KUWAIT: Kuwaiti renowned mountaineer Youssef Al-Rifaie reached the highest stratovolcano summit in North America at the Pico de Orizaba mountain in Mexico, to become the first Kuwaiti with this achievement. In a phone call yesterday, Rifaie said that the mountain stands at 5,636 meters above sea level. He noted that among the hardships he faced while climbing the mountain was darkness, extremely cold weather and lack of oxygen. Rifaie, who had climbed his fourth stratovolcano summit, added that the way back down was also exhausting, however, he was overwhelmed with joy by his achievement.

Meanwhile, the climber revealed his future plans in continuing to climb stratovolcano summits to cover all seven around the world, as well as skating in the North and South poles. Rifaie started climbing in 2015 and was the first Arab to climb the highest stratovolcano summit in Papua New Guinea in Oceania last August, standing at 4,367 meters above sea level. – KUNA