German climber Anja Blacha has successfully summited Lhotse without using supplemental oxygen, marking her 13th ascent of an 8,000-metre peak and bringing her closer to completing all 14 highest mountains in the world.
The 36-year-old mountaineer reached the summit of the world’s fourth-highest peak on Sunday afternoon, according to Mingma G, Managing Director of Imagine Nepal Treks, who confirmed the achievement from the expedition team.
Blacha’s latest success further strengthens her reputation as one of the world’s leading high-altitude climbers, particularly for her consistency in climbing major Himalayan peaks without supplemental oxygen support.
Thirteenth 8,000er Without Oxygen Support
Mingma G said Lhotse represents Blacha’s 13th 8,000-metre peak climbed without bottled oxygen, leaving only Shishapangma to complete the full set of 14 peaks above 8,000 metres without oxygen assistance.
“She is one of the most successful German high-altitude mountaineers,” he said, adding that her determination and patience played a key role in the successful summit push.
Blacha arrived at Lhotse Base Camp in early April and waited for weeks as route fixing progressed between Camp 1 and Camp 2. She reportedly became one of the first climbers to sleep at Camp 2 and Camp 3 during the season, positioning herself carefully for an optimal summit window.
According to expedition officials, she chose a favourable weather condition for the final push and successfully reached the summit under challenging high-altitude conditions.
Celebrating Lhotse’s 70th Anniversary of First Ascent
This year’s ascent also coincided with the 70th anniversary of Lhotse’s first successful climb. The peak was first summited on May 18, 1956, making this year a milestone “platinum jubilee” for the mountain.
Expedition leader Mingma G noted that three members of his team reached the summit on the same day, calling it a symbolic moment for Himalayan climbing. “Mountains are climbed by brave climbers, not merely strong ones,” he said, highlighting the significance of Blacha’s oxygen-free ascent.
A Career Marked by Global Records
Blacha’s achievement adds to an already impressive mountaineering résumé. In 2017, she became the youngest German woman to summit Mount Everest and the youngest German to complete the Seven Summits.
In 2019, she became the first German woman to climb K2, the world’s second-highest and one of its most dangerous peaks. She also set a world record in 2020 by completing a solo, unsupported ski journey from the Antarctic coast to the South Pole, becoming the youngest person to achieve the feat from a coastal start.
Closing in on a Historic Finish
With just one peak remaining, Blacha is now on the verge of joining an elite group of climbers who have completed all 14 eight-thousanders. Her final objective, Shishapangma, remains the last step in a career already marked by endurance, precision, and record-breaking achievements in extreme environments.
