2.53 AM Friday, 29 March 2024
  • City Fajr Shuruq Duhr Asr Magrib Isha
  • Dubai 04:56 06:10 12:26 15:53 18:37 19:52
29 March 2024

Dubai mom begins ascent of Mt Denali to create history

Dubai-based, Palestinian Suzanne al Houby after reaching the top of Carstensz Pyramid in Papua, Indonesia. (Facebook)

Published
By Ajanta Paul

Dubai-based, Palestinian-born 40-year-old, Suzanne Al Houby has begun ascending Mount McKinley or Denali in Alaska - the highest mountain peak in North America with a summit elevation of 20,320 feet.

Speaking to Emirates24|7 she said, "I am in Alaska now. Our expedition starts today (June 15) and from tomorrow (June 16) I lose contact with the outside world as we begin climbing hopefully - weather permitting."

A passionate mountaineer, Al Houby, is the first Arab Woman to climb and summit Mont Blanc, Elbrus, Aconcagua, Vinson (the highest mountains in Western Europe, Europe, South America, and Antarctica respectively), in addition to Kilimanjaro, highest mountain in Africa, and Toubkal the highest mountain in North Africa.

Suzanne al-Houby during her Denali climb last year

Her dream of climbing Mount Everest became a reality and on her first attempt she reached the summit on May 21, 2011, becoming the first Arab woman to do so.

"Becoming the first Arab woman to reach the top of the world was an enormous thrill and a great privilege," said the mother of two, who runs an adventure travel business in Dubai.

After reaching the top, she unraveled a banner bearing the flags of Arab countries.

Last year Suzanne Al Houby reached the top of Carstensz Pyramid in Papua, Indonesia, which at 4,884 metres is the highest peak in the Oceania region.

Her dream to scale the highest peaks on each of the seven continents is now in sight - barring Denali.

She attempted to scale it last year but had to retreat due to bad weather.

The Denali climb offers brutally cold and extreme weather conditions to climbers year-round. Temperatures dip as low as -75° F (-60° C) with windchill temperatures down to -118° F (-83° C), cold enough to flash freeze a human. These temperatures have been recorded at the automated Mount McKinley Weather Station at 18,700 feet (5,700 meters).

Denali

Suzanne al Houby during her Denali climb last year

Denali is the highest mountain in North America, the United States, and Alaska.

Denali, with 20,156 feet (6,144 meters) of prominence, is the third most prominent mountain in the world, with only Mount Everest and Aconcagua having more prominence.

It's one of the Seven Summits and is an ultra-prominent peak with more than 5,000 feet of prominence.

Denali, meaning “The High One,” is the native Athabascan name for North America’s highest mountain. It was renamed Mount McKinley for then-presidential nominee William McKinley by prospector William Dickey during the 1896 Cook Inlet gold rush. Dickey named the peak because McKinley championed the gold standard rather than silver.

The state of Alaska changed the name of Mount McKinley to Denali in 1975. The Alaska Geographic Names Board maintains that Denali is the proper name for the mountain, while the federal Board of Geographic Names continues to uphold the name McKinley. The name of Mount McKinley National Park was changed to Denali National Park and Preserve in 1980. Alaskans and climbers call the mountain Denali.

Rahhalah Explorers:

Suzanne al-Houby during her Denali climb last year

Suzanne al-Houby is also the CEO of Rahhalah Explorers.

Rahhalah Explorers claims to be the first professional adventure outfitter in the region and offers a variety of adventure travel itineraries.

(Picture: FACEBOOK)