Hind Zemmama: A Moroccan Woman Who Defied Age and Conquered the Most Difficult Peaks

Hind Zemmama During One of Her Adventures

Hind Zemmama.. A Moroccan Woman Who Defied Age and Conquered the Most Difficult Peaks

Hind Zemmama, a mother and grandmother, never imagined she would one day reach the summits of five of the world's highest classified mountains by the age of fifty. However, her passion and determination drove her to embark on challenging adventures that led her to conquer towering peaks, most notably Mount Everest.

The Beginning of the Journey

Hind's story with mountaineering began after watching a program about the sport. It reminded her of childhood summer vacations in her village nestled in the mountains of southern Morocco, and she felt a longing for those moments of climbing and playing among the rocks and valleys. 

Hind said, "When I decided to embark on this experience, I had no idea about mountaineering, about mountains, or the equipment needed." She added with a smile, "The mountains were seeking me out, not the other way around."

Hind explained that mountaineering was "the only sport that could satisfy my innate sense of challenge, allowing me to step outside my comfort zone and listen to myself in the presence and tranquility of the mountain." Her first mountaineering journey began in 2023 with the ascent of Mount Toubkal, the highest peak in North Africa, located near Marrakech in central Morocco.

Hind faced significant difficulties reaching the summit of Toubkal, as authorities initially prevented her from reaching it, citing the deaths of climbers on the mountain. Despite this setback, her determination to achieve her first summit remained unwavering. 

A week later, she returned and successfully reached the summit of the mountain, which stands at 4,176 meters above sea level. From that moment, she vowed to raise the Moroccan flag atop the Seven Summits.

Next, she set out for Tanzania to climb Mount Kilimanjaro, but failed on her first attempt and was forced to descend after feeling extremely exhausted. Hind said, "Kilimanjaro was my first failure, and when I returned to Morocco, my conscience bothered me for not completing the challenge and reaching the highest peak in Africa. After three months, I returned to Tanzania and managed to climb Kilimanjaro."

After Kilimanjaro, Hind headed to Russia to climb Mount Elborz in the Caucasus Mountains, and then to Mount Laksentis in Indonesia, considered one of the most challenging peaks in the world. Hind reached the summit of Mount Everest last May. 

Regarding her feelings upon reaching the top, she said, "I truly can't describe what I felt. I was so proud of my Moroccan heritage, and my pride increased when I received a royal message from King Mohammed VI congratulating me on my journey."

Risks and Obstacles

Regarding the obstacles Hind faced on her mountaineering expedition, she explained, "Mountain climbing isn't easy. The more you advance, the greater the danger. I suffered a lot; I cried, but I had no other choice but to climb." She added, "We traversed extremely dangerous paths of rocky slopes and snow crevices, and sometimes you had to use your hands to climb. It was incredibly difficult."

Hind also mentioned other challenges, such as oxygen deprivation and low temperatures, which affect the body. She explained that the brain begins to create scenarios, hallucinations, and obsessive thoughts, and this is where the climber's mental strength truly shines. 

When asked how she manages to balance her work, family, and her passion for mountaineering, she said, "I'm not an Iron Lady or a superhero. I'm a simple person who tries to balance my work and family, giving everyone their due."

Reaching the Summit

The first thing Hind does upon reaching a summit is take out the Moroccan flag and a picture of the Moroccan monarch from her bag. She explained that most climbers carry a flag or a small souvenir to take a picture with, "but I take out pictures of my family, the King, the Moroccan flag, and a picture of the shopping center. This takes a long time, and others start complaining, saying, 'Come on, we're late!'"

Hind said she tries to promote her country wherever she goes, bringing Moroccan food and clothing to give to her colleagues and the people she meets. Regarding her future goals, Hind said, "I will try to raise the Moroccan flag atop the Seven Summits."