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Arab climber on course for famed Europe peak

DUBAI - A Swiss climber who flies helicopters for a living could put an agonising bid to Mount Everest behind him by helping Zed Al Refai in his bid to scale the Matterhorn this week.

Mario Julen was forced to turn back just a few hundred feet from the summit of the world's highest mountain in May this year while Mr Al Refai went on to become the first Arab to conquer Everest.

The two were in contact again on Thursday when Dubai-based Kuwaiti businessman Mr Al Refai arrived in Zermatt, Mr Julen's home town, to begin his Mission Matterhorn preparations at the Hotel Mont Cervin and Residence.

The helicopter pilot is now expected to join German climbers Hermann Berie and Dr Gernot Overbeck in supporting Mr Al Refai, who hopes to climb the 14,700 ft mountain tomorrow.

"We've asked Mr Julen to join us and we're hoping he'll agree because he has so much experience and knows the Matterhorn so well," said Mr Al Refai, whose climb is being sponsored by the Hotel Mont Cervin and Residence and Swiss International Air Lines (SWISS).

"He came so close to scaling Everest in May, but was forced to turn back less than 200 metres from the summit and that was a massive disappointment for him."

Mr Al Refai's progress is being followed by observers from across the Arab world who can send good luck messages to a special email address at the Hotel Mont Cervin & Residence mission.matter horn@seilerhotels.com, and follow developments by visiting his web site at www. foreverest.com.

While heavy snow on the Matterhorn had forced the closure of the traditional base camp at the foot of the mountain on Thursday, conditions have since improved.

Al Refai said: "We'll head off for the base camp, sleep there, and if the weather, is ok we'll set off for the climb before dawn on Sunday."