Zed Al Refai |
Zed Al Refai is attempting to ascend the peak only four months after reaching the "roof of the world" in May.
It will be the fourth time the Dubai-based Kuwaiti businessman has attempted to conquer the difficult summit in Switzerland and this time he will be accompanied by two other experienced climbers, Hermann Berie and Dr Gernot Overbeck, both from Germany.
The challenge, dubbed Mission Matterhorn, will be sponsored by the luxury Hotel Mont Cervin and Residence in Zermatt, southern Switzerland, and by Swiss International Air Lines. Al Refai announced his plans at a press conference at the Crown Plaza Hotel in Dubai, Al Refai said: "I've set off to climb the Matterhorn on three previous occasions, but the weather has beaten me each time. I'm determined to succeed this time.
"The Hotel Mont Cervin and Residence in Switzerland will be the perfect base for us to prepare for the climb in Zermatt. We'll spend about two days there getting ready, and then, weather permitting, we can complete the ascent and descent of the mountain in two days."
Felix Rodel, Swiss's area manager in the Arabian Gulf, said: "Al Refai is an inspiration to others. It is through determination, efficiency and care for all values that he has managed to put together this expedition so quickly."
Al Refai will link up with his German escorts at the Hotel in Zermatt, the Alpine resort nestled beneath the Matterhorn's north face, close to the Swiss-Italian border. The Kuwaiti climber explained that he was eager to climb the Matterhorn because it is "special, unique and symbolises Switzerland".
He said: "We'll be using special climbing shoes with 12mm teeth which are used to stick in the rocks and ice while ascending the mountain. We will also carry 10-metre ropes and waist harnesses.
Wolfgang Pinkwart, general manager of the Hotel Mont Cervin and Residence said: "We're delighted to be able to assist Al Refai in his bid to scale the Matterhorn.
"This is a serious exercise, and we will be offering him and his colleagues all the local knowledge and assistance we can provide to ensure their safety, and ultimate success. At the same time, we are obviously hoping that the climb will help create more awareness of Zermatt in the Arab world."
Furthermore Al Refai announced that there are future plans to start an Arabian mountaineering club, however, it is unlikely to be based in the UAE.
"The environmental and geographical culture in the Middle East encourages plenty of young men to be interested in adventure sports such as hiking, trekking and climbing. However, any mountaineering club would need lots of planning and determination along with systematic management," he said.
THE CLIMB
Classic rock pyramid
Height: 4,478 metres
Location: Pennine Alps, Switzerland
Conquest: First conquered in 1865
Features: The Matterhorn is a classic peak, a sharp, isolated rock pyramid with steep narrow ridges jutting from surrounding glaciers.
Best time: For an ascent the best time is from mid-July to mid- September, depending on the amount of snow on the mountain.
Dangers: One of the most frequently climbed mountains in the world, the Matterhorn's every ridge and face have been scaled, and there are now fixed ropes and ladders. But much of the climb still requires a great deal of technical expertise, and its death rate is one of the highest in the world.
