KATHMANDU: There will be no expeditions on Mount Shishapangma this season after a high-profile climber cancelled her planned exclusive ascent of the world’s fourteenth-highest mountain in Tibet, sources have confirmed.

Sheikha Asma Al Thani, a record-setting Qatari athlete and member of the royal family, suspended her expedition even after receiving a climbing permit from Chinese authorities, sources added.

“All preparations, including the selection of climbing guides and managing logistics, were complete, but at the last moment Al Thani cancelled her expedition,” sources said. The reason for her cancellation remains unknown.

Chinese authorities had already announced the closure of Shishapangma to commercial expeditions this season. However, Al Thani and German climber Anja Blacha were granted special permits. Upon requests from the Qatari and German governments, China had authorized their climbs, sources said.

Anja Blacha

Blacha was prepared to start her Shishapangma climb but could not attempt it alone. “At least five guides, including ex-British soldier Nirmal Purja ‘Nims,’ were scheduled for Al Thani’s team, while at least three more guides were allotted for Blacha’s expedition,” sources shared.

Al Thani's last-hour cancellation also affected Blacha’s plan to travel to Tibet. Blacha was intending to climb her 13th 8,000-meter peak (Shishapangma) without bottled oxygen.

The 35-year-old Al Thani, who recently completed the remaining three of her 8,000-meter peaks in Pakistan, had only Shishapangma and Cho Oyu in Tibet left to join the coveted club of all 14 summits. Sources shared that Al Thani was supposed to attempt both peaks this season along with Nims.

A 36-year-old climber, Anja Blacha scaled the world's highest mountain without using supplemental oxygen last year. She has now completed 12 of the 14 peaks above 8,000m without artificial oxygen. Blacha is also the first German woman to climb Everest without O2. She has only Shishapangma and Lhotse left to complete all 14 peaks above 8,000m.

Similarly, Al Thani needs to complete Shishapangma and Cho Oyu to finish all 14 of the world’s 8,000-meter peaks. She has already completed the Explorers Grand Slam. Al Thani is the first Qatari to ski the last degree to the North Pole (2018) and to summit Aconcagua (2019). She is also the first Qatari woman to summit many 8,000-meter peaks, including Mount Everest.

Authorities have also confirmed that a number of climbers are planning to head to Tibet for a Cho Oyu expedition this season. China has opened Cho Oyu for all commercial expeditions.