Two Omani adventurers – Khalid bin Said al Anqoodi and Nabil al Riyami – successfully reached the summit of Mount Kosciuszko, the tallest mountain in mainland Australia, standing at 2,228m above sea level, a fortnight ago.

Located on the main range of the snowy mountains in Kosciuszko National Park, New South Wales, Australia, this achievement marks another milestone in the duo’s impressive mountaineering journey.

Speaking to Muscat Daily from Australia, Anqoodi said, “We began our journey on April 15,4, and reached the summit of Mt Kosciuszko on April 18 at 5pm.”

“Determination proved essential,” Anqoodi explained, detailing the challenges faced during their ascent. “The climb was arduous due to unpredictable weather conditions. We trekked for nine hours to reach the summit.”

He further said, “We embarked on a demanding hike in the Kosciuszko Reserve, dedicating full nine hours, from 8 in the morning until 5 in the afternoon. Our goal was to conquer the summit of Mount Kosciuszko and then safely return to the cozy city of Jinda Pine, where we planned to camp under the stars. With persistence and determination, we conquered the chilling four degrees below zero atop the mountain, proudly raising Oman’s flag at the summit.”

Mental and physical preparedness

Anqoodi emphasised that the purpose of their expedition was to promote Oman tourism, inspire Omani youth to engage in hiking, and foster a culture of adventure within society.

Discussing the preparations required for such expeditions, Anqoodi highlighted the importance of both, physical and mental training. “In addition to physical conditioning, mental preparedness is crucial for climbers undertaking such journeys. We underwent two months of walking practice, dedicating four to five hours weekly to prepare for this climb. We also familiarised ourselves with the area’s topography through interactions with locals.”

Riyami said, “Khalid and I represent soul twins in adventures and journeys for many years, during which we travelled to many countries and organised thousands of hiking trips inside and outside Oman. Climbing mountains has taught us many qualities such as patience, strength, endurance, and getting to know many cultures of different peoples, which has gained us more knowledge and the customs and traditions of those peoples.”

Talking about the benefits of mountain climbing, Riyami emphasised how exploring natural landscapes and reaching the summit can be immensely rewarding experiences. “Spending time outdoors while hiking or mountaineering offers not only memorable moments but also long-term health benefits. It’s not just about getting in shape; mountain climbing can make fitness enjoyable and engaging. Preparing your body for climbing improves flexibility and overall fitness, making it a fun way to stay healthy and active,” he asserted.

In addition to Mount Kosciuszko, the two Omani adventurers have conquered various peaks worldwide, including the Italian Alps in 2022, Mount Ararat (5,137m) in Turkey in 2019, and Mount Fuji (3,776m) in Japan in 2017 and Everest Base Camp Trek (5,364m) in Nepal in 2018.

Career peaks

Anqoodi’s mountaineering resume boasts ascents of 15 mountains, including three of the ‘Seven Summits’ – Kilimanjaro in Africa, Elbrus in Russia, and Aconcagua in Argentina. He expressed his ambition to scale the remaining four in years ahead.

Following their triumph on Mount Kosciuszko, Anqoodi’s list of conquered peaks now includes Toubkal (4,167m) in Morocco, Kala Patthar and Everest in India, Mount Kinabalu (4,095m) in Malaysia, Mount Apo (2,954m) in the Philippines, Mount Cheget (3,150m) in Russia, and Mount Kinabalu (4,095m) in Malaysia, as well as Mount Bromo (3,229m) and Mount Semeru (3,667m) in Indonesia.

Having explored over 75 countries, Anqoodi affirmed that these journeys serve as opportunities to showcase Oman’s tourism potential.

Looking ahead, the two Omani adventurers are planning to conquer one of the peaks of the North American continent in 2025. They also encourage the youth of Oman to pursue their dreams with patience and determination.