Saudi teen becomes youngest from Kingdom to summit Europe's highest peak

Abdulaziz Al-Hamad, a 15-year-old Saudi, has set a new record by becoming the youngest person from his country and the second-youngest Arab to reach the summit of Mount Elbrus in Russia. The highest peak in Europe, standing at 5,642 meters above sea level, was conquered by Al-Hamad as part of an expedition led by Saudi adventurer Saud Al-Aidi.

The team faced harsh weather, challenging terrain, and extreme cold, with temperatures plummeting to minus 20 degrees Celsius during the climb. To prepare for this grueling ascent, Al-Hamad underwent three months of intense training and technical preparation to cope with the subzero temperatures. The journey took six days, covering 40 kilometers and a vertical distance of over 4,000 meters.

On the summit day, Al-Hamad battled the elements for nearly nine continuous hours. Reflecting on his accomplishment, Al-Hamad expressed his gratitude, crediting his faith, leadership, family, and friends for enabling him to achieve what he set out to do. Mount Elbrus, a dormant volcano located in the Caucasus Mountains on the Russian-Georgian border, is part of the Seven Summits—a list of the highest mountains on each of the seven continents.