Nadhira Al Harthy: Trailblazing Omani Mountaineer and Explorer

Nadhira bint Ahmed Abdullah Al Harthy (1978 – 30 July 2026) was an Omani civil servant and mountaineer. She gained international recognition as the first Omani woman to climb Mount Everest, alongside achieving historic summits on several other notable eight-thousanders and alpine peaks.

Early Life and Career

Born in Muscat, Oman, in 1978, Al Harthy pursued her education at the Rustaq College of Education, where she earned a master's degree in geography. She initially worked as a geography teacher for four years before transitioning to a role as a civil servant with Oman's Ministry of Education, eventually serving as the director of citizenship.

Her involvement in outdoor expeditions expanded in 2015 when she led a student group to Tanzania to scale Mount Kilimanjaro. Although altitude sickness prevented her from completing that specific ascent at the time, it catalyzed her dedication to high-altitude mountaineering.

Climbing Career and Milestones

Inspired by Khalid Al Siyabi—the first Omani man to scale Mount Everest—Al Harthy established a rigorous training regimen involving regular gym work, running, and climbing terrain within Oman. In 2018, she participated in the Ultra-Trail Mont Blanc and attempted Nepal's Ama Dablam.

In 2019, Al Harthy achieved a historic milestone by becoming the second person from Oman and the first Omani woman to summit Mount Everest. Her expedition team included fellow Arab climbers Mona Shahab, Joyce Azzam, and Nelly Attar. Continuing her high-altitude pursuits, she climbed Manaslu in 2021 and became the first woman from the Arab world to summit Ama Dablam.

In subsequent years, Al Harthy continued breaking barriers. In July 2022, she became the first Omani woman to summit K2. She also climbed the Matterhorn in 2023, and on July 10, 2024, she successfully summitted Nanga Parbat as part of a 10-person team, becoming the first Omani to conquer the peak.

Final Expedition and Death

In 2026, Al Harthy traveled to Pakistan as part of an ongoing effort to scale all fourteen of the world's eight-thousander peaks, with planned attempts on Broad Peak and Gasherbrum I. On 30 July 2026, her expedition team was struck by an avalanche on Broad Peak. The Alpine Club of Pakistan confirmed her death alongside nine other climbers on 31 July 2026. Following her passing, the Foreign Ministry of Oman expressed official condolences and commended her role in fostering cultural and athletic ties between Oman and nations like Pakistan and Nepal.