Omani reaches top of Everest

Oman's national flag is hoisted on the Everest summit by the first Omani to stand there.

MUSCAT// As a child, Khalid al Siyabi used to climb sand dunes in the scorching heat of his native Oman, but he never thought that one day he would reach the peak of the mighty Everest and risk frostbite in the severest cold. Mr al Siyabi broke down in tears when he hoisted the Omani flag on the Everest summit at about 10.15am (UAE time) on Sunday. It marked the culimination of two-months preparation that put him on top of the world, making him the first Omani national to stand there.

He stood admiring the view around him and thought of his days frolicking with his friends three decades ago in a dusty town dreaming of travelling around the world - not climbing to the top of it. "As a six-year-old playing out in 50°C, a 10-metre sand dune near my home was the tallest height I could climb. I never imagined I would one day reach the tallest peak in the world," said Mr al Siyabi, 37, who is the director general of information technology at Oman's ministry of education.

He and an international team of climbers battled strong winds and heavy snowfall to reach the summit but not all of his colleagues made it to the top. "We gasped for oxygen and every inch of the body ached. It was a challenge of perseverance, kind of mind vs the body. It was easier to give up than continue." Mr al Siyabi finished his journey just in the nick of time. This year's Everest climbing season ended on Tuesday because of heavy snow.

The team spent two months training on a mountain on the Chinese-Nepalese border, adapting to the surroundings. They set up four camps to help them plan out their climbing strategy. Before climbing Everest, Mr Siyabi needed to test his skills and perseverance for the big climb. Last year, he became the first Arab to climb Pumori mountain, which is 8km west of Everest, standing 7,145m above sea level. "The Pumori served as a pedestal for Everest," Mr Siyabi, a father of three, said. "It was a good prelude for me to build my confidence."

Mr Siyabi is expected to be given a hero's welcome when he returns to Muscat on June 6. [e-mail]