First Omani to climb Everest

Khalid al Siyabi dedicates his achievement to the 40th National Day celebrations in the sultanate

Our Correspondent

Muscat, May 23: Scaling dizzy heights in mountaineering, Khalid bin Sulaiman al Siyabi became the first Omani to climb Mount Everest, the highest summit in the world at 8,848 m above sea level on Sunday.

The 37 year old Omani adventurer, who undertook a two month journey to achieve the distinction, reached the top of the mountain at 10.15am (Oman time) and hoisted the national flag.

Siyabi’s wife Eman spoke to him shortly after he had reached the summit. “The line was very unclear due to extreme winds. All I heard was that he was fine and very, very happy to have made it.”

Siyabi had joined a team of adventurers from the US, UK, Turkey, Finland, Ireland, Australia and Argentina and spent nearly two months in training and acclimatising to the weather and altitude. The adventurers were divided into four groups for the final climb.

After raising the national flag on Mount Everest, a delighted Siyabi told the Oman News Agency said that his mission was not easy with fluctuating weather conditions leading to avalanches and biting cold with temperatures dipping to as low as -50oC. The strong, icy winds delayed their climb on more than one occasion. “The conditions were so tough that some of the team members were forced to withdraw.”

Siyabi was, however, clear in his mind that failure was not an option. With the sultanate celebrating its 40th National Day in November this year, he believed that all he had to offer was this achievement to express his “loyalty and allegiance to the leader of the blessed march, His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said.”

His success on Mount Everest, Siyabi knew, would put his country on the world map, raising awareness of Oman and its rich history and culture.

This was also Siyabi’s opportunity to become a role model for the country’s youth, like others before him. In Oman where the majority of the population is under the age of 17, it is important for the “ambitious youth to know that you can overcome any kind of challenge that you face in your life.”

Siyabi was also the first from the Arab region to climb Mount Pumori (7,145m) last year, one of the most popular climbs in the Himalayas.

(With inputs from ONA)