Final video shows Nadhira Al Harthy optimistic before tragic Karakoram avalanche

Muscat: A video recorded just one day before the tragic avalanche that claimed the life of pioneering Omani mountaineer Nadhira bint Ahmed Al Harthy and nine other climbers has surfaced, capturing her optimism as she prepared for her next Himalayan expedition in northern Pakistan.Nadhira bint Ahmed Al Harthy, the first Omani woman to conquer Mount Everest, is remembered for inspiring generations through her courage, resilience, and pioneering achievements in mountaineering. In the video, Al Harthy shared that she had successfully completed her ascent of Nanga Parbat (8,126 meters), one of the world's most challenging peaks known as the "Killer Mountain." She explained that she was taking a brief rest in Skardu—a town serving as the primary gateway for expeditions in the Karakoram range—before setting out to climb Gasherbrum I (8,080 meters) and Gasherbrum II (8,035 meters).Reflecting on her journey, Al Harthy described Skardu as a beautiful destination, praising its scenery, welcoming residents, and family-friendly environment as she prepared for the next stage of her trek.Gasherbrum I, also known as Hidden Peak, is regarded as one of the most technically demanding mountains in the Karakoram range, while neighboring Gasherbrum II remains another major high-altitude objective for elite climbers worldwide.Al Harthy was among ten climbers who lost their lives after an avalanche struck a high-altitude expedition team, bringing a tragic end to an ambitious chapter in her mountaineering career. Her passing has drawn widespread mourning across the Sultanate of Oman, where she remains celebrated as a national pioneer and an inspiration to aspiring adventurers.According to the Alpine Club of Pakistan (ACP), the avalanche hit an expedition team led by renowned Nepali mountaineer Nirmal Purja on the 8,047-meter mountain. The club reported that the ten-person team—comprising five Nepalese climbers, a Pakistani, an Omani, an American, a Chinese climber, and one other foreign national—could not be reached following the incident and remains out of communication.