Nacer Ibn Abdeljalil reaches Everest summit Moroccan climber Nacer Ibn Abdeljalil has described the feeling of climbing Mount Everest as "sheer joy," in his first press conference on home soil since achieving the feat. The 33-year-old came face to face with the world's media in Casablanca on Wednesday, and lifted the lid on his gruelling schedule for the two-month trek.
Abdeljalil reached the summit on May 19, and told Arabstoday it was a long and arduous experience.
"Since the age of 10, I have dreamed of climbing the highest mountain in the world and I am happy to have achieved my dream.
"I feel proud to be the first Moroccan national to climb Everest, and I dedicate this win to King Mohammed VI and the Moroccan people. I would like to thank them for their continuous support.
"I am now here in Morocco to relax and I want to achieve more stuff in the future. I want to climb the summit of the North Pole."
Abdeljalil disclosed that he had encountered several obstacles during the climb, with the lack of experience being a significant factor. The climber said there were times when he thought he was going to die, with shortage of breath and lack of oxygen in the atmosphere.
"It was a real challenge, but there will be other challenges with a lower risk level. I want to climb the seven highest peaks in the world," Abdeljalil concluded.