Zoman, 30, wants to be the first Saudi to climb Mount Everest, the highest mountain peak in the world. He said that this has been a dream of his for a long time and he is anxious to make it a reality. “I hope that Allah will allow me to be the first Saudi to unfurl my country's flag on the highest mountain in the world.” Zoman, a trained mountain climber has climbed a number of peaks such as Mount Shasta in California, 4,322m, and Mount Rainier in Washington (4,344m). While he has been climbing mountains in the US, Zoman has yet to climb mountains in the Kingdom. “I haven't yet, because I spent most of my time abroad but I am looking forward to doing some climbing when I get back,” Zoman said. The expedition will ascend in three phases, the first starting this year on March 23. In the second phase the team will travel to a rally point in southern Nepal where they will undergo endurance tests, for one week, in order to become accustomed to the strenuous conditions of the climb. As part of the final phase the team will scale the mountain which will take a month-and-a half and over a week to return. Nepal has banned climbers from going beyond Everest's base camp until May 10 as China plans to take the Olympic torch up the mountain in late April or early May. Zoman is hoping to reach the top of Mount Everest and place the Saudi flag by mid-May. The team consists of four climbers from the US and other three climbers from Canada, France and Oman. Zoman will be one of eight green team members, led by team leader Tim Reeble from Canada. A support team will be accompanying the climbers composed of 17 Nepalese experienced in mountain expedition. To prepare for the climb Zoman said he has been constantly training physically since he has been climbing mountains. Zoman said he has also been practicing Yoga as proper breath control is important while climbing. “Yoga has helped me when I climb, holding in and forcing air out is very helpful, although not many climbers use it.” Zoman's expedition is sponsored by Attariq Communication and Kudu fast-food which are both committed to supporting future projects like Zoman's. Sultan Al-Bazie, CEO of Attariq Communication, said he encourages his employees as well as all young Saudis to be as ambitious as Al-Zoman. “I encouraged Farouq and committed my full support to his expedition, and I ask Allah to allow him success in reaching the mount peak,” Al-Bazie said. “We are willing to act and support all such initiatives that can encourage Saudi youth and also improve the image of the country,” said Abdulmuhsen Al-Yahya, General Manager for Kudu corporation. Mount Everest, part of the Himalayan mountain range is the highest point on the planet, measuring a height of 8,848m. Sir Edmund Hillary, a New Zealander who made a historic first ascent of Mount Everest on May 29, 1953 died in January, aged 88. To the end, Hillary was a climber. His health had reportedly been in decline since April last year, when he suffered a fall while visiting Nepal. At the end of the 2007 climbing season out of 3,679, there were 210 deaths. Zoman will be facing avalanches and -50?C temperatures during his ascent to the highest point on the planet. __
