Updated on May 23, 2025
On May 18, 2025, at 10:25 a.m. In Nepal, Safrina Latheef etched her name into the annals of mountaineering history. A Qatari expatriate from Kannur, Kerala, Safrina became the first Malayali woman to summit Mount Everest. Her feat represents a personal triumph and marks her as the first Indian expat woman from Qatar and the first woman from Kerala to reach the world’s highest peak.
Safrina Latheef – A Journey Born in Stillness
The seeds of Safrina’s mountaineering dream were sown not on icy slopes but during the stillness of the COVID-19 pandemic. While the world turned to baking and bingeing, Safrina and her husband, Dr. Shameel Musthafa, a surgeon at Hamad Medical Corporation in Qatar, turned to fitness. From that transformation emerged a shared passion: mountains.
In just four years, the couple scaled Mount Kilimanjaro (5,895 m) in Tanzania, Aconcagua (6,961 m) in Argentina, and Mount Elbrus (5,642 m) in Russia. Their training included ice climbing in Kazakhstan. But Everest was the ultimate goal—a dream that would eventually test Safrina’s resolve in unimaginable ways.
Sacrifices, Setbacks, and Solo Strength
Preparing for Everest meant more than physical endurance. It required emotional grit and financial sacrifice. The couple sold their apartment in Bengaluru to fund the $80,000 expedition. When Dr. Shameel was sidelined by injury, Safrina trained solo in Doha, overcoming her fears with the help of a dedicated coach.
“I used to say, ‘I don’t want muscles!’ But now I know—those muscles saved my life,” Safrina recalls.
The Ascent Begins
Safrina began her journey on April 12, 2025, with the guidance of Elite Expeditions. The expedition was punishing. From a 16-hour crawl to Camp 1 to surviving the “Death Zone” above 8,000 meters, every step was a trial. Along the way, she encountered the body of a climber who had died just days before, a chilling reminder of Everest’s dangers.
The final push started at 8 p.m. on May 17. Amid freezing winds, overcrowded paths, and creeping frostbite, Safrina pressed on. At the summit, she spent 45 unforgettable minutes, hoisting the Indian and Qatari flags, absorbing the moment, but at a heavy cost.
The Descent: Battling Blindness
Removing her snow goggles to see Everest with her own eyes led to snow blindness. She was unable to see and had to be guided down by rope in complete darkness. Her descent to Camp 4 took ten excruciating hours. Her hands swelled, her eyes burned, but her spirit held firm.
“I kept telling myself, ‘I don’t want my husband to spend $50,000 bringing back my dead body. I have to survive.’”
And she did. After a helicopter evacuation to Kathmandu, Safrina was treated for frostbite and vision loss. From her hospital bed, she told TNIE, “I gave my husband and daughter proper goodbyes before leaving. I knew the risks. But I made it back. Alive. And full of stories for my daughter.”
Beyond the Summit: A Multifaceted Woman
Mountaineer. Mother. Cake artist. Former banker. Safrina Latheef is not defined by any one title. Under her brand Zafrin – Bespoke Sugartales, she is an award-winning cake artist, honoured at Cakeology 2020 for a tribute to COVID-19 frontline workers. Her story proves that you can be many things—and still climb your mountain.
Personal Roots and Family
Safrina is the daughter of KP Subaida (Vengode) and PM Abdul Latheef (Thalassery, Punnol). She lives in Qatar with her husband, Dr. Shameel, and their daughter, Minha, who remains her deepest source of inspiration.
Legacy and Inspiration
Safrina’s Everest conquest is more than a record. It’s a message to women, mothers, dreamers, and doers across the globe: “Your mountain might not be Everest. But climb it anyway.” Her journey embodies resilience, vision, and the quiet strength of a woman who dared to rise.
Conclusion
Safrina Latheef’s ascent of Mount Everest is not merely a mountaineering achievement—it is a symbol of strength, sacrifice, and self-belief. From a home baker in Qatar to the first Malayali woman to stand atop the world, her story breaks stereotypes and inspires countless others to chase dreams that seem impossible. She reminds us that every mountain—whether physical, emotional, or societal—can be conquered with the right mix of passion, preparation, and perseverance.
In a world that often tells women to stay within limits, Safrina chose to climb above them, quite literally. Her message is clear and timeless: you can be a mother, a professional, an artist, and still reach your Everest. Whatever your mountain is, start climbing. The summit is waiting.
Safrina Latheef dared to dream—and climbed her way to the top of the world. Now, it’s your turn: What mountain are you ready to climb?
- Kaamya Karthikeyan 12-yo Girl Summited Mount Aconcagua
- Arunima Sinha – The First Woman Amputee Climbed Mt. Vinson
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PVM
References: The Indian Express
Mathukutty P. V. is the founder of Simply Life Tips, a blogger, content writer, influencer, and YouTuber passionate about learning and sharing. Guided by “Simple Living, Creative Thinking,” he believes in the power of knowledge sharing and lifelong learning.
