ISLAMABAD, Dec 1: After becoming the first Pakistani woman to conquer the highest mountain in the world in May this year, Samina Baig flew out of the country to attempt to climb seven famous peaks across as many continents.

Accompanied by her brother Mirza Ali, Samina left Islamabad for Buenos Aires, Argentina, early Saturday to climb the 6,961 metres high Mount Aconcagua there.The duo would then attempt to summit Mount Vinson, 4,892 metres in Antarctica and Mount McKinley, 6,194 metres in Alaska.

President Alpine Federation of Pakistan (AFP) Col Manzoor Hussain said all these were not easy mountaineering undertakings. He, however, wished success and good luck for the siblings at a reception held to see them off here on Saturday.

Explaining details of their mission, Mirza Ali, who could not summit Mount Everest on May 19, 2013, along with her sister, said: `We are heading for Argentina to climb Mt Aconcagua in December.` Heexplained how they would leave for Antarctica in January to climb Mount Vinson later travelling to Tanzania to climb Mt Kilimanjaro before returning to Pakistan.

He said that later they would be travelling to Indonesia to attempt Puncak Jaya, which is 4,884 metres high. Mirza Ali also spoke about his plans to attempt the 8,848 metre-high Mt Everest again next year.

During the next summer, the pair will be attempting Mt McKinley in Alaska. Both will be flying to Russia to climb thehighest mountain in Europe Elbrus,5,642 metres tall which will be their last target peak in August 2014.

He informed the gathering that a Pakistani-Canadian philanthropist and a few of his overseas friends were financing their venture.

According to Karrar Haidri, the member executive council of the AFP, Samina Baig and Mirza Ali were the first Pakistanis to attempt such a mountaineering feat. He described it as a record attempt.

He added that the adventures were also being supported by a few embassies in Islamabad and friends from the mountaineering community.

However, support from the Pakistan government to promote the country`s soft image abroad remained minimal.

Federal Minister for InterProvincial Coordination Riaz Hussain Pirzada, who was invited as chief guest to the event, could not attend the reception but sent a message of good wishes for the two mountaineers.

The pair was handed over Pakistani flags mounted on ice axes for hoisting on the seven summits.