Having grown up in an environment, rich with nature and ambition, Nadhira Ahmed Alharthy completed her Bachelor’s degree in Geography from Rustaq College of Education and went on to work as a geography teacher for four years. She then switched between different jobs in the Ministry of Education and now serves as the Director of the Citizenship Department and Coordinator of the GLOBE program. Through her career she has found great opportunity to evolve and grow. In her free time, she embarks on new and challenging adventures. Thus goes the story of how she was inspired to scale Mount Everest and how she became the first Omani woman to summit the world’s highest peak…
What inspired Nadhira Alharthy to be a climber? How did the dream to climb Mt. Everest come to be?
Up until now, I cannot say that I’m a climber because it’s a big word and brings big responsibility. I am a dreamer. I was inspired by the late Khalid Al Siyabi, the first Omani to climb Mt. Everest. I found myself dreaming strongly with the confidence that if he could do it, so can I. The day that I first met him, I made the decision that I would climb Mt. Everest too.
What was training for the climb like?
Climbing Mt. Everest requires a lot of training and hard work. It was tough and hard, and this took me to different levels with my body and mind. I had never imagined that I would have to go through all the pain and emotion for two years, but that’s how long I trained to become fit enough to climb.
As a woman what challenges did you face while making the decision to follow this dream?
As an Omani woman things were easy for me. I didn’t face major challenges because of my gender; and I ignored whatever came my way that could stop me or make me reverse my decision to fulfil my dream. I kept training and was very focused on making my dream happen.
How did you deal with hesitance from people around you?
I made sure to keep my plans to climb Mt. Everest to myself and only shared my dream with my coach Khalid Al Siyabi. I only told my family about my plans just two months before my travel to Nepal. This way I didn’t let anyone discuss or judge my dream.
You’re the first Omani woman to have summited Mt. Everest. How did the experience change you?
It’s a big achievement, and I never thought it would be this hard. I thought achievements are things that only make you happy and honoured. But this achievement, in addition to making me happy and feel honoured, has been one that is weighted and hard to believe sometimes. From the experience I learned a lot. I’m still learning and figuring out how our dreams take us through life…
What are the qualities one should possess if they wish to climb Mt. Everest?
I believe that anyone can climb Mt. Everest or fulfil whatever their dream is, if they believe in their dreams and work hard continuously. Whether it is doing research, running long distances, hiking mountains high and low, and staying up all night reading, even though you may be alone, you will feel happy and ready to do whatever will take you to your own Mt. Everest.
What advice does Nadhira Alharthy have for women out there?
For all the women out there, I’d say, have your own dream. Find it, no matter what your age is, where you work or what the challenges are. Don’t think about the obstacles; throw yourself deep into that dream, but when you are awake! Find it, work at it and make it happen.
What has life been like since you achieved your dream of climbing Mt. Everest?
Life returned to normal when I returned. Nothing has changed. Yes, sometimes, friends find articles about me and my pictures in newspapers lying around. It’s quite strange and makes for a good laugh.
What are your hopes and plans for the future?
I still have the passion with which I started this journey. I still feel marvel and wonder at the mountains and I’m grateful that I have not lost this feeling. However, I prefer to keep my goals and dreams to myself until I achieve them.
