Top Oman Everest Climber Dies in Pakistan
Oman has been plunged into mourning following the tragic death of pioneering mountaineer Nadhira bint Ahmed Al Harthy on Thursday, whose life was cut short in a devastating avalanche while climbing in northern Pakistan, bringing an abrupt end to the extraordinary journey of the woman who inspired a generation by carrying the Omani flag to some of the world’s highest and most dangerous peaks.
Nadhira was among a 10-strong team of climbers reported missing following the avalanche in Pakistan-administered Gilgit-Baltistan while attempting to climb Broad Peak, the world’s 12th-highest mountain at 8,047 metres. Her death – alongside that of the Nepalese climber Pur Bahadur Gurung – was announced by the Alpine Club of Pakistan on social media on Friday.
Nadhira etched her name into Oman’s history books in 2019 when she became the first Omani woman to conquer Mount Everest, planting the national flag atop the world’s highest mountain and inspiring countless young Omanis to dream beyond perceived limits.
Nadhira, who was the second Omani national to summit Mount Everest after late Khalid Al Siyabi, became a landmark figure for adventurers across the Sultanate of Oman.
Among the seven still missing from the 10-person expedition on Broad Peak, is renowned Nepal-born climber Nirmal Purja. The multinational climbing group was being led by Purja. He is known for climbing all 14 of the world’s 8,000m-plus mountains in just over six months in 2019.
Three of four climbers’ bodies have been located by Pakistani search crews.
Nadhira’s death triggered an unprecedented wave of grief across the Sultanate, with ministries, senior officials, diplomats, sports personalities and ordinary citizens paying tribute to a woman widely regarded as a symbol of courage, resilience and national pride.
Tributes also spread widely across social media, where thousands of Omanis shared messages celebrating her legacy.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that it is working closely with the relevant Pakistani authorities to complete the formalities required to repatriate Al Harthy’s body to Oman after it was recovered during a difficult search and recovery mission on Broad Peak. Times of Oman
In a statement, a spokesperson for the ministry’s Consular Department expressed profound sorrow over the loss, while extending heartfelt condolences to her family and loved ones.
The ministry also highlighted that Nadhira’s impact reached far beyond mountaineering.
As Chairperson of the Oman-Nepal Friendship Association, she played a significant role in strengthening humanitarian and cultural relations between Oman and Nepal, promoting friendship, cooperation and community engagement.
The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth described her as one of Oman’s most inspiring personalities, saying her life represented ambition, perseverance and determination. The ministry said the nation had lost an exceptional figure whose achievements would continue to inspire future generations long after her passing.
The Civil Defence and Ambulance Authority also mourned her death, remembering her as a passionate advocate of safety awareness. The authority said she consistently demonstrated exemplary commitment to safety procedures during her expeditions and actively supported initiatives aimed at promoting a culture of safety throughout society.
Condolences poured in from prominent Omani figures who remembered not only her remarkable achievements but also her character and determination.
Saud Al Harthy described his cousin as a young woman defined by resilience, strength and an unwavering determination to succeed. He said she had left behind a legacy of extraordinary accomplishments that would continue to elevate Oman’s name on the international stage.
Former leading women’s sports administrator Saada Al Ismaili paid tribute to what she described as her inspiring national, educational, sporting and historical legacy. She praised her ability to pursue the demanding mountaineering pursuits, while proudly raising Oman’s flag atop some of the world’s most challenging mountains.
Khalid Al Muslahi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for Administrative and Financial Affairs, described Nadhira as the embodiment of perseverance and determination. He said she would forever be remembered as the first Omani woman to stand on the summit of Mount Everest and as a lasting symbol of courage whose legacy would remain deeply rooted in the hearts of Omanis.
Pakistan’s Ambassador to Oman, Naveed Safdar Bokhari, also expressed his condolences.
“Deeply saddened by the tragic news of demise of Nadhira Al Harthy in an avalanche accident. She was a legend in the field of mountaineering and a great source of inspiration for millions. I wish to convey our heartfelt condolences to her family and the entire Omani nation.”
Nadhira etched her name into Oman’s history books in 2019 when she became the first Omani woman to conquer Mount Everest, planting the national flag atop the world’s highest mountain and inspiring countless young Omanis to dream beyond perceived limits.
Nadhira’s high-altitude accomplishments also included successful summits of several of the world’s most formidable 8,000m peaks, including Manaslu, K2, and Nanga Parbat.
She became the first Arab woman to reach the summit of Nepal’s challenging Ama Dablam. Earlier in her mountaineering career, she had also climbed Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest mountain.
To many Omanis, however, her greatest achievement extended beyond records and summits. She became a role model who inspired women, young people and aspiring adventurers to pursue ambitious dreams while proudly representing their country on the world stage.
Following a challenging search and recovery operation, Nadhira’s body was recovered from Broad Peak and was transported by helicopter to Skardu. From there, arrangements are being made to repatriate her remains to Oman, where family, friends and the nation will bid a final farewell to a woman whose courage took the Omani flag to the roof of the world—and whose legacy will continue to inspire generations to come. Times of Oman
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