Afghan mountaineer Samuel Sidiqi summits Aconcagua to promote mountain sports in Afghanistan

Afghan mountaineer Samuel Sidiqi has summited Mount Aconcagua, at 6,962 meters the highest peak in the Americas and one of the Seven Summits. He reached the summit on February 14, 2026, with logistical support from Grajales Expeditions, marking another milestone following his 2023 ascent of Mount Everest as the first Afghan national to do so.

Sidiqi's climb supports his work as founder of Afghan Peaks, a U.S.-registered 501(c)(3) charity aimed at building mountain skills among Afghans, promoting environmental stewardship, and developing outdoor education. The organization focuses on skiing, mountaineering, avalanche awareness, and youth training, particularly in Afghanistan's Bamiyan region through community-based ski programs.

"Each climb is an opportunity to show Afghan boys and girls that there are no limits to what they can achieve. The mountains teach patience, responsibility, and teamwork—values that matter both on and off the mountain," Sidiqi said.

Afghan Peaks plans to continue partnering locally and internationally for mountain sport development, avalanche education, and environmental preservation. The group highlights Afghanistan's mountain potential, including the Hindu Kush, Pamir Mountains, and Koh-i-Baba range, with peaks exceeding 7,000 meters such as Noshaq at 7,492 meters in the eastern Hindu Kush near Pakistan.

These landscapes offer opportunities for expedition climbing, trekking, ski mountaineering, and grassroots outdoor development, potentially fostering a sustainable mountain economy through eco-tourism, guided expeditions, and local services that create jobs while promoting environmental stewardship.