Omani mountaineer Nadira Al Harthy has shared details of her journey from training on local peaks to reaching the summit of Mount Everest, describing a path shaped by determination, setbacks, and gradual progress.
Speaking at an event marking Sagarmatha Day, organised by the Embassy of Nepal in Oman, she reflected on how her interest in mountaineering developed later in life, after initially working in the public sector and taking up endurance sports in Oman’s mountain regions, including Jabal Shams.
The speech highlighted how inspiration from the first Omani to summit Everest encouraged her to pursue high-altitude climbing, beginning with local training before advancing to international expeditions.
In her remarks, Nadira recounts emotional journey from Oman’s mountains to Mount Everest as she described the physical and emotional challenges of preparing for Everest, including long training phases, endurance races, and early setbacks that tested her confidence.
She recalled participating in demanding races in Oman and experiencing moments of failure that later shaped her resilience, noting that preparation within the country’s varied terrain played a key role in building her endurance.
Her expedition to Everest Base Camp involved weeks of acclimatisation in harsh conditions, where she spent extended periods at high altitude before her summit attempt in 2019. She ultimately reached the peak of Mount Everest on 23 May 2019.
Reflecting on the experience, she said the climb carried both physical difficulty and emotional significance, particularly as she remembered encouragement she received from fellow climbers and mentors during her preparation.
She also noted the broader risks of high-altitude mountaineering, including extreme weather, isolation and the loss of climbers on major expeditions, which she said underline the challenges faced in the sport.
Following her Everest success, Nadira recounts emotional journey from Oman’s mountains to Mount Everest continued as she went on to summit several of the world’s highest and most dangerous peaks, including K2 and other major mountains in Asia.
Her achievements have since been shared in educational and youth programmes in Oman, where she encourages young people to engage with outdoor activities and explore the country’s mountainous landscapes safely.
The story has gained attention in Oman as an example of how local training environments can contribute to global sporting achievement, particularly in endurance and adventure disciplines increasingly popular across the Gulf region.
