Uta Ibrahimi

Uta Ibrahimi

Ibrahimi in 2017, in Mount Everest
Personal information
Full name	Flutura Ibrahimi
Main discipline	Mountaineering
Born	27 November 1983 Gjilan, Kosovo
Nationality	Kosovar, Albanian

Flutura Ibrahimi better known as Uta Ibrahimi (born 27 November 1983, Gjilan) is an Albanian alpinist from Kosovo.

She is the first Albanian woman to climb Mount Everest, the highest peak in the world.^[1][2][3]

After Mount Everest (22 May 2017), she has climbed Manasulu (8,163m),^[4] Cho-Oyu (8201m),^[5] Lhotse (8516m),^[6] Gasherburum (8080m),^[7] Annapurna 1 (8091m),^[8] Makalu (8485m),^[9] Dhaulagiri (8167m),^[10] Nanga Parbat (8125m),^[11] Broad Peak (8047m) ^[12] and K2 (8611m) ^[13] thus making her officially the first woman from the Balkans to summit 11X8000 meters peaks.^[14][15][1]

Following her success, Uta Ibrahimi has been featured by many local and international media.^{[16][17][18][19]}

Through her alpinism activities, and media appearances, Uta seeks to raise awareness about nature, the mountains, and human rights particularly in Kosovo and Albania.^[20]

Uta is also a Sustainable Development Goals Champion, promoting gender equality, youth empowerment and environmental preservation.^[21]

Biography

Uta Ibrahimi was born in the city of Gjilan, Republic of Kosovo. "Kosovo wasn't an easy place to grow up during the war," says Ibrahimi.^[22] She graduated from the Faculty of Economics, at the University of Prishtina, where she studied Marketing.

She began her career as a marketing assistant at Iliria University, to continue her work as an expert in marketing in various private companies. Uta has worked as the Director of Ogilvy Karrota marketing agency.^[23] Besides her work in marketing, developing marketing campaigns for major business clients, she also worked on human rights-based social projects. Uta has also worked a marketing manager, jury member, and event organizer for DokuFest, a documentary film festival.^[24][25] In 2015 she left her career in marketing, to dedicate her energy to her passion for climbing.

In 2016, she founded Butterfly Outdoor Adventures Company, with the aim to promote culture and tourism in Kosova.^[26] Butterfly Outdoor Adventures was part of the project ‘Via Dinarica’ a USAID founded project that stabilized a mega trail from Kosovo to Slovenia and vice versa, and it is an ongoing platform that promotes and develops responsible tourism across the Western Balkans.^[27][28]

In 2019, Uta establishes the "Utalaya Foundation", whose mission is to raise a new generation of young mountaineers, who will love and protect the mountains. The Foundation's core activities are focused on sports, mountaineering, and raising awareness on protecting the environment, especially targeting young girls from disadvantaged rural communities. It has partnered up with many local and international organizations, and continues to expand its project portfolio every year.^[29]

Climbing career

Summits

1. Musala 2,925m (Bulgaria),^[30][31]
2. Mount Olympus 2,918m (Greece),
3. Erciyes 3,916m (Turkey), winter expedition,
4. Mount Hasan 3,200m (Turkey), winter expedition,
5. Emler 3,500m (Turkey), winter expedition,
6. Mont Blanc 4,880m (France), winter expedition,^[32]
7. Mount Rainier 4,392m Cautz Route (USA),
8. Yalung Peak 5,700m - winter expedition,
9. Nurbu Peak 5,800m, New Route - winter expedition,
10. Ramdung Peak 5,925m- winter expedition,
11. Labuche East 6,119 (climbed 3 times),
12. Island 6,189m,
13. Ama Dablam 6,812m ^[33]
14. Triglav 2,553m, winter expedition.^[34]
15. Mönch Peak 4,107 / winter expedition ^[35]

During this period of time, the idea of climbing fourteen highest peaks in the world was born.

Eight-thousander Expedition

‘Utalaya-14 highest peaks in the World’^[36][37] began upon her arrival from the Everest, in 2017.^[38]

She has climbed:

1. Everest (8,848m),^[39]
2. Manasulu (8,163m),^[40]
3. Cho-Oyu (8,201m),^[41]
4. Lhotse (8,516m),^[42]
5. Gasherburum (8,080m).^[43]
6. Annapurna 1 (8091m) ^[8]
7. Makalu (8485m) ^[9]
8. Dhaulagiri (8167m) ^[10]
9. Nanga Parbat (8125m) ^[11]
10. Broad Peak (8047m) ^[12]
11. K2 (8611m) ^[13]

thus officially making her the first woman from the Balkans to summit 7X8000 meters peaks.

