Emirati woman becomes first Arab to reach Antarctica's peak

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Emirati woman becomes first Arab to reach Antarctica’s highest peak

January 7, 2026

DUBAI,— Emirati mountaineer Fatima Abdulrahman Al Awadhi has reached the summit of Mount Vinson in Antarctica, becoming the first Arab and the youngest person from the region to stand on the continent’s highest peak, according to the Emirates News Agency.

Mount Vinson rises 4,892 meters above sea level and is considered one of the most remote and challenging mountains in the world. Al Awadhi reached the summit on Tuesday, January 6, 2026, at the age of 18.

The climb marks her third achievement in the Seven Summits challenge, a global mountaineering goal that involves climbing the highest mountain on each continent.

The expedition was supported by Palms Sports, a UAE based sports management and training company that focuses on athlete development and youth empowerment.

The company has been involved in supporting Emirati athletes across multiple disciplines, according to information provided by the sponsor.

Climbing Mount Vinson requires extended exposure to extreme weather conditions. Temperatures during the expedition dropped below minus 40 degrees Celsius, while strong winds and prolonged isolation added to the difficulty of the ascent.

The journey can take up to three weeks, requiring climbers to rely heavily on physical preparation, mental focus, and logistical planning.

Al Awadhi described Mount Vinson as significantly more demanding than her previous climbs. She noted that the mountain’s isolation and cold conditions require a high degree of self reliance.

According to her account, the experience highlighted the importance of endurance and discipline when operating in one of the world’s most severe natural environments.

Al Awadhi acknowledged the role of the UAE and its leadership in supporting youth participation in international achievements.

She said that raising the UAE flag on global summits reflects decades of national development and investment in opportunity. She also credited institutional support for making such expeditions possible.

She further recognized the contributions of her sponsors, family members, and training partners.

According to Al Awadhi, access to resources and encouragement plays a central role in transforming long term goals into measurable outcomes.

In addition to her mountaineering activities, Al Awadhi is currently a university student studying Economics.

She has stated that education remains a priority alongside athletic and exploratory goals. She emphasized that professional development and academic progress are essential components of long term success.

Al Awadhi also highlighted the importance of representation for Arab youth, particularly young women.

She said ambition should not be delayed and encouraged individuals to pursue goals across all fields while remaining committed to personal development.

The expedition also received backing from Dar Al Takaful Finance, a UAE financial institution. The company previously supported Al Awadhi during her climb of Mount Elbrus in southern Russia.

She reached the summit of Mount Elbrus, which stands at 5,642 meters, on July 6, 2025, becoming the youngest Emirati to complete that ascent.

(With files from WAM)