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Rabat- The Moroccan cardiologist and alpinist Zakaria Naji Lamrani has taken on the seven summits mountaineering challenge and has climbed two summits so far with five more to go. Speaking to Morocco World News, Lamrani highlighted the intense physical and mental preparations he must go through before embarking on any expedition.
Lamrani’s passion for trekking runs in the family. “Sport has been an integral part of my daily life since my childhood, it’s a family story,” the hiking enthusiast told MWN.
Lamrani began climbing eight years ago and has since participated in several expeditions in Morocco. He is currently on a mission to climb the world’s seven highest mountains.
He has so far scaled two mountains in a single year, including Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest peak on the African continent at 5,895 meters. And Mount Elbrus, the highest and most prominent peak in Russia and Europe, at 5,642 meters.
Lamrani’s enthusiasm for climbing runs in the family. His father climbed his first mountain at just 11 years old, a 1500 meter peak in his home village in the province of Taounate.
Lamrani’s nephew Sami Tazi recently broke the record for the youngest mountaineer – to climb Mount Toubkal , the highest peak in northern Africa and Morocco at 4,167 meters, at only four years of age.
On Lamrani’s bucket list, many climbing adventures await, including Mount Aconcagua, the highest mountain outside Asia at 6961 meters above sea level.
Another of Lamrani’s goals is Alaska’s Denali, also named Mount McKinley, the tallest mountain in North America, located in south-central Alaska with a peak at 6,190 meters.
He also hopes to conquer Mount Vinson, the highest peak in Antarctica, at 4,892 meters , and Carstensz Pyramid, also known as Puncak Jaya, the highest mountain in Australia and Oceania, with an elevation of 4,884 meters .
Moroccan cardiologist and alpinist Zakaria Naji Lamrani
And finally, Lamrani plans to climb Mount Everest, the world’s highest mountain at 8,849 meters, soon and “hoist the two sister flags of Morocco and Senegal there.”
The mountaineer emphasized the importance of being in good physical and mental condition saying, “I trained throughout the entire year for long distance running, fasting, and ice baths. In three days, I climbed nine mountains above 4000 meters in Morocco. I climbed Mount Toubkal (4167 meters) three times, spending one night at the summit before climbing Mount Elbrus.”
“You must have a clear mindset and remain focused on your goal, which is why meditation and personal development sessions are essential,” he added.
The hiking enthusiast has been documenting his journey on Instagram, sharing pictures and videos with his followers and dedicating his accomplishments to his homeland.
One post read: “My Morocco, my native country, my land, my homeland, the eternal glory of my ancestors, my sacred universe. My devotion to you is inescapable. To my Morocco, I dedicate this ascension.”
The seven summits are the highest mountains on each of the seven continents – Everest, Aconcagua, McKinley, Kilimanjaro, Elbrus, Vinson, and Carstensz Pyramid.
Summiting all of them is considered a serious mountaineering challenge. The concept of the “Seven Summits” was conceived nearly 30 years ago by Dick Bass and Frank Wells.
In 2019, Moroccan mountaineer Bouchra Baibanou became the first Moroccan to complete the “Seven Summit” challenge, climbing the seven continents’ tallest peaks.
Read Also: Meet the Three Moroccan Women Who Conquered Mount Kinabalu
