05/04/2022
إِنَّا ِلِلَّٰهِ وَإِنَّا إِلَيْهِ رَاجِعُونَ
Today, the mountaineering community lost a legend, Little Karim.
International Hero, Pride of Mountains and the legendary mountaineer Mr. Little Karim is no more with us. He has introduced Pakistan in west by his marvellous and amazing services on high summits throughout his life.
In 1978, British mountaineer Chris Bonington needed porters for his K2 expedition. Karim was also there to audition. When Bonington saw Karim, he rejected him by saying, “you are too little!” The disheartened 5-foot 2-inch Karim lifted the 6-foot 6-inch tall man from his legs and ran across the length of the ground. Everyone laughed, but Karim had proven his strength. Bonnington took him on this expedition, and so did Karim start his mountaineering journey. Later on, Karim successfully climbed G2 (8,035-m) and Broad Peak (8,051-m). On G2, he hauled 25 kilos of luggage to the summit without supplementary oxygen.
Little Karim attempted K2 (8,611-m) nine times as part of different expeditions but couldn’t summit due to unfavorable weather. Besides, Karim is known for his heroic feats in resuing climbers at high altitudes on his own.
European filmmakers made a couple of documentary films on Karim, his statues have been erected in Spanish markets in his honour. He speaks with mountains, knows hidden ways into the mountains.
In Spain, he met Cristiano Ronaldo, who presented him with a signed Ronalod 7 football jersey. Despite all this, Little Karim remained largely obscure in his own country. When he became ill and went unemployed, his family couldn’t afford his medical expenses and had to even put up Ronaldo’s shirt on sale.
RIP Little Karim, a underrated national hero of Gilgit-Baltistan.....!!
May Allah Almighty rest his soul in eternal peace and comfort!
Our deepest condolences to the family....
Team Travelenturous
