Qatari princess conquers Pakistan’s ‘killer mountain' in a historic climb

Dubai: Qatari royal and elite mountaineer Sheikha Asma Al Thani has made history once again, becoming the first woman from her nation to summit Nanga Parbat.

The 8,126‑metre peak in Pakistan’s Gilgit‑Baltistan region, is infamously known as the “Killer Mountain” due to its unforgiving terrain and deadly climbing history.

Last week, welebrated Czech mountaineer Klára Kolouchová, 46, tragically died after falling during an expedition on Nanga Parbat.

This achievement marks the ninth successful ascent in Sheikha Asma’s ambitious mission to conquer all 14 of the world’s “eight-thousanders” — peaks exceeding 8,000 meters. With each climb, she solidifies her place among the elite ranks of high-altitude mountaineers and continues to break barriers for Arab women in extreme adventure sports, according to a report on travelsdubai.com.

A brutal climb

Facing punishing weather, snowstorms, black ice, and relentless rockfall, Sheikha Asma described Nanga Parbat as one of the toughest challenges of her life. In a heartfelt Instagram post, she wrote: “Alhamdulillah, Nanga Parbat. My ninth 8000er and one of the toughest climbs I’ve faced. This mountain tested me in ways I didn’t expect… a constant reminder of how fragile life truly is.”

She also reflected on the emotional toll and transformative power of the climb: “There was surrender and there was strength I didn’t know I still had. I climb not just to reach summits but to return to what matters.”

Flying the flag for women

At the summit, Sheikha Asma proudly raised the Qatari flag, a symbolic act of national pride and a powerful message for gender equality. Her ascent is being widely celebrated as a milestone in both mountaineering and the broader movement for women’s empowerment in the Arab world and beyond.

 Her success on Nanga Parbat brings her closer to joining an elite club of climbers who have summited all 14 eight-thousanders, a feat achieved by only a select few worldwide.

Global recognition

Sheikha Asma’s growing list of achievements, which includes Mount Everest, K2, and Makalu, has earned her global recognition. With each summit, she shares vivid reflections and striking visuals on social media, offering rare insights into the emotional and physical challenges of climbing the world’s tallest peaks.