A Historic Balkan Alliance

Five women have joined forces to tackle one of the world’s most formidable challenges: summiting Manaslu, the eighth-highest mountain on Earth at 8,163 meters. This is not just another climbing expedition; it is the first all-female, pan-regional team from the Balkans to attempt such a feat. Representing Serbia, Montenegro, and Croatia, the climbers embody a powerful blend of technical skill, mental resilience, and cross-border solidarity. Their initiative, named "She Goes First," aims to redefine the narrative around women in extreme sports across the region.

The team was introduced to the public at the offices of the Professional Sports System (PSS) in Belgrade. The roster includes Daliborka Milićević, Antonia Viljac, Dušica Jovanović, Marija Zogović, and Marija Sekulović. While all-female expeditions to eight-thousanders have occurred before, this group marks a unique milestone for Southeast Europe. They are backed by the Extreme Summit Team club and supported by Dragan Jaćimović, a veteran high-altitude mountaineer who helped organize the logistics and mentorship for the group.

From Katmandu to the Death Zone

The journey begins in September in Kathmandu, the traditional gateway for Himalayan expeditions. From there, the climbers will undertake a multi-day trek to reach the base camp. This initial phase is less about exhaustion and more about acclimatization, allowing their bodies to adjust to the thinning air. Manaslu, which translates from Sanskrit as "Mountain of the Spirit," gained prominence after its first successful ascent by a Japanese expedition in 1953.

Historically known for avalanche risks, modern climbing routes on Manaslu now feature carefully positioned base and intermediate camps to mitigate danger. The base camp sits at approximately 4,800 meters, with four additional camps leading up to the summit. The highest camp is located at around 7,400 meters, the threshold where supplemental oxygen becomes essential for survival. From this final vantage point, the team will launch their push to the top, navigating some of the most brutal conditions on the planet.

Sisters on the Summit

The camaraderie within the team was forged on previous climbs. Daliborka and Dušica first met in 2024 while climbing Island Peak in the Himalayas. The following year, they became the first Serbian women to conquer Himlung Himal. During that same period, Marija Sekulović and Marija Zogović were tackling Ama Dablam, another highly technical peak. It was in Katmandu that they decided to combine their efforts for Manaslu, later inviting Antonia to join their ranks.

Dušica Jovanović, a corporate security professional from Bajina Bašta, sees mountaineering as both a physical and spiritual pursuit. "Manaslu means Mountain of the Spirit," she explained. "For many, the spiritual experience is stronger than the physical challenge." The team’s goal extends beyond the summit; they aim to inspire young women across the Balkans to pursue leadership and extreme sports, proving that gender is no barrier to conquering the highest peaks.

Manaslu Kathmandu