7 mountaineers climb Shah Foladi peak in Bamyan

BAMYAN CITY (Pajhwok): Seven mountain climbers summited the highest Baba Mountain in the first Shah Foladi Festival in central Bamyan province, sports officials said on Saturday.

Head of Faratar Az Abr Mountaineering Stadium Murtaza Najafi told Pajhwok Afghan News the first festival of Shah Foladi was held two days ago.

He said among 21 domestic mountaineers, seven succeeded in climbing the 5,140-meter high Shah Foladi peak.

He said one of the successful climbers was from Daikundi, two from Kabul, two from Ghazni and two from Bamyan. They climbed the highest peak of Mount Baba after two days and nights.

Shah Foladi is one of the highest peaks of Baba Mountain, which has dangerous routes and it is extremely difficult for athletes to climb, Najafi added.

The purpose of climbing the Shah Foladi peak is to introduce the natural landscapes of Afghanistan and to create more relationships between athletes inside and outside the country, he explained.

The lack of facilities and support from officials for climbers remain our main problems, athletes said.

Latif Jafari, a climber, said there were no mountaineering facilities in Afghanistan and athletes competed with basic and worn-out facilities. “This is very hard, mountaineers may also face the risk of death”.

hz/ma