you found out you had won? I was screaming for quite a long time while sharing the news with my mother and siblings, as I had been trying to climb Aconcagua for three years. I was continuously visualizing myself on Aconcagua, and it took quite a while to process the news. 

Samar is from a village in the Hindukush Mountains of Pakistan

What do you do to fill your days? My days are divided into two main parts: one is physical and psychological training to strengthen myself. The other part is working online to prepare for upcoming expeditions and training camps, updating my social media platforms, and connecting to the right organizations for building partnerships. The weekends are my time to have fun with my nephew and niece.

How did you get started in adventuring? Curiosity and many unanswered 'whys' led me to adventure sports: why aren't girls allowed to play outside? Why can only boys go to the gym? Why do I only see white men on our mountains (in Pakistan)? While growing up, I was so tired of listening to society, tired of being a weak woman, and tired of facing violence. So, when I encountered adventure sports, it was the first time I felt strong and free; it helped me to know about myself and my strengths, which I never knew before. 

What barriers have you faced in mountaineering? When I started my journey of mountain sports with a naive and innocent mind, not knowing the tricks of the trade, it brought many individuals in my way who took advantage of it, charging extra money, creating uncomfortable situations in camp, and running hate campaigns online. Many sports officials closed the doors on me and then began to speak against me when I started learning and achieving milestones on my own. I kept training myself mentally more than physically and started connecting to women in mountain communities to level the playing field.

Tell us about a time in the outdoors that solidified your love and desire for mountaineering. For me, it wasn't a single moment but multiple instances of feeling immense freedom, strength, and pure bliss that made me realize that mountains are where I become the best version of myself, where I can learn and express myself, and where I belong.

Tell us about a person who inspires you. It's always my future self that inspires me to do more and become better. I remember there was no local example to look up to when I started adventure sports, and I used to visualize myself in expeditions I wanted to experience and that strength that I wanted to have.

Tell us about your biggest mountaineering ambition or dream! The Explorer's Grand Slam, which means climbing all the Seven Summits and reaching the North and South Poles. 

What do you hope to learn during your experience as a Summit Scholarship recipient? The thought of climbing Aconcagua with so many accomplished mountain women makes me realize that I'll have this huge opportunity to learn not only about mountaineering but also about dealing with life's challenges in a different way. I am expecting a vast shift in my awareness of the technical skills in mountain sports.

Samar, here we go! It’s time to climb to the Roof of Africa in the company of other strong women. We cannot wait to continue to watch your continued success as you prepare to climb Aconcagua and make your way to the tallest peak in South America and beyond. To follow along with Samar’s journey, head to our expedition partner AWExpedition’s Instagram or Facebook.