Samar Khan
Hailing from the district Khas Dir of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Samar Khan is a trailblazing Pakistani adventure athlete known for her unparalleled achievements in extreme sports. She made history as the first woman to cycle on the Biafo Glacier and Godwin Austen Glacier in the Karakoram mountains, as well as the first Pakistani woman to summit Mount Elbrus, Europe’s highest peak at 5642 meters. In 2017, she also became the first Pakistani to cycle on Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest peak. Her pioneering spirit extends beyond personal achievements as she founded ‘Samar Camp,’ offering sports camps for girls and women in Pakistan, promoting mountain biking, backpacking, and snowboarding.
Khan’s dedication and resilience in overcoming societal barriers have earned her numerous awards. She won a silver medal at the Sadia Khan Championship in 2022 and won in the Redbull Homerun snowboarding category in 2021. She also conquered a previously unscaled 5610-meter peak in Shimshal, Gilgit Baltistan, later named ‘Ghar-e-Samar’ in her honour. Recognized as the ‘Pride of Pakistan’ in 2021, Khan has shared her inspiring journey as a TEDx speaker and served as a goodwill ambassador for WWF Pakistan. Her efforts have been celebrated by platforms like the Pakistan Super League, Women Sports Alliance, and Conclave Pakistan.
In addition to her sporting achievements, Samar Khan’s contributions to the global sports community have been significant. Selected by the ESPNW Global Sports Mentoring Program, she was mentored by Burton Snowboards in the United States. With a master’s degree in applied physics from Federal Urdu University and a background in paragliding from the Army School of Physical Training, Kakul, Khan represents the epitome of a modern-day adventurer and an advocate for women’s empowerment in sports.
