Muscat – Snow, freezing winds and a steep final ascent did little to deter Omani adventurer Nabil Al Riyami, who has added another international mountain achievement to his record after reaching the summit of Mytikas, the 2,917m high peak of Mount Olympus in Greece.

Al Riyami completed the two-day expedition on September 29, raising the Oman flag atop Greece’s highest mountain after a demanding climb through forests, rocky terrain and snow-covered sections.

The expedition began on September 28 afternoon from Litochoro, about 420km from Athens. The group entered Olympus National Park before climbing through forest trails to a mountain camp at about 2,100m.

“On Monday at around 2pm, we started the hike through the forests from the reserve towards the mountain camp. It took us about four hours to reach the camp, where we rested and spent the night,” Al Riyami told Muscat Daily.

The final ascent began at 6am on Tuesday. It took about three and a half hours to reach Mytikas, with the terrain becoming increasingly difficult as the group moved above the forest line.

“The route was steep and difficult, and after the forest section we encountered snow, strong cold winds and temperatures below zero,” he said.

After reaching the summit, Al Riyami raised the Oman flag before beginning the descent. The group returned to the camp at about 11.30am and continued downhill, reaching the reserve entrance around 5pm.

The expedition brought together climbers from France, Bulgaria, Germany and Greece, besides Oman, creating an opportunity to exchange experiences and cultures.

For Al Riyami, however, the expedition was about more than another summit.

“The journey is an opportunity to visit new countries, meet new people and fellow adventurers, exchange experiences and cultures, maintain physical fitness, enjoy nature and take on new challenges,” he said.

He also sees his international climbs as a way of promoting Oman as an adventure tourism destination.

An encounter at the summit reinforced that ambition. After seeing the Omani flag, a French tour guide approached Al Riyami and spoke to him in Arabic. She told him she brings French tourists to Oman for hiking and camping in Jabal Akhdar and Jabal Shams.

Al Riyami gave her Omani dates and later took a photograph with her and her husband at the summit.

The latest achievement adds to expeditions that have taken him to Nepal, Malaysia, Türkiye, Italy, Australia, Mexico and Argentina, including Everest Base Camp, Kala Patthar, Mount Kinabalu, Mount Ararat, Mount Kosciuszko, Pico de Orizaba and Aconcagua.

“I will continue travelling to different countries and climbing mountains around the world, while raising the Oman flag high and representing the sultanate wherever I go,” he said.