Dubai 11-year-old trains to climb the world’s highest peaks - in pictures

  • Ayaan Mendon, 11, from Dubai, aims to climb Mount Lenin this year. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Ayaan Mendon, 11, from Dubai, aims to climb Mount Lenin this year. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Ayaan trains with his coach, Ceejay Bollo, to build strength and endurance at Wellfit gym in Meydan, Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Ayaan trains with his coach, Ceejay Bollo, to build strength and endurance at Wellfit gym in Meydan, Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Ayaan shows his skills with a yo-yo, his second biggest passion after climbing. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Ayaan shows his skills with a yo-yo, his second biggest passion after climbing. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Ayaan with his parents, Vani Mendon and Saboor Ahmad, who are part of his climbing team. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Ayaan with his parents, Vani Mendon and Saboor Ahmad, who are part of his climbing team. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • A varied workout that focuses on core strength and agility is key for the young mountaineer. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    A varied workout that focuses on core strength and agility is key for the young mountaineer. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Endurance exercises are on the workout list for Ayaan as his coach prepares him for new challenges. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Endurance exercises are on the workout list for Ayaan as his coach prepares him for new challenges. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • The Mendon family attempted to scale Mount Aconcagua last year, but high winds forced the team to turn back before reaching the summit, the highest point in the Americas. Photo: Mendon family
    The Mendon family attempted to scale Mount Aconcagua last year, but high winds forced the team to turn back before reaching the summit, the highest point in the Americas. Photo: Mendon family
  • Ayaan will strengthen his rope skills and practice walking in crampons as he prepares to tackle higher peaks. At age nine, he reached Everest Base Camp at 5,364 metres. Photo: Mendon family
    Ayaan will strengthen his rope skills and practice walking in crampons as he prepares to tackle higher peaks. At age nine, he reached Everest Base Camp at 5,364 metres. Photo: Mendon family
  • Ayaan at the 5,000-metre base camp of a mountain in Ladakh at age nine in 2023. Photo: Mendon family
    Ayaan at the 5,000-metre base camp of a mountain in Ladakh at age nine in 2023. Photo: Mendon family
  • Ayaan’s mother is part of the climbing team and ensures he takes his food and vitamins. Photo: Mendon family
    Ayaan’s mother is part of the climbing team and ensures he takes his food and vitamins. Photo: Mendon family
  • Ayaan has been climbing challenging mountains since the age of seven. Photo: Mendon family
    Ayaan has been climbing challenging mountains since the age of seven. Photo: Mendon family
  • At age nine, Ayaan reached the Khumbu Icefall, the start of one of Nepal’s largest glaciers, near Everest Base Camp. Photo: Mendon family
    At age nine, Ayaan reached the Khumbu Icefall, the start of one of Nepal’s largest glaciers, near Everest Base Camp. Photo: Mendon family
  • Setting a target of Mount Everest before he turns 18, Ayaan is preparing to climb the highest peak on each continent. Photo: Mendon family
    Setting a target of Mount Everest before he turns 18, Ayaan is preparing to climb the highest peak on each continent. Photo: Mendon family