Moroccan Team of Nine Prepares for Historic Everest Ascent

Baptized Atlas 9, the mission of the Moroccan Expedition Team group is to achieve a sensational feat, proudly hoisting the national colors on the roof of the world. "Five Moroccans have already climbed Everest, but this time it is the first Moroccan team attempting to conquer the highest summit in the world," said Adil Taibi, a member of the Atlas 9 mission, to the MAP.

For Adil Taibi, the only member of the group who climbed Everest in 2021 and who wants to repeat his feat, but this time as a team, the goal of this mission is above all to make Morocco known and all the potential it has in terms of tourism. "It is also about setting a good example for young people that obstacles are mainly in our heads," says this state engineer who has over 50 summits in Morocco and abroad to his credit.

Originally from Kenitra, the young mountaineer thinks that climbing Everest will not be as easy because it requires long physical and psychological as well as financial preparations. Conquering Everest, according to Adil, is also "being able to face the various challenges including glacial temperatures, spontaneous avalanches, lack of oxygen, freeze-dried food and many others".

The young mountaineer had very good moments last year and hopes it will be the same with Everest. "Last year was special. At first, I had to overcome the language barrier with the Sherpas, these Nepalese high mountain guides, who do not master English".

The ascent of Everest sees fatal incidents every year, which requires adventurers to strictly respect safety and precautionary measures, assures Adil. "The suffering of a few days makes the success of a lifetime," says the mountaineer who intends to carry the Moroccan flag high on the highest peaks in the world.

In addition to Adil Taibi, the group is made up of seven other men and one woman, all determined to reach the summit of the planet. They are Seloua Bouhlal, an emergency physician and mountaineer, Ayoub Koutar, an engineer who created the "Outdooors" platform aimed at developing sports in Morocco, and Anass Errihani, a professional photographer. There is also Nabil Gayl, the first disabled Moroccan who succeeded in climbing Kilimanjaro (5,895 m), the highest summit in Africa.