Mountaineering is a demanding pursuit that calls for rigorous training and preparation. But a Non-Resident Keralite (NRK) in Dubai has shown the world that mountaineering, especially conquering top peaks of the world, can be done if one has a dedicated mind for it.
A sales manager with a corporate company in UAE, 47-year-old Abdul Niyas from Punnala, Pathanapuram in Kollam took up mountaineering in a small way to get out of the boredom in life during the Covid-19 induced lockdown period. Though he was not much into any sports during his school and college days, his long walks along with his father during his childhood days gave him the confidence to take up mountaineering. He says that the long walks with his father laid the foundation of his strength and endurance.
He began exploring every major desert mountain trail in the UAE gradually building stamina, discipline, and mental resilience. After conquering most regional trails, he knew it was time to aim higher.
In April 2024, he trekked to Everest Base Camp. Though physically demanding, the summit served as a turning point in his life. “When I successfully completed the EBC, I began to think seriously about the Seven Summits,” he told “Open Digest“.
In August 2024, Niyas scaled Europe’s highest peak Mount Elbrus in southern Russia in a 6-day expedition facing sub-zero temperatures and blizzards. “The trek to Mount Elbrus really tested my nerves. I had to put in a lot of preparation both physically and mentally for the trek. At one point, I felt like the task was impossible, but I was not ready to give up. When I finished on top, it gave me more confidence,” he added.
Later that year, he went on to scale Africa’s highest peak Mount Kilimanjaro. Though demanding, he ranks it far below Elbrus in difficulty, pointing to the Russian peak’s harsh winds, and the absence of helicopter evacuation as decisive factors making Elbrus a far more challenging climb.
Niyas says that discipline in life and regular exercise were very important in pursuing mountaineering. Even amidst his busy official tasks, Niyas used to walk at least 10 km a day to maintain a strong fitness level. “If one is systematic, there is nothing that is impossible,” he notes.
With Everest Base Camp, Elbrus, and Kilimanjaro now behind him, Niyas has set his sights on Aconcagua in Argentina, the second-highest among the Seven Summits as his next major expedition.
