Melbourne-based climber River Ahmad has reached the summit of Mount Everest, becoming the first Afghan woman to conquer the world’s highest peak.
As per ABC, Ahmad braved extreme cold, ice and dangerously thin air during her ascent in May 2026, where supplemental oxygen became essential as she neared the summit.
The Afghan refugee, now based in Melbourne, said the achievement marked the culmination of a deeply personal journey shaped by resilience, loss and determination to inspire others.
Her climb comes amid worsening conditions for women in Afghanistan, where rights restrictions have been widely reported in recent years.
Ahmad told ABC Radio Melbourne that her mission was to raise awareness of the challenges faced by Afghan women and girls, while demonstrating resilience in the face of adversity.
“You can climb a struggle, you can climb depression, you can climb anything.”
Born in Afghanistan, Ahmad said she had been climbing snow-covered mountains since childhood, and continued her education journey after leaving the country in 2018 and resettling in Australia with her family.
Her personal story has also been marked by tragedy, including the death of her brother by suicide shortly after the family arrived in Australia in 2022, as well as a period of homelessness.
In preparation for Everest, Ahmad undertook intensive training in Australia and the Himalayas, including early morning endurance runs, gym sessions and swimming, alongside high-altitude preparation climbs.
She also raised tens of thousands of dollars to fund the expedition, which required careful timing during the short annual climbing window when conditions are safe.
Climbing Everest remains one of the world’s most dangerous feats, with risks including avalanches, falls and extreme altitude exposure.
Despite the challenges, Ms Ahmad said the experience was transformative. “It is beautiful to be alive,” she said after reaching the summit.
Following her descent, she was invited to a reception at the Australian Embassy in Nepal and has since gained international attention for her achievement.
Ahmad is now planning to establish an online school for Afghan girls called River Beyond Summits, aimed at supporting education access for those still living under restrictive conditions.
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