KATHMANDU JANUARY 21
Elite Iranian climber Andrew Aziz (Amin Aziz Nia) has achieved a remarkable feat by becoming the first Iranian man to climb Vinson Massif, the highest peak in Antarctica, which stands at 4,892 meters (16,050 feet).
According to the organisers, this challenging expedition was led by the experienced Nepali climber and expedition leader, Jangbu Sherpa. With the support of Alpine Ascent International, the duo successfully summited Vinson Massif at 15:55 pm. This mountain is known for its daunting challenges, including a remote location in Antarctica, high winds, and extreme cold temperatures, reaching as low as -60°C (-76°F).
Jangbu Sherpa, aged 42, is not only a Nepali climber but also an international mountain guide. He has successfully summited Everest five times, as well as Lhotse and Dhaulagiri. Currently based in the USA, he leads expeditions across major mountains globally with Alpine Ascent International.
Andrew Aziz, an Iranian-Canadian high-altitude climber, previously climbed Everest in 2023 with the support of Kaitu Expedition and Lhakpa Nuru Sherpa. A leading figure in the third generation of Iranian elite climbers, Andrew has been focusing on summiting high-altitude mountains outside Iran, particularly in the Himalayas and South America. Residing in Vancouver, he moved there to pursue a Ph.D. in chemical engineering. Besides his climbing pursuits, he is an investor, trader, author, and the managing director of Peak Capital Trading. He is currently being trained for the 7 summits by professional coach Adrien Thevenet, founder of RunForce endurance coaching.
Dedicating this historic summit to all Iranians, Andrew aims to highlight their potential as adventurous explorers beyond the Middle East and Asia and more in areas that are less climbed by Iranians, such as the Andes range in South America and Antartica. In a social media video, he also expressed admiration for his role model, Azim Gheychisaz, one of Iran's best mountaineers. Azim has conquered all 14 peaks above 8,000 meters, many without supplemental oxygen, including Everest. He is a prominent figure among Iranian Himalayan climbers, often referred to as the second generation of adventurers.
With this ascent of Vinson Massif in Antarctica, Andrew Aziz has now climbed some of the most significant mountains across all seven continents. He plans to complete the Seven Summits challenge by 2024, with climbs scheduled for Elbrus and Denali within the year to become the first Iranian man to complete the Seven Summits challenge.
It's noteworthy that the first Iranian woman to climb Vinson Massif in Antarctica is Dr. Sara Safari, an Iranian-American climber who completed the Seven Summits challenge in 2023.
