Emirati teen Fatima Alawadhi sets sights on world’s toughest mountaineering challenge
UAE President’s patronage backs ambitious expedition to Kyrgyzstan
ABU DHABI – Eighteen-year-old Emirati mountaineer Fatima Alawadhi is preparing for another landmark expedition as she continues her quest to conquer the Seven Summits and eventually complete the prestigious Explorer’s Grand Slam.
Already recognised as the youngest Arab to summit Mount Vinson and Carstensz Pyramid, and the youngest Emirati to reach the summit of Mount Elbrus, the Abu Dhabi-born climber is now turning her attention to Lenin Peak in Kyrgyzstan.
The 7,134-metre mountain in the Pamir range will be Fatima’s highest-altitude climb to date. The expedition is taking place under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE.
The Explorer’s Grand Slam is regarded as one of the world's greatest endurance achievements, requiring adventurers to climb the highest mountain on each of the seven continents and ski the final degree to both the North and South Poles.
Personal journey
Fatima’s path into mountaineering began during one of the most difficult periods of her life. While her father was in a coma, she joined the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award programme as a way to cope with grief.
Her first trek through Nepal’s Kathmandu Valley sparked a passion that soon evolved into an ambitious goal. Sitting beside a campfire in the Himalayas, she resolved to complete the Seven Summits before turning 20 while continuing her education full time.
Her mountaineering journey began with Africa’s Mount Kilimanjaro before she moved on to Europe, becoming the youngest Emirati to summit Mount Elbrus. She later added Antarctica’s Mount Vinson Massif and Indonesia’s Carstensz Pyramid to her growing list of achievements, securing four of the Seven Summits within a remarkably short period.
National pride
Speaking ahead of the expedition, Fatima expressed gratitude for the support she has received from the UAE leadership.
"I am deeply grateful for the support of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE. Our father, Sheikh Mohamed, is my role model, and to me, he is the highest summit among all other peaks," she said.
She added that the patronage reflects a leadership committed to investing in and empowering young people across the country.
"What began as a personal goal has grown into an opportunity to represent my country and demonstrate the resilience, capability and ambition of the people of the UAE."
Fatima also said she hopes her story encourages others to embrace unfamiliar opportunities and overcome personal challenges.
"My journey goes beyond summits and records. A story does not end with the person who tells it; it creates movement in those who hear it. I hope my story encourages others to say yes to unfamiliar paths, step outside their comfort zones and embrace challenges they never thought possible."
Future goals
Away from the mountains, Fatima returns to university life, where she is studying Economics full time. Alongside her academic commitments, she manages months of physical conditioning, technical training, expedition planning, travel logistics and recovery for each climb.
Her rapid rise has been equally striking. Her first true mountaineering expedition on a 5,000-metre peak took place in July 2025. Just one year later, she is attempting a 7,000-metre summit after already securing four of the Seven Summits.
Looking beyond Lenin Peak, Fatima plans to continue her pursuit of the Explorer’s Grand Slam while targeting another regional milestone. Her ambitions include attempting a double summit of Mount Everest, standing at 8,848.86 metres, and neighbouring Lhotse, which rises to 8,516 metres, within 24 hours in a bid to break the regional record.