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Rabat – At just 12 years old, Moroccan climber Youssef Tazi made headlines on Sunday after conquering Mount Ararat, Turkiye’s highest peak, which reaches an altitude of more than 5,100 meters.
Youssef reached the summit of Mount Ararat, located on the border between Turkiye and Armenia, after embarking on a challenging five-day journey that commenced in the Turkish city of Dogubayazit.
The Moroccan boy’s accomplishment marked him as the first Moroccan child to ascend a mountain surpassing the 5,000-meter mark.
Youssef’s father and companion during the adventure, Omar Tazi, shared his pride and joy for his son’s achievement.
“I am deeply honored by my 12-year-old son’s extraordinary achievement. Armed with passion, courage, and unwavering determination, he proudly hoisted our national flag atop Turkey’s highest mountain peak, at an altitude of 5,165 meters, after a challenging five-day mountain expedition filled with valuable lessons and tests,” he said in an interview with Morocco’s news agency (MAP).
He continued, “Youssef now stands as the youngest Moroccan climber to defy fear, confront frigid temperatures, oxygen scarcity, and break through the 5,000-meter barrier.”
Read also: Morocco’s Bouchra Baibanou Sets New Challenge to Climb Mount Lhotse
Youssef and his father embarked on this adventure after over a year of rigorous preparations. They also honed their skills by climbing numerous Moroccan mountain peaks, some exceeding 4,000 meters in altitude.
On the eve of their ascent, Omar Tazi told MAP that “engaging in this adventure followed extensive contemplation and consultation with professional climbers, requiring us to be meticulous in all our steps and undergo 14 months of intensive preparation.”
He further explained that preparations for the Mount Ararat climb encompassed regular medical check-ups, a special diet, mental conditioning, altitude acclimatization, and physical fitness training.
Throughout his journey, Youssef documented his ascent on social media platforms, sharing his adventure with the world.
His posts and updates provided a window into the challenges he faced, garnering him immense encouragement and admiration.
