Islamabad, Pakistan, Aug. 9, 2026

Qatari mountaineer Sheikha Asma bint Thani Al-Thani, 36 years old, has added another remarkable achievement to her growing list of mountaineering milestones, successfully reaching the summit of Gasherbrum II, one of the world’s highest peaks in the Karakoram range on the Pakistan-China border.

The latest ascent marks her 11th successful summit of a mountain above 8,000 metres, bringing her another step closer to her goal of completing the world’s 14 “eight-thousanders.” Her achievement is being viewed as another significant accomplishment for Qatari and Arab women in the demanding world of high-altitude mountaineering.

At more than 8,000 metres above sea level, these mountains extend into the so-called “Death Zone,” where extremely low oxygen levels, severe weather and harsh terrain create some of the most challenging conditions faced by climbers.

For Sheikha Asma, however, the pursuit of high-altitude peaks has become about more than personal achievement. Through her “Beyond Boundaries” journey, which is linked to humanitarian and social causes, she has sought to encourage women and young people across the region to challenge limitations, pursue their ambitions and believe in the possibilities beyond conventional boundaries.

Her latest achievement also follows another major success in the same mountain region. In August 2025, she reached the summit of Gasherbrum I, standing at 8,080 metres, and proudly raised the Qatar flag at the top. That achievement further demonstrated her determination and perseverance in tackling some of the world's most difficult peaks.

Sheikha Asma has built an impressive record over the past decade. She became the first Qatari woman to summit Mount Everest, Lhotse and Manaslu, and has also reached K2 and Ama Dablam. She has achieved several of these milestones without supplemental oxygen, including becoming the first Arab to summit an 8,000-metre peak without oxygen.

Her mountaineering journey began after she rediscovered a personal list of ambitions that included climbing a mountain. In 2014, she joined a group of Qatari women who climbed Kilimanjaro, setting the stage for a remarkable journey that has since taken her to some of the highest and most remote places on Earth.

Beyond the mountains, Sheikha Asma has also represented Qatar in polar expeditions. In 2018, she became the first Qatari to ski to the North Pole and raised the national flag there, an achievement that earned her recognition as “Woman of the Year” by Grazia magazine in Qatar.

Her latest ascent of Gasherbrum II therefore stands not only as another personal triumph but also as a powerful symbol of determination, courage and perseverance, offering inspiration to a new generation of Qatari and Arab women to pursue their dreams and overcome challenges.