15-year-old Moroccan climber, Youssef Tazia has reached the 6,250-metre summit of Kang Yatse II in the Indian
Himalayas without using supplemental oxygen.
The success of the young Moroccan mountaineer Youssef Tazia in the Himalayas comes after an eight-day expedition in the Markha Valley, Ladakh.
It represents a significant step in his “Road to Everest 2028” plan, designed to progressively prepare him to climb the world’s highest peak.
The young mountaineer reached the summit of Kang Yatse II, which rises to 6,250 metres in the Indian Himalayas, last Saturday, at the end of an eight-day expedition. Completed without supplemental oxygen, this ascent makes Youssef Tazi the youngest Moroccan, African, and Arab mountaineer to reach this altitude, marking a new milestone in his “Road to Everest 2028” project, his team announced in a statement.
The attempt to reach the summit, located in the Markha Valley in Ladakh, northern India, began at 12:18 a.m. from base camp, situated at 5,070 metres.
The round trip took 12 hours and 21 minutes, with a total elevation gain of 1,180 metres, the same source specified.
According to the same source, the climb took place in particularly challenging conditions, with temperatures dropping to -10°C, dense fog severely reducing visibility, and snow covering nearly two-thirds of the route, reaching thigh height in some places.
These challenging weather conditions forced thirteen participants to abandon their attempt, while sixteen climbers reached the summit. Youssef’s team was the first to reach it that day.
This ascent is the culmination of several years of dedication during which Youssef Tazi has climbed more than fifty peaks in Morocco, as well as several mountains abroad, including Mount Ararat in Turkey, Kilimanjaro (Africa’s highest peak), and Mount Elbrus (Europe’s highest peak).
Alongside his sporting career, Youssef Tazi is a Youth Advocate for Children’s Rights with UNICEF in Morocco, encouraging children and young people to be physically active, pursue their education, adopt a healthy lifestyle, and protect the environment.
His “Road to Everest 2028” project is designed to gradually lead him toward his ultimate goal: climbing Mount Everest in 2028.
AK/Sf/fss/as/APA