Mashreq Qatar has announced its sponsorship to an attempt to climb Mt Elbrus, the highest mountain in Europe, by one of its staff participating in “The Seven Summits” challenge.
Mohamed Alaa, assistant relationship manager for Corporate & Investment Banking Group at Mashreq Qatar, has left for Russia to climb Mt Elbrus, which will form the second stage of the challenge. Marshreq Qatar’s sponsorship covers the cost of the eight-day journey.
The Seven Summits challenge involves climbing the highest peaks on every continent: Mt Everest in Asia, Aconcagua (South America), Mt McKinley (North America), Mt Kilimanjaro (Africa), Mt Elbrus (Europe), Vinson Massif (Antarctica), and Carstensz Pyramid (Oceania).
Mt Elbrus, with a summit spanning 5,642m high, is considered the highest in Europe. It is a dormant volcano and takes seven to eight days to reach its peak and back.
“I took up mountaineering as a sport and hobby in early 2008 and I accepted the ‘Seven Summits’ challenge last year after I successfully summited Kilimanjaro Mountain in August 2014, the highest in Africa and the highest free-standing mountain in the world.
“My next challenge is conquering Mt Elbrus this year and I’m grateful that Mashreq Qatar will be part of the experience by making it possible for me to carry on with the ‘Seven Summits’ challenge,” Alaa said.
Henk Hoogendoorn, Mashreq Qatar Country head, said: “At Mashreq, we make it possible, and we most definitely wanted to reflect that towards our staff members. As a progressive, local employer, it is our role to empower our staff for them to achieve new goals, whether in the work place or in other areas of their lives. We are delighted to be sponsoring Mohamed’s latest challenge and wish him a successful climb.”
Colleagues at Mashreq Qatar during Mohamed Alaa’s sendoff to Mt Elbrus.
