MANSEHRA: A team of 10 mountaineers from different parts of the country scaled Siren valley`s highest peak during a three-day expedition after braving rough weather from rain to windstorms and heavy snowfall in Himalayan mountainous range.

`Our expedition was full of adventurism as we scaled the 4300-meter highest Gargo peak braving rains, windstorms and heavy snowfall last week,` team leader Asif Bhatti told reporters here on Monday.

Mr Bhatti said his team had begun the expedition in Mundi forests of Siren valley and covered high mountains, thick forests, streams before reaching the Gargo peak, which fell inHimalayan rangein Mansehra district.

He said snow continued to fall in that Himalayan range, which was spread over Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Kaghan and Battagram.

`When we crossed Khanda Galli situated at 3459 meters above the sea level, heavy snow and windstorm welcomed us but we continued with the journey taking all possible precautions, he said.

The mountaineer said he was the first Pakistani to climb 6550 meters high Khusar Gung peak in Shanger valley of Skardu but the weather he and his team braved in Siren valley was harsher.

He said if the government promoted adventure tourism, the country could earn huge revenue every year.