Friday 31 / July / 2026
Just two months ago, Nadira Al Harthy stood before an audience at the Embassy of Nepal in Muscat, radiating confidence and determination as she shared the story of her remarkable journey from Oman's mountains to the summit of Mount Everest. Speaking at the Sagarmatha Day celebrations, she left the audience inspired with a message that dreams become reality through perseverance, adding that she still had many more peaks to conquer.
Today, that dream has been cut tragically short. The Alpine Club of Pakistan has confirmed the death of the pioneering Omani mountaineer after a powerful avalanche struck Broad Peak (8,047 metres) in Pakistan's Karakoram range during an expedition on July 30.
According to the club, Al Harthy was among the climbers caught below Camp III. Her body was recovered and airlifted to Skardu, while search and rescue operations continue for several climbers who remain missing.
The international expedition brought together climbers from Pakistan, Nepal, Oman, China and the United States. Rescue teams, supported by helicopters, have intensified efforts in the treacherous terrain.
Earlier reports confirmed that four bodies had been recovered, while official identification of all the victims is continuing. Among those still reported missing are renowned Nepali climber Nirmal Purja, Pakistan's Sohail Sakhi, China's Wang Zhong, American Mallory Geis and several experienced Sherpas.
For Oman, Nadira's death is more than the loss of a celebrated mountaineer. It is the loss of a trailblazer who transformed what once seemed impossible into an attainable dream for countless young Omanis.
She etched her name into the country's history by becoming the first Omani woman and only the second Omani to summit Mount Everest. She later went on to conquer some of the world's most formidable mountains, including K2, Manaslu, Gasherbrum II and Nanga Parbat, earning admiration across the international climbing community.
Yet, it was not only her achievements that inspired people, but also the honesty with which she spoke about failure, fear and resilience.
Addressing the Sagarmatha Day gathering in Muscat, Nadira revealed that mountaineering had never been part of her childhood ambitions. Her journey began after hearing about the achievements of the late Khalid Al Siyabi, the first Omani to climb Everest.
"If somebody can do it, then I can do it too," she had said.
She recalled training relentlessly on Jabal Shams, enduring exhausting races in Oman and overcoming moments when she questioned whether she would ever reach Everest.
"I learned that if I was not ready to fail, I would never be ready to succeed," she told the audience.
She also spoke candidly about the harsh realities of high-altitude climbing, describing violent storms, freezing temperatures, exhaustion and the loss of fellow climbers on previous expeditions. In one of the most poignant moments of her address, she reminded the audience that mountains are as unforgiving as they are beautiful.
"Sometimes we see bodies on the mountains," she had said quietly. "We all share the same dream, but the mountains remind us how fragile life can be."
Those words now carry heartbreaking significance.
Nadira had dedicated much of her time to encouraging young Omanis to embrace adventure responsibly through programmes with the Ministry of Education and hiking groups, believing that nature could teach resilience, humility and courage.
Her contribution was also recognised by the Civil Defense and Ambulance Authority (CDAA), which mourned her passing and described her as an exemplar in adhering to safety procedures. The authority said she had worked alongside it in supporting awareness programmes aimed at fostering a culture of safety, extending its heartfelt condolences to her family and loved ones.
Ironically, the woman who had often spoken about the dangers of the mountains ultimately lost her life doing what she loved most.
Her final public message now resonates more deeply than ever.
"We all have our own Everest," she had told the audience in Muscat. "Maybe your Everest is different from mine, but dreams can become reality if we keep believing and never give up."
Although Nadira Al Harthy's journey ended on the icy slopes of Broad Peak, her legacy will endure far beyond the mountains she conquered. She leaves behind not only records and remarkable achievements, but also a generation of Omanis inspired to dream bigger, climb higher and believe that no summit is beyond reach.
