Palestinian climber first Arab woman to conquer Mt Elbrus
Dubai resident Suzanne Al Houby has ambitious plans for more overseas climbing expeditions in the wake of her success on Europe's tallest peak.
An intrepid Palestinian climber has become the first Arab woman to conquer Europe's tallest peak.
Al Houby, who has lived in the UAE since she was nine years old, climbed Elbrus during a seven-day mission earlier this month.
She had previously become the first Palestinian woman to climb Kilimanjaro, the highest peak in Africa, Mont Blanc in France and the Everest base camp in Nepal.
The 38-year-old mother-of-two hopes her achievements will inspire more Arab women to take up adventure pursuits rather than spend their spare time in shopping malls.
Her ascent to the summit of Elbrus began shortly after midnight on August 1 in windy and cold conditions that forced her to put on five layers of clothes.
"I was only looking at my feet and my ice axe with my head torch for hours. Occasionally I would look at the stars filling up the sky above and below on my right was the most beautiful crescent moon," she said.
She said that as the air became thinner, her steps got smaller before she reached the summit at 11.30am.
"I am very petite physically but I can go on expeditions like this because of the power of mind over body. I like the challenge the mind can lead you and make you forget about the physical pain," she said.
Elbrus is in the main range of the Caucasus Mountains, which are generally considered to mark the boundary between Asia and Europe.
She said she felt very proud to be the first Arab women to reach the summit, which is 5,642-metres above sea level in European territory close to the border between Russia and Georgia.
"I want women, especially in this part of the world, to pursue their dreams. It is very important for Arab women to believe in themselves," said Al Houby, a biomedical engineer who is director of Dubai Bone and Joint Centre.
Not content with climbing Elbrus, later this year Al Houby is going to Turkey to climb five peaks in a charity event in aid of osteoporosis.
Next Spring she hopes to take along other Arab women during an expedition to the Atlas Mountains of Morocco.
She said the elder of her two daughters, Tamara, 12, is a keen climber and has already conquered the Al Rawda peak near Hatta.
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