Quick Facts
Biography
Nelly Attar (Arabic: نيللي عطار) is a Lebanese/Saudi mountaineer who in 2022, became the first Arab woman to summit K2. Nelly is a former psychologist. She has an MRes in psychology and has worked four years as a therapist, prior to shifting into sports. Today, Nelly is heavily involved in shaping the sports landscape across the GCC, making sports more accessible for women.
Early life
Attar is a Saudi-born Lebanese. She completed her academic studies in Psychology and was awarded a B.Sc. from the American University of Beirut, and MRes from Kingston University in London. She started her career as a psychologist and life coach. Attar later shifted careers to follow her passion for fitness and physical activity.
Climbing career
Nelly started mountain climbing in 2007 when she climbed Mount Kenya. In 2015, she climbed Kilimanjaro, and in 2016, climbed Elbrus. In 2017, Nelly scaled several major mountains including Aconcagua, Mont Blanc, Gran Paradiso, Mount Stanley, and Mount Speke. The following year she re-climbed Kilimanjaro, and ascended Lenin Peak, Island Peak, and Lobuche.
In 2019, Nelly along with three other Arab Women, Joyce Azzam, Mona Shahab, and Nadhirah Alharthy, climbed Everest.
In 2021, Nelly scaled Denali (turning back 100m from the summit), and Ama Dablam. In 2022, Nelly scaled K2, completed the Breithorn Traverse Traverse, and ascended the Matterhorn.
Nelly has claimed a number of firsts in her mountaineering career, becoming the first Arab woman to Summit the K2 in 2022, the first Arab woman to summit Mount Stanley and Mount Speke in 2017, and the first Lebanese Woman to climb Ama Dablam and the Matterhorn.
Other activities
Nelly Attar launched MOVE in 2017, during the time Saudi started undergoing national transformation. MOVE is the first dance studio in Saudi Arabia.
Nelly Attar has scaled 23+ peaks globally since 2015. She has also completed 6 Marathons, a dozen triathlons, and 1 ultramarathon; Hajar trail race.
In 2023, Nelly set the female record for the Most Four Finger Pull-ups (2 fingers per hand) in 1 minute.
