By
Tourism Times
Published at : 21 May 2026, 8:12 PM
KATHMANDU: Record-holding Norwegian mountaineer Kristin Harila reached the summit of Mount Lhotse (8,516 m) on Thursday morning, achieving a key milestone in her ambitious "Triple Crown" project in the Everest region. However, the feat has drawn sharp criticism after it was revealed that she used supplemental oxygen to scale the world’s fourth‑highest peak.
Initial reports suggested that Harila’s Lhotse ascent on May 21 came just days after she climbed Nuptse (7,861 m) on May 17, with both summits reportedly achieved without bottled oxygen. Those claims have now been disproven.
“After returning to base camp, she admitted to using oxygen support on Mt Lhotse,” said Chhang Dawa Sherpa, Expedition Director at Seven Summit Treks.
The expedition was originally planned as a rare single‑season climb of Nuptse, Lhotse, and Everest without supplemental oxygen. With that goal now compromised, Harila’s achievement has lost much of its luster.
According to Sherpa, Harila will attempt Everest within the next few days, depending on weather and conditions.
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