Life
The first Saudi Arabian woman to summit Everest, Raha Moharrak on how she prepares for climbing peaks, overcoming fear and the biggest lessons she’s learned from her adventures.
What do the first 30 minutes of your morning look like?
It’s a thrilling mix of trying to convince myself I’m a morning person and chasing after my two German Shepherds, Thunder and Petra, followed by plotting my next adventure before my brain fully wakes up – whether said adventure requires a book or boots. It’s chaos, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
What was your drive to climb Everest?
Honestly? It started with a stubborn itch to prove that an Arab woman can do anything she sets her heart (and hiking boots) on. Then it snowballed into something bigger: rewriting the narrative of what’s possible for women like me.
As the youngest Arab and first Saudi Arabian woman to summit Everest, how did you handle doubters?
With a grin, grit, and GPS set to “prove them wrong.” Doubt makes the summit sweeter; every “you can’t” was fuel in my backpack.
What’s the biggest challenge of climbing at high altitude?
Breathing becomes a luxury. At those altitudes, your body throws tantrums and your brain turns into mashed potatoes. But you push through, because the view from the top doesn’t come easy.
You’ve summited Kilimanjaro, Denali, and Elbrus – which mountain tested you most, and why?
Denali, hands down. It pushed me the hardest – brutal cold, heavy gear, and isolation that messes with your mind. It’s not just a mountain;
it’s a full-on survival exam.
What did it feel like when you reached Everest’s summit?
It was surreal, like standing on the roof of the world with the weight of every “no” finally lifted. I felt small, powerful, and deeply grateful all at once.
How do you prepare your body and mind for extreme altitudes?
Training like a beast and meditating like a monk. It’s squats and silence, lunges and letting go. You prep the body, yes, but mental strength is what carries you to the top when your legs are begging you to stop.
Where does your sense of adventure come from?
Somewhere between Saudi sand dunes and storybooks. I grew up dreaming of worlds beyond mine, then decided to chase them in hiking boots.
How do you unwind?
Give me a sunset, a beach, good music, genuine people, and my fur babies snoring at my feet. Add some pistachio gelato, and you’ve got the perfect recovery plan.
What’s the one lesson from your climbs that has changed how you approach life’s challenges?
The mountain doesn’t care who you are, but it rewards those who respect the journey. Life, like climbing, is all about showing up, step after step, even when the summit’s hidden in the clouds.
If you could give one piece of advice to your younger self before that first big climb, what would it be?
“Your doubts are loud now, but one day they’ll be the quietest thing on that summit.” Also: pack more socks.
This is The Summer Escape Issue – where are you heading to this summer?
I’m trading crampons for coastline; Sardinia’s calling – sun, sea, and just enough adventure to keep my wanderlust on a leash (barely).
