Young Emirati Mountaineer Targets World's Toughest Climbing Challenge

Eighteen-year-old Emirati mountaineer Fatima Al Awadhi is preparing for her next major expedition as she continues her quest to complete the Seven Summits and the prestigious Explorer's Grand Slam. Already the youngest Arab to conquer Mount Vinson and Carstensz Pyramid, as well as the youngest Emirati to summit Mount Elbrus, she will now attempt to climb Lenin Peak in Kyrgyzstan, her highest ascent yet at 7,134 metres. The expedition is being undertaken under the patronage of UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

Fatima's passion for mountaineering began during a difficult period in her life after her father fell into a coma. She joined the Duke of Edinburgh's International Award programme to help cope with her grief, and a trek through Nepal's Kathmandu Valley inspired her to pursue mountaineering. Since then, she has climbed some of the world's highest peaks while setting herself the goal of completing the Seven Summits before turning 20.

Alongside her mountaineering ambitions, Fatima is a full-time Economics student, balancing her studies with months of physical training, travel and expedition planning. She hopes her journey will inspire others to embrace new challenges and demonstrate the resilience and ambition of the UAE's youth, while thanking Sheikh Mohamed for his support in helping young Emiratis pursue extraordinary goals.