Riyadh –– The first Saudi to climb the Seven Summits –– the highest and rugged mountains of each of the seven continents –– is Prince Bandar Bin Khalid Al-Saud. The prince achieved this exemplary feat in three years and 300 days. Prince Bandar, the chief of Mountaineering Development Program in the Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities (SCTA) told Saudi Gazette that he plans to form an Arab society of professional and amateur mountaineers. Prince Bandar said he is in contact with mountaineers from Kuwait, Egypt and other countries, stating that he exchanges opinions with them about their experiences in the field. The prince started his adventure by first climbing the Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, the highest mountain in Africa and the European countries. He then proceeded to climb the Mount Vinson in South America followed by Mount Kosciusko in Australia, Mount Denali in North America and then Mount Aconcagua in South America. Prince Bandar said he is the first Saudi to reach the apexes of the seven highest mountains. This year in May, Prince Bandar was the second Saudi who climbed the Mount Everest, the highest mountain in the world which has an altitude of 8850m. Climbing high altitudes is not an easy task and while doing so the young prince experienced many difficulties. At one point, Prince Bandar said he was about to die as there was not enough oxygen left in the tank. This has now become a serious problem for the prince as it has affected his health in the long run. However, the prince stands undeterred, he said mountaineering is a physically challenging sport which improves your physical fitness and strengthens your cardiovascular system. Asked by Saudi Gazette if he plans to launch a similar campaign like the 10 girls who trekked to the base of Mount Everest for creating public awareness about breast cancer, the prince said he will always work toward making his country a better place. Prince Bandar added, that he remembers his country and his people while embarking on any adventurous trip. The adventurous prince said that some people do not like living a normal, monotonous life. Hence, he chose this sport because it is exciting and stimulating. “Climbing is a wonderful activity in which a person challenges himself in doing things where the outcome is not certain,” Prince Bandar said. Prince Bandar said that some mountaineers climb mountains for fame while others do it for money. But, the prince does it for self-satisfaction and sense of achievement. The patriotic Saudi citizen said he is proud of his country, leaders and people. The mission he undertook was for the sake of his country as he wanted to hoist the Saudi Arabian flag high on the Seven Summits. The greatest moment of Prince Bandar's life was also when he had the chance to say “There is no god but Allah” high up on all the mountains.