She was also part of the ‘National Geographic Team’ to summit Lhotse South Face in 2019 – reaching 7.800m.^[44]

Mountains Climbed

Noted summits Uta has climbed
Year	Summits	Country	Continent	Elevation m
2014	Musala	Bulgaria	Europe	2,925
2014	Mount Olympus	Greece	Europe	2,918
2016	Erciyes	Turkey	Europe	3,916
2016	Mount Hasan	Turkey	Europe	3,200
2016	Aladaglar	Turkey	Europe	3,599
2016	Emler	Turkey	Europe	3,500
2015	Mont Blanc	France	Europe	4,880
2018	Mount Rainier	Seattle	USA	4392
2016	Yalung Peak	Nepal	Asia	5,700
2016	Nurbu Peak	Nepal	Asia	5,800
2016	Ramdung Peak	Nepal	Asia	5,925
2017	Labuche East	Nepal	Asia	6,119
2018	Island	Nepal	Asia	6,189
2018	Ama Dablam	Nepal	Asia	6812
March 2016	Triglav	Slovenia	Europe	2,864
2017	Mönch Peak	Switzerland	Europe	4,107
22 May 2017	Mount Everest	Nepal	Asia	8,848
26 September 2017	Manaslu	Nepal	Asia	8,163
28 September 2018	Cho-Oyu	Nepal	Asia	8,201
25 May 2018	Lhotse	Nepal	Asia	8,516
14 July 2019	Gasherbrum I	Nepal	Asia	8,080
17 April 2021	Annapurna 1	Nepal	Asia	8,091
14 May 2022	Makalu	Nepal	Asia	8,485
18 May 2023	Dhaulagiri	Nepal	Asia	8,167
2 July 2023	Nanga Parbat	Pakistan	Asia	8125
23 July 2023	Broad Peak	Pakistan	Asia	8047
27 July 2023	K2	Pakistan	Asia	8611

Popular Recognition

Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Champion

In 2018 Uta was formally announced an SDG Champion and an influencer, involved with the United Nations Kosovo Team, promoting Environmental and Gender Equality and Youth Empowerment. She has been involved in the implementation and the development of projects that promote SDG3 - Gender Equality and SDG5 - Climate Action.^[45]

In addition to this, she is the first and the only Athlete in Kosovo that organizes hiking trips and outdoor adventures with children with Autism. As an influencer, she has been part of public campaigns, and talks, such as TedEx Albania;^[46] Bar Camp Prishtina;^[47] a Jury Member for Green Documentaries at DokuFest KS; World Clean Up Day Campaign Face of the Campaign^[48] - which in fact is one of the most recognized campaigns in the World - and Kosova has joined them only recently and is now a leader Country.^{[citation needed]}

