The first Arab to attempt to climb Mount Everest will begin his epic journey on March 30. Zed Al Refai, a 34-year-old Kuwaiti, has climbed four of the world's highest peaks and will make the 8,850 metre high Everest his fifth challenge.

He will make his attempt almost exactly half a century after the historic first conquest in May 1953 by Edmund Hillary and Sherpa Tensing. His goal is to tackle all seven of the world's highest peaks. He plans to follow Everest with an attempt on Mount Aconcagua in the Andes in November. The Himalayan giant, which defeats 70 per cent of those trying to conquer it, will take Refai about 70 days to conquer.

His journey to the top has also been routed via the Tibetan side of the mountain, which includes several thousand feet of ice-covered 80 degree inclines. Speaking at the Aviation Club here, where he has been in training for the past year, Refai said the biggest problem will not be the cold, but altitude sickness.

"Mount Everest has actually become warmer in the last decade, probably because of global warming, so the cold won't be our biggest problem. "The most difficult aspect of the climb will be the altitude, especially as I come from a region that is virtually at sea-level. Altitude sickness is rather like sunstroke in that you can become very disorientated and nauseated.

It can be pretty dangerous when you're in a place where you already have to deal with avalanches, crevasses, extreme cold and high physical exertion. However, I will take medication and am preparing myself as much as possible.

"The team I am climbing with are all experienced mountaineers, two of whom have already conquered Mount Everest. They all come from high-altitude countries, which means they are not only used to the climate, but their bodies are naturally better adjusted than mine to deal with the thin oxygen."

He said he would climb Africa's highest peak, Mount Kilimanjaro, to become acclimatised. "I will be spending two weeks before the climb on Mount Kilimanjaro to boost the amount of red blood cells in my body. This will hopefully increase its oxygen efficiency and make altitude sickness a little easier to bear."

He said the training and preparation for the Everest trip was probably harder than the actual climb. "An amazing amount of preparation goes into something like this because even the smallest detail - like how much toothpaste you'll need - has to be considered. You have to take enough food supplies, oxygen tanks, tents and climbing equipment - no more and no less.

"I've read every book available on the mountain, and practically know every crevice and crag by heart already, but I still need to gain another 10 kilos in weight before I will be properly prepared. Unfortunately it's not a case of eating lots of fish and chips. I have to do it the healthy way because I'll lose so much during the trip."

He said his determination would carry him through. "This will be a very tough journey as only 25 to 30 per cent of climbers make it, but I will do it if I have to crawl to the top. What also has to be remembered is that the majority of deaths and accidents occur on the descent, so getting to the peak is only half the adventure."

He has not decided which flag to plant at the summit. "I don't know whether to take the Kuwaiti flag, a GCC flag or one for the Arab League, but I better make up my mind soon because I can't take all three."

Refai's progress on Everest can be followed via his website at www.7-summits.com, which will be regularly updated during the climb.