The world’s 14 highest mountains are an “Exclusive Club”of peaks whose summits tower more than 8,000 meters above sea level. They are all located in the Himalayan and Karakoram mountain ranges in Asia.
Climbing an 8000er is a major undertaking, putting one’s life at serious risk and requiring
exceptional motivation, fitness, teamwork, skill, perseverance and patience. Climbing all14 of the
8,000-meter peaks is a formidable challenge, undoubtedly one of the most difficult human
endeavors possible. This task is The Ultimatechallenge for a Human Being defining the limits of what is humanly possible. It has also been stated that it is much physically more demanding to climb all 14 mountains than to walk on the moon. In a 3 years period from 1969 to 1972, twelve people have walked on the moon, whilst in a 49 years period from 1970 to today ONLY thirty nine people were able to climb all 14 world’s highest 8.000 m. mountains !!
The project “FIRST ARAB” on all 14 world’s highest 8.000 m. mountains is taking on this huge challenge to have the first Arab person ever to climb all 14 mountains.
“FIRST ARAB” project is in Partnership with the United Nations UNICEF
Ziad El-Hoss, born in Lebanon in June 1967, graduated as a Commercial Pilot & Flight Instructor in 1994. He has lived and worked in Lebanon, USA & Europe and speaks fluently Arabic, English, French & Italian. Ziad is currently a member of the Italian Alpine Club (CAI). He has started climbing at the age of 9 and has since acquired significant experience in mountaineering climbing the highest mountain in Europe Mt. Blanc 4.810 m. and many other peaks climbed “Solo” as well. He has also participated in Extra-European expeditions such as Mt. Kilimanjaro 5.896 m. in Africa.
Ziad will be honored to represent the entire Arab World in taking on this huge challenge to be the first Arab person to climb all 14 world’s highest 8000 m peaks and join this Exclusive Club. Furthermore, Ziad will try to beat the World Record in completing this task in less than 8 years, thus setting a New World Record currently held by the Polish climber Jerzy Kukuzcka in 7 years 11 months 2 weeks !
I strongly believe in my motto “Mother Nature reminds us how little and fragile Human Beings are…”, only a few words but with immense meaning for us Humans to reflect on and hopefully change for the better.