Less than 24 hours after reaching the summit of Mt Everest, mountaineer Sheikha Asma bint Thani al-Thani has become the first Qatari woman to scale Mt Lhotse, the fourth highest mountain in the world at 8,516m, the Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) said on Monday.
Besides being the first Qatari woman to reach the summit of Mt Everest, Sheikha Asma recently became the first Arab to reach the summit of Mt Kangchenjunga – the world’s third highest mountain located between Nepal and India at an elevation of 8,586m. In January, she had become the first Qatari to ski to both North and South poles.
Narrating her experience of scaling Mt Lhotse, Sheikha Asma said on Instagram that the climb would not have been possible without the support and empowerment of QOC.
"Within 24 hours of summitting Mt Everest, we headed towards Mt Lhotse (8,516m), the fourth highest mountain in the world," she said. "With heavy snow for a couple of days, the ropes were buried deep in the snow on the Lhotse Couloir. But that did not stop us from getting to the top and back down safely.
"What’s beautiful on the mountains is the sense of teamwork and brotherhood when the going gets tough. The love for the challenge motivated our whole team to go all in and give its all.
"Being a member of a team requires dedication. You must show up. You must contribute to the victory no matter what. But if you play hard, give it your all, and truly commit, victory will be even sweeter. When life gets tough, get tougher."
She continued, "Climbing a mountain takes a lot of preparation, mentally and physically. You must be willing to adapt to all the changes. Human life is made up of decisions. Either yes or no. Either in or out. Either up or down. Coward or hero. Fight or surrender. If you can't make a decision and aren't willing to keep looking for the light even when it appears unattainable, you'll never succeed.
"I’m so grateful that we decided to keep going despite the difficulties. I am grateful for the team and the leadership of Nimsdai; truly, 'giving up is not in the blood'.
"What a great way to climb Everest and Lhotse. Humbled and excited for what’s next!"
Nimsdai, or Nirmal Purja, is a Nepal-born naturalised British mountaineer and a holder of multiple mountaineering world records, according to information available online.
Sheikha Asma is attempting to become the first woman from the Middle East to complete the Explorers Grand Slam, which involves climbing all Seven Summits (Mount Everest, Aconcagua, Denali, Kilimanjaro, Vinson Massif, Puncak Jaya and Mount Elbrus) and reaching the North Pole and South Pole.
She has now completed seven of the nine challenges — Kilimanjaro in 2014, the North Pole in 2018, Aconcagua in 2019, Mount Elbrus in 2021 and Vinson Massif, South Pole and Mount Everest this year.
Narrating her experience of scaling Mt Lhotse, Sheikha Asma said on Instagram that the climb would not have been possible without the support and empowerment of QOC.
"Within 24 hours of summitting Mt Everest, we headed towards Mt Lhotse (8,516m), the fourth highest mountain in the world," she said. "With heavy snow for a couple of days, the ropes were buried deep in the snow on the Lhotse Couloir. But that did not stop us from getting to the top and back down safely.
"What’s beautiful on the mountains is the sense of teamwork and brotherhood when the going gets tough. The love for the challenge motivated our whole team to go all in and give its all.
"Being a member of a team requires dedication. You must show up. You must contribute to the victory no matter what. But if you play hard, give it your all, and truly commit, victory will be even sweeter. When life gets tough, get tougher."
She continued, "Climbing a mountain takes a lot of preparation, mentally and physically. You must be willing to adapt to all the changes. Human life is made up of decisions. Either yes or no. Either in or out. Either up or down. Coward or hero. Fight or surrender. If you can't make a decision and aren't willing to keep looking for the light even when it appears unattainable, you'll never succeed.
"I’m so grateful that we decided to keep going despite the difficulties. I am grateful for the team and the leadership of Nimsdai; truly, 'giving up is not in the blood'.
"What a great way to climb Everest and Lhotse. Humbled and excited for what’s next!"
Nimsdai, or Nirmal Purja, is a Nepal-born naturalised British mountaineer and a holder of multiple mountaineering world records, according to information available online.
Sheikha Asma is attempting to become the first woman from the Middle East to complete the Explorers Grand Slam, which involves climbing all Seven Summits (Mount Everest, Aconcagua, Denali, Kilimanjaro, Vinson Massif, Puncak Jaya and Mount Elbrus) and reaching the North Pole and South Pole.
She has now completed seven of the nine challenges — Kilimanjaro in 2014, the North Pole in 2018, Aconcagua in 2019, Mount Elbrus in 2021 and Vinson Massif, South Pole and Mount Everest this year.
