Agadir – Acclaimed mountaineer Nawal Sfendla has become the first Moroccan woman to summit both Everest and Lhotse during the same climbing project.
Lhotse is the fourth-highest mountain on Earth.
“Many people thought the story had ended with Everest. But that summit was only the beginning,” she wrote on Instagram. “After endless hours in the ‘death zone,’ after reaching the top of the world, there was still strength needed to continue, to set off again, to climb higher once more.”
Sfendla emphasized that her challenge came in a single push, describing it as an immense physical and mental effort.
This, she concluded, is “a mission I had dreamed of accomplishing for years.”
The mountaineer recalled the idea behind climbing the Everestthe. She said the idea first took shape in 2013, when she was introduced to Everest during a trip to Tibet with her brother. Over time, that early fascination evolved into a life mission.
“This Everest story is not from yesterday, it goes back to 2013… Everest has held a special place in my mind since this day,” she wrote on Instagram, describing how the mountain gradually became a central goal in her personal journey.
Sfendla also underlined the long and difficult path leading to the summit, highlighting years marked by doubt, fatigue, and repeated challenges. “Years of work, sacrifice, doubt, failure, fatigue, and questioning,” she stated, adding that perseverance remained her only constant despite moments when she considered giving up.
She confirmed that the Moroccan flag was raised at the summit, describing the achievement as deeply emotional: “Today it’s done. The Moroccan flag has been raised well at the top of Everest.”
In her message, Sfendla emphasized that the summit represents not only a physical accomplishment but also years of invisible effort. “Behind a peak image are years of physical, mental and emotional work that very few people actually imagine,” she added.
She concluded by expressing pride in her journey and gratitude to those who supported her throughout the expedition, while hinting that her mountaineering story may not be finished yet.
“But just when many thought the story was over… The real historical challenge may have just begun,” she noted, suggesting that new goals could follow this achievement.
Sfendla’s achievement adds to a series of major climbs, including Kilimanjaro in Africa, Aconcagua in South America, Elbrus in Europe, Denali in North America, and Manaslu in the Himalayas.
