Hassan Sadpara
Hassan Asad Khan (born April 03, 1963) is a mountaineer and high altitude porter from Sadpara village near Skardu, Pakistan. He is commonly known as Hassan Sadpara, cognomen representing his village. In 2007 he became second Pakistani to climb all five eight-thousanders (K2,NP,GI,BP,GII) situated in Pakistani territory; Rajab Shah was the first one to do so. Hassan is also the second Pakistani to summit Everest. He also holds the honor of being only Pakistani who has made it to the summit of six discrete 8000ers mountains (not to be confused with repeated ascent of some peak, like Nisar Hussain has summited five eight-thousanders, 10 times). Hassan Sadpara was honored with President’s Pride of Performance (Medal) by Government of Pakistan in 2008.
Hassan Sadpara never had an opportunity to go to a school for formal education. Deeply inspired by his father, Hassan started his mountaineering carrier in 1996 at age 33. His first 'big' altitude climbing task was the Koreans expedition to Broad Peak in 1996. None of the team members could reach the main summit, though Hassan climbed to the Rocky Foresummit (8031m). He was on Gasherbrum II in 1998 and worked for Italian and French teams but couldn't make it to summit. Impressed by brave rescue efforts of resilient Hassan Sadpara on Gasherbrum II, Germans hired him for expedition to Nanga Parbat next year. His strength and endurance shined. After four days of eating virtually nothing, he went on to become the first person to stand on summit of Nanga Parbat that year. It was Hassan’s first 8000er ascent.
Hassan climbed K2 in 2004 as a part of expedition celebrating Golden Jubilee of K2’s first ascent. He was a high altitude porter whose summit day(or night?) started at 10PM, fixing ropes above 8000m and eventually reaching summit at around 6AM, without supplemental oxygen. He climbed GI and GII duo within five days time span (22nd and 27th July) in 2006. Following year, he summited Broad peaking along with his younger brother, to become the second Pakistani and First Balti to summit 5x8000ers in Pakistan.
On Jan. 23, 2009, Hassan met President Asif Zardari at the Presidential palace in Islamabad to seek financial aid to fulfill his dream of climbing Everest. The help did arrive and Hassan went to Everest in spring 2011. He faced strong winds and deep snow during final stages of ascent, which forced him to use supplemental oxygen but turning back was not an option. He summited on 12th May.
Currently, he works as an altitude porter and runs a shop of dealing in mountaineering equipment. He is a humble fellow with a good heart and has participated in several rescue efforts. He is well known for being part of several hard-core mountaineering expeditions alike Polish Nanga Parbat 2006/07. He strongly believes that he can make it to 14x8000ers, if financially supported. Keeping his previous record in mind, his claim surely seems realistic. Hassan’s brother Muhammad Sadiq is also an altitude porter with several 8000ers summits under his belt. Hassan Sadpara is a practicing Muslim who prays five times a day and never tasted alcohol. He wants no awards and medals for his brilliance, but a hospital in his village.
8000er Profile:
1996 Broad Peak Rocky Foresummit (8031m)
1999 Nanga Parbat (8126m)
2004 K2 (8611m)
2006 Gasherbrum II (8034)
2006 Gasherbrum I (8080m)
2007 Broad Peak (8051m)
2011 Everest (8848m)
Hassan Sadpara never had an opportunity to go to a school for formal education. Deeply inspired by his father, Hassan started his mountaineering carrier in 1996 at age 33. His first 'big' altitude climbing task was the Koreans expedition to Broad Peak in 1996. None of the team members could reach the main summit, though Hassan climbed to the Rocky Foresummit (8031m). He was on Gasherbrum II in 1998 and worked for Italian and French teams but couldn't make it to summit. Impressed by brave rescue efforts of resilient Hassan Sadpara on Gasherbrum II, Germans hired him for expedition to Nanga Parbat next year. His strength and endurance shined. After four days of eating virtually nothing, he went on to become the first person to stand on summit of Nanga Parbat that year. It was Hassan’s first 8000er ascent.
Hassan climbed K2 in 2004 as a part of expedition celebrating Golden Jubilee of K2’s first ascent. He was a high altitude porter whose summit day(or night?) started at 10PM, fixing ropes above 8000m and eventually reaching summit at around 6AM, without supplemental oxygen. He climbed GI and GII duo within five days time span (22nd and 27th July) in 2006. Following year, he summited Broad peaking along with his younger brother, to become the second Pakistani and First Balti to summit 5x8000ers in Pakistan.
On Jan. 23, 2009, Hassan met President Asif Zardari at the Presidential palace in Islamabad to seek financial aid to fulfill his dream of climbing Everest. The help did arrive and Hassan went to Everest in spring 2011. He faced strong winds and deep snow during final stages of ascent, which forced him to use supplemental oxygen but turning back was not an option. He summited on 12th May.
Currently, he works as an altitude porter and runs a shop of dealing in mountaineering equipment. He is a humble fellow with a good heart and has participated in several rescue efforts. He is well known for being part of several hard-core mountaineering expeditions alike Polish Nanga Parbat 2006/07. He strongly believes that he can make it to 14x8000ers, if financially supported. Keeping his previous record in mind, his claim surely seems realistic. Hassan’s brother Muhammad Sadiq is also an altitude porter with several 8000ers summits under his belt. Hassan Sadpara is a practicing Muslim who prays five times a day and never tasted alcohol. He wants no awards and medals for his brilliance, but a hospital in his village.
8000er Profile:
1996 Broad Peak Rocky Foresummit (8031m)
1999 Nanga Parbat (8126m)
2004 K2 (8611m)
2006 Gasherbrum II (8034)
2006 Gasherbrum I (8080m)
2007 Broad Peak (8051m)
2011 Everest (8848m)
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