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First Arab to scale Everest says way to the top more exciting than being on top

DUBAI - Approaching the summit is more ecstatic than being on the top itself, says Dubai-based Kuwaiti mountain climber, Zed Al Refai, the first Arab to successfully conquer the magnificent Mount Everest a year ago.

Today, Mr Al Refai celebrates the first anniversary of his feat.

Recalling the historic moment Mr Al Refai says, "That day is more important than my birthday. It is more than a dream." Mr Al Refai today is also being honoured by the Alpine Club of Pakistan and the Adventure Foundation of Pakistan in Kuwait for his monumental achievement.

Speaking about his honouring by the Pakistani club, Mr Al Refai said that the club wanted to promote tourism in Pakistan, "and rightly so," he said, adding that he was also extended an invitation to head an expedition in the Pakistani Himalayas in June 2005.

"With the assemblage of 35 giant peaks over 24,000ft high, the region is a climber's paradise. Many summits are even higher than 26,000ft and the highest K-2 is exceeded only by Mt Everest," said Mr Al Refai. Pakistan has seven of the 16 tallest peaks in Asia. "The statistics are simply baffling, 40 of the world's 50 highest mountains are in Pakistan; in Baltistan over 45 peaks touch or cross the 20,000 foot mark; in Gilgit within a radius of 65 miles, there are over two dozen peaks ranging in height between 18,000 and 26,000 feet," he explained.

Thirty-seven year old Al Refai is also the first Arab, and the 79th person ever to conquer the seven highest summits on the seven continents.

"This summer, I plan to scale the Alps while during the next climbing season in June, July and August of 2005, I hope to scale Mount Matterhorn," he says.