Dubai, UAE – Emirati climber Fatima Abdulrahman Al Awadhi, 19, has achieved a new historic milestone for the UAE. She became the youngest Arab person to reach an altitude exceeding 7,000 metres. He is the first Emirati person to climb Lenin Peak, which is 7,134 meters high in the Pamir Mountains in the Kyrgyz Republic. This was on July 18, 2026.
This achievement constitutes the highest summit that Fatima has reached to date, and represents an important milestone in her journey towards completing the “Seven Summits” challenge and the “Grand Slam Exploration”. Thus establishing itself as one of the most prominent young talents in mountaineering in the region.
toughest
Lenin Peak is one of the most difficult high peaks in Central Asia, and is known for its harsh weather conditions and rugged icy terrain. In addition to prolonged exposure to altitudes exceeding 7,000 metres.
Reaching its summit constituted Fatima’s highest climbing achievement to date, just one year after she climbed her first major summit. It is Elbrus Peak, with a height of 5,642 metres, the highest peak in Europe.
The journey took about three weeks and included two main stages: the altitude acclimatization stage. This was followed by the final stage of the climb to the top. Thus, Fatima climbed above 7,000 meters and was able to reach the summit without using supplemental oxygen.
Al-Awadhi has a rich record of mountain achievements
This achievement adds to a proven track record of mountain achievements. Fatima is the youngest Emirati person to climb Elbrus Peak, and the youngest Arab person to reach Vinson Peak in Antarctica and Kartsens Pyramid in Oceania, in addition to successfully climbing Kilimanjaro Peak, the highest peak on the African continent.
Above Lenin Peak, Fatima raised the flag of the United Arab Emirates, in the first documentation of the country’s flag reaching the top of this mountain.
I also sent a message from Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE. Addressed to the world’s youth, His Highness emphasizes the values of ambition, hope, steadfastness and perseverance.
facing challenges
Fatima said that standing on top of Lenin and raising the flag of her homeland, the UAE, was not the end of just climbing a mountain. Rather, it is a reminder of why she started this journey. Pointing out that mountain climbing taught her that the greatest rewards come from facing challenges.
It should be noted that Fatima holds the Presidential Office Scholarship for university studies and the Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Scholarship for outstanding students. She balances her full-time college studies with her ambition to climb mountains at an elite level. Her journey became an example of combining and balancing academic excellence with athletic ambition.
After completing four of the “Seven Summits” and reaching an altitude of more than 7,000 meters without supplemental oxygen. Fatima is moving steadily towards achieving her goal of completing the “Seven Summits” challenge before she reaches twenty. In addition to her efforts to achieve the “Grand Slam of Exploration”.
