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Rabat – Youssef Tazi, a 13-year-old Moroccan mountaineer, is gearing up to conquer Mount Elbrus, the highest summit in Europe at 5,642 meters.
Youssef, accompanied by his father Omar Tazi, will undertake this challenging expedition in Russia’s e Caucasus region from July 25 to August 7.
Known for his motto “The impossible is not Moroccan!”, Youssef aims to build on his impressive climbing achievements to become the youngest Moroccan, Arab, and African to conquer Europe’s highest peak.
According to a press release on the young climber, Youssef’s passion for mountaineering began at just four years old, and he has since climbed over 40 peaks in Morocco. He also made headlines by summiting Mount Ararat, the highest peak in Turkey (5,165 meters), in 2023 and Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest in Africa (5,895 meters), at the age of 12.
The ascent of Mount Elbrus is expected to span between seven and nine days. The journey will include navigating extremely cold temperatures plunging to -15 to -25 degrees Celsius at the summit, coupled with reduced oxygen levels.
This climb is part of Youssef’s broader ambition to complete the Seven Summits Challenge, which includes conquering the highest peak on each continent. His ultimate goal is to summit Mount Everest, the world’s highest peak at 8,848 meters, within the next few years.
Reflecting on his journey, Youssef said that mountaineering makes me feel “free and happy.” He added, “I hope to represent Morocco proudly on the world’s highest peaks and inspire young people in my country.”
In addition, he expressed gratitude to his family, especially his father, for their support throughout his mountaineering pursuits.
Youssef’s father, Omar Tazi, emphasized the rigorous preparation involved in such expeditions, including the financial and logistical challenges. Despite these hurdles, he said he remains committed to supporting Youssef in his quest to honor Morocco on the global stage.
“My son Youssef’s ambition and determination to conquer the highest peaks and overcome all difficulties, along with his exceptional talent in mountaineering despite his young age, are what drive me to sacrifice and continue to support him,” the father remarked.
