'Mountaineer mom' Naila Kiani sets her sights on K2.

KARACHI -- Nearly a year after setting a record by becoming the first Pakistani woman to have conquered an 8,000m, Gasherbrum-II, in Pakistan, Naila Kiani on Friday began her journey for K2 expedition this time, but without her mentor the late Ali Raza Sadpara, the one who believed in her prowess and told her she can conquer the world's second highest mountain.

What made her story even more interesting is the fact that 8,035m G2 was the first mountain she had ever climbed and that too around seven months after giving birth. 'My daughter was seven and a half months old when I summited Gasherbrum-II,' the Dubai-based climbing enthusiast, a banker by profession, related over the phone before arriving here to take up the new challenge.

Leaving for Skardu on Saturday after having team briefing on Friday, Naila will be accompanied by accomplished Pakistani mountaineers Sirbaz Khan and Suhail Sakhi, who were with her when she summited G2 with the late Ali Raza Sadpara. 'The same G2 team is going to K2,' said Naila. 'We have decided to dedicate this expedition to Ali Raza chacha.'

Sirbaz has previously summited K2 in 2018.

To be accompanied by climber Sirbaz Khan; will dedicate summit to memory of Ali Raza Sadpara

'When I reached base camp after the G2 summit, Ali Raza chacha was the one who said, 'You can climb K2',' recalled Naila. 'He gave me that confidence.'

Ali Raza chacha, as Naila referred to him, passed away last month while recovering from injuries sustained during a training climb. It was for their upcoming expedition to K2. His loss has hit Naila hard. He was the person who encouraged her the most. 'Several things stood out about him,' she said. 'He was an incredibly humble man. And he would be always teaching and guiding others. Despite being twice as old as most of the others, he was the fastest even when carrying a load. Lastly, the thing I loved about him what that he was always good humoured. There was always a smile on his face. During some of our hardest moments on the mountain, he would crack a joke and we'd all end up laughing.

'My expedition has now taken on a new meaning. I am definitely going. Chacha's not in this world anymore to realise his dream but I will dedicate my climbing expedition to him,' Naila revealed.

Most mountaineers train in the mountains but Naila is based in Dubai. On top of that, K2 is one of the hardest 8,000m mountains to climb...