Qatari mountaineering legend Sheikha Asma bint Thani al-Thani has successfully reached the summit of Gasherbrum II, one of the world’s highest mountains, located in the Karakoram mountain range along the Pakistan-China border.
The achievement marks the 11th 8,000m peak conquered by Sheikha Asma, bringing her one step closer to her goal of summiting all 14 of the world’s mountains exceeding 8,000m in elevation.
The 14 peaks are among the most challenging mountains on Earth, rising into the area known as the "Death Zone,” where oxygen levels are critically low and climbers face extreme weather, freezing temperatures and potentially life-threatening conditions.
In a post on Instagram, Sheikha Asma reflected on five days of waiting at Camp 1 for a weather window, the camaraderie within her team, and a breathtaking moonlit summit push.
"We reached the summit around 5am. Just below it, Pasang Norbu and Lakpa had broken the route, but stopped and waited so we could arrive together. That was this team: always looking after one another,” she wrote.
From the summit, she looked towards K2 and Broad Peak, unaware of the tragedy unfolding across the valley.
She later learned that contact had been lost with the Broad Peak team, including Wang, whom she had messaged shortly after reaching the summit.
"Only later did I understand it would be the last message I would ever send him,” she wrote. "When I think back to Gasherbrum II, I’ll remember the waiting, the coffee, the moon, the team, Broad Peak across the valley, and one ordinary message I never imagined would be the last.”
Sheikha Asma also thanked Pakistan for welcoming her to the Karakoram, where she continues her quest to climb all 14 of the world's peaks above 8,000 metres.
Sheikha Asma’s latest achievement forms part of her "Beyond Boundaries” journey, which combines her mountaineering ambitions with humanitarian causes.
Through the initiative, she aims to inspire women and young people across the region to overcome barriers, pursue their ambitions and reach beyond perceived limits.