References

1. "Uta Ibrahimi becomes the first Albanian woman to reach Mt. Everest summit, in 2017". Prishtina Insight. Prishtina Insight. 22 May 2017. Retrieved 4 February 2018.
2. Mehmetaj, Valmir (11 February 2017). "Uta Ibrahimi: Trekking in the Himalayas made me realize how small we humans are". kosovotwopointzero.com. kosovotwopointzero. Retrieved 4 February 2018.
3. Tota, Elton. "Uta Ibrahimi, the first Kosovar to conquer the Himalayas". Independent Balkan News Agency. Retrieved 4 February 2018.
4. "Ekskluzive: Uta Ibrahimi pushton majën e Manasolus (FOTO)". KultPlus (in Albanian). 25 September 2017. Retrieved 8 January 2020.
5. "Uta Ibrahimi ngjitet edhe në majën Cho Oyu, në Himalaje". ALSAT-M (in Albanian). 28 September 2018. Retrieved 8 January 2020.
6. "Uta Ibrahimi: Kosovo's First Woman to Summit Everest and Her Climb Towards Gender Equality". Rock and Ice. 8 March 2019. Retrieved 8 January 2020.
7. T, Eric (25 July 2019). "Uta Ibrahimi réussit le Gasherbrum I, le Kosovo à 8.080 mètres". Altitude News (in French). Retrieved 8 January 2020.
8. Safciu, Tuba. "Annapurna – Worlds Deadliest Peak – Utalaya". Retrieved 18 December 2022.
9. "Uta Ibrahimi ngjitet në majën Makalu në Nepal". Raporto Korrupsionin! KALLXO.com. 14 May 2022. Retrieved 18 December 2022.
10. KultPlus. "Alpinistja Uta Ibrahimi arrin në majën e malit të Dhaulagirit, i shtatë më i lartë në të gjithë botën".
11. Koha Net. "Uta Ibrahimi climbs the second highest peak, waves the two flags".
12. Kult Plus. "Alpinistja Uta Ibrahimi arrin në majën e Broud Peak, maja e tetë më e larta në botë".
13. Telegrafi. "Uta Ibrahimi, gruaja e parë në Ballkan që ngjet majat e 11 maleve".
14. Sherifi, Elife (23 July 2019). "Uta Ibrahimi 'pushton' vargmalet e Pakistanit, vajza e parë në histori nga Ballkani". 2LONLINE (in Albanian). Retrieved 8 January 2020.
15. "Uta Ibrahimi, the first Kosovar to conquer the Himalayas". Independent Balkan News Agency. 22 May 2017. Retrieved 8 January 2020.
16. "Uta Ibrahimi ngjitet edhe në majën Cho Oyu, në Himalaje". ALSAT-M (in Albanian). 28 September 2018. Retrieved 9 January 2020.
17. "Uta Ibrahimi, përsëri në Himalaje". KosovaLive360. 4 April 2018. Retrieved 9 January 2020.
18. "Kosovo climber conquers the Himalayas". Independent Balkan News Agency. 6 January 2017. Retrieved 9 January 2020.
19. "First Albanian woman among 100 scales Mt Everest". The Himalayan Times. 22 May 2017. Retrieved 9 January 2020.
20. "Chasing Mountains and Macchiato in the Balkans". Adventure. 22 September 2016. Archived from the original on 30 October 2016. Retrieved 9 January 2020.
21. "Our SDG Champ Uta Ibrahimi, on Her Way to Climb South Face Lhotse". UNKT. 18 April 2019. Retrieved 9 January 2020.
22. "Uta: The Climb for Kosovo". 52 Documentary Series. Voice of America News. Retrieved 26 October 2023.
23. "Our team at Karrota". www.karrota.net. Retrieved 9 January 2020.
24. "Empower Kosovo Tour Guides". DokuFest. Retrieved 9 January 2020.
25. "Jury". DokuFest. Retrieved 9 January 2020.
26. "Nga tokat e sheshta të Prishtinës e deri në maje të botës – gruaja që po sfidon gjithçka". Gazeta Online INSAJDERI. 8 March 2019. Retrieved 9 January 2020.
27. Barthelemy, Bennett (16 October 2019). "The Accursed Alps: First Ascents Meet Anti-Hydropower Activism in Albania". Climbing Magazine. Retrieved 9 January 2020.
28. GmbH, TERRITORY Content to Results. "A holiday in Kosovo? | Lufthansa magazin". magazin.lufthansa.com. Retrieved 9 January 2020.
29. "Foundation – Utalaya". Retrieved 18 December 2022.
30. "Expedition in Mount Musala – Utalaya". Retrieved 9 January 2020.
31. "Uta Ibrahimi: Trekking in the Himalayas made me realize how small we humans are - Kosovo 2.0Kosovo 2.0". Kosovo 2.0. 11 February 2017. Retrieved 9 January 2020.
32. "Uta Ibrahimi undertakes challenge of becoming first Albanian woman to climb Everest". Tirana Times. 10 March 2017. Retrieved 9 January 2020.
33. "Ama Dablam 6812 – 6 Days – Utalaya". Retrieved 9 January 2020.
34. "Triglav Winter Expedition – Utalaya". Retrieved 9 January 2020.
35. "Monch, Switzerland – Utalaya". Retrieved 9 January 2020.
36. Uta Ibrahimi, climbing the Himalaya, retrieved 9 January 2020
37. Utalaya - The 14 Peaks of the Himalayas, retrieved 9 January 2020
38. "Uta Ibrahimi: Kosovo's First Woman to Summit Everest and Her Climb Towards Gender Equality". Rock and Ice. 8 March 2019. Retrieved 9 January 2020.
39. Dupriez, Jonathan (1 January 2018). "Uta Ibrahimi : "je voulais planter le drapeau du Kosovo en haut de l'Everest"". Kosovox (in French). Retrieved 9 January 2020.
40. "Uta Ibrahimi pushton majën e Manasolus". Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Republic of Kosovo. Retrieved 9 January 2020.
41. "Cho Ouy (8201m)—the 6th tallest mountain in the world – Utalaya". Retrieved 9 January 2020.
42. Uta Ibrahimi SDG champ Lhotse South Face Expedition, retrieved 9 January 2020
43. T, Eric (25 July 2019). "Uta Ibrahimi réussit le Gasherbrum I, le Kosovo à 8.080 mètres". Altitude News (in French). Retrieved 9 January 2020.
44. "NatGeo explorer Sung-Taek Hong to attempt Lhotse South Face yet again". mountainplanet.com. Retrieved 9 January 2020.
45. "Our SDG Champ Uta Ibrahimi, on Her Way to Climb South Face Lhotse - UNKT". Archived from the original on 26 December 2019. Retrieved 27 December 2019.
46. I love you mother nature | Flutura Ibrahimi | TEDxTirana, retrieved 9 January 2020
47. "BarCamp Prishtina #50 – Golden Edition". IPKO Foundation. Retrieved 9 January 2020.
48. Uta Ibrahimi x World Cleanup Day 2019, retrieved 9 January 2020

External links

• Uta Ibrahimi in butterflyoutdoor.com