Kandahar-based team reaches 5,140 meters before forced retreat due to heavy snow
BAMYAN | By Farzana Momand
A mountaineering team from Kandahar was forced to abandon its ascent of Shah Folad peak in Bamyan after severe weather conditions halted progress near the summit.
The nine-member Maiwand team spent approximately 18 hours climbing under difficult conditions, reaching an altitude of 5,140 meters before turning back due to heavy snowfall and deteriorating weather.
The expedition, aimed at promoting mountaineering and strengthening teamwork among athletes, highlighted both the determination of Afghan climbers and the challenges of high-altitude conditions in the country.
Officials from the Bamyan Department of Physical Education and Sports said the decision to retreat was taken to ensure the safety of the climbers as conditions became increasingly unstable.
Shah Folad, one of the highest peaks in the Baba mountain range in central Afghanistan, remains a formidable challenge for climbers, particularly during winter months when extreme cold and heavy snow significantly increase the risks associated with high-altitude expeditions.