Nawal Sfendla completes Everest and Lhotse double ascent feat
Nawal Sfendla has achieved a rare double ascent by reaching the summit of Mount Everest and then continuing on to Lhotse in a single continuous push in Nepal. The Moroccan mountaineer completed both climbs above the 8,000 metre zone, where oxygen levels are extremely low and survival conditions are severe. The achievement places her among a small group of climbers who have attempted this sequence without returning to base between summits.
The Everest and Lhotse combination is considered one of the most demanding challenges in modern high-altitude mountaineering. Both peaks are located in the Himalayas and are linked through a narrow route above the South Col. Completing them in one push requires precise timing, physical endurance, and careful management of weather windows. Sfendla’s ascent required sustained effort in the so-called death zone, where the human body rapidly deteriorates due to lack of oxygen.
Sfendla’s path to high-altitude climbing followed a career shift from communications into professional mountaineering. She has previously summited several major peaks across different continents, including Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, Elbrus in Russia, and Aconcagua in Argentina. She also became the first Moroccan woman to reach the summit of Manaslu in Nepal, adding to her growing record in extreme alpine environments.
Her latest accomplishment strengthens her position as a prominent figure in Moroccan and international mountaineering. Beyond the physical challenge, she uses her expeditions to promote resilience, leadership, and ambition, particularly among women. With new international projects ahead, she continues to expand her presence in both high-altitude sport and public speaking engagements.
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