Exploring Earth’s extremes with Yousef AlRefaie

Yousef AlRefaie, a Kuwaiti mountaineer and adventurer, has made headlines for his exploration of the world’s most extreme environments. From deserts to volcanic summits, his journeys are as much about personal achievement as they are about raising awareness on global issues like the water crisis.

In 2022, AlRefaie achieved a Guinness World Record as the youngest person to climb seven volcanic summits, reaching the highest volcanoes on each of the seven continents at 24 years and 119 days. He also completed the ‘volcanic seven summits’ challenge, becoming the 24th in the world to do so, reaching the highest point in every GCC country within six days.

In an engaging conversation with Gulf Business’ editor, Neesha Salian, the adventurer talks about his experiences and his docu-series Earth’s Extremes, providing a deep dive into the life of a modern-day explorer.

Tell me a little bit about yourself, Yousef. I know that you’ve got a background in political science.

That’s right. I graduated from Kuwait University with a major in political science and public administration. But my love for the outdoors and mountaineering goes way back. Growing up, we had a large library at home, and my father had a subscription to National Geographic. Although my English wasn’t great at the time, the visuals in those magazines fascinated me. I always wanted to explore like the adventurers I saw in those pictures.

After an initial stint in law school, which I didn’t enjoy, I took a gap year and stumbled upon an advertisement to climb Africa’s highest mountain. That trip sparked my passion for mountaineering.

From there to achieving a record, how has your journey been? How did you go from being a novice to climbing the summits?

It’s been quite a journey. After climbing Kilimanjaro (in Tanzania), I had a lot of learning experiences that led to my growth. For instance, I once attempted to climb Mount Baker (in the US) with minimal preparation and ended up in a crevasse. These experiences taught me valuable lessons about preparedness and resilience. Over time, I aimed higher, including climbing in the French Alps.

Each climb brought its own set of challenges and learning opportunities.

In terms of training, how did you prepare yourself physically and mentally for these adventures?

Training in Kuwait, a flat country, posed its challenges. I had to get creative, like using a treadmill at its highest incline with a backpack. Strength training is also crucial since climbing involves carrying heavy gear. However, mental preparation is equally important. It’s about having the inner drive to push through tough situations.

Mental fortitude often makes the difference in achieving your goals.

Which of the volcanic summits you’ve climbed was the easiest and which was the most difficult?

Each summit has its challenges. For instance, Kilimanjaro might seem easy now, but as an 18-year-old with no experience, it was a huge challenge. Pico de Orizaba (in Mexico) was relatively straightforward because I was well-prepared. On the other hand, each climb has taught me something new, and even the so-called easy ones can present unexpected challenges.

How has mountaineering changed you mentally and personally?

Mountaineering has significantly changed me. I used to be short-tempered, but now I rarely get angry. Being out of my comfort zone has taught me patience and resilience.

These experiences force you to adapt and grow, changing your personality and traits in the process.

As a Kuwaiti travelling with diverse groups or to different parts of the world, how have people responded to you and your culture?

When it comes to stereotypes, especially in the Western world, people often categorise Kuwaitis in a certain way. In the GCC, there’s a perception that we all own Ferraris and flaunt our wealth in places like London. However, I believe I’m a good ambassador for changing those stereotypes.

Many of my friends, who initially saw me through this stereotypical lens, have changed their views. People often question why someone from Kuwait, or even from Saudi Arabia, Qatar or the UAE, would pursue this sport. A German friend once told me he couldn’t imagine someone from Kuwait doing this, and it changed his perspective.

In the Western world, there’s still a lot of surprise, but there’s also curiosity and interest. On the other hand, people from other parts of the world are often happy to see tourism grow and are open to learning about new cultures.

It was also fascinating to see how some communities I met were unaware of our region.

For example, when I visited Papua New Guinea, I had to explain where Kuwait is. I’d say, “If you know Dubai, we’re just an hour away by plane.” Some people had not even heard of the UAE, Saudi Arabia or Egypt but knew of London. So, I’d explain, saying, “Kuwait is six hours from London.”

Exploring such remote locations and engaging in these sports can truly change stereotypes. It’s an opportunity for cultural exchange and learning, breaking down boundaries whether you’re climbing a mountain or crossing a desert.

Tell us about your documentary Earth’s Extremes. What inspired it and what experiences have you had so far?

The idea for the documentary Earth’s Extremes came about quite by coincidence. I was scrolling through Instagram when I stumbled upon an image of large handmade umbrellas resembling turtle shells. This led me to Mawsynram in India, the wettest place on Earth, and sparked the idea for my next challenge.

Initially, I wondered if just visiting these extreme places was enough. But then I realised it wouldn’t be meaningful without a purpose. So I called my friend Faisal Al-Karam, who is a director, and said, “Get ready, we’re going to the wettest place on Earth.” And that’s how it started.

We began with Mawsynram, located in the Indian state of Meghalaya, documenting the lives of people living there and exploring the meteorological extremes they face. These people live in such extreme conditions not because of war, but due to the destiny of being born there and their ability to cope with the situation. Interestingly, despite being the rainiest spot on Earth, they have to buy water during the dry season.

Our goal was to understand the science behind these extremes and bring attention to often unnoticed aspects of these places. We interviewed the Indian Meteorological Department and conducted extensive research. This led us to the hottest place on Earth, which is actually in the US, but the record is very old. Now, Kuwait is considered one of the hottest places on Earth with records spanning over 80 years.

Next, we explored Dallol in Ethiopia, the hottest inhabited place year-round. We visited in December when temperatures were around 46°C, but in summer, they reached 51°C. The average temperature is about 38°C. We documented the incredible adaptability and community structure of the people there. Living alone is not an option; they rely heavily on each other for survival, which fosters an amazing bond.

The people in these extreme locations are often misunderstood. They have a reputation for being unwelcoming to strangers, but given their harsh living conditions, it’s understandable. They are resilient, nomadic warriors who travel with camels, which are more common than cars in their region.

Recently, we visited the driest place, the Atacama Desert. It’s fascinating because, despite the era of information we live in, there are still places that remain unexplored.

The expedition, which spanned from April 11 to May 7, was full of challenges. We meticulously researched and analysed maps, often finding that many locations were either mere names or ruins of abandoned towns. Despite these difficulties, we went to Quillagua.

The expedition spanned 7,000 kilometres across harsh, unforgiving landscapes. From Caletas to remote mining regions and secluded communities, it was more than a climatic discovery; it was a profoundly human connection. Travelling through these areas, I found that each encounter revealed the profound simplicity of human existence in extreme conditions.

Where are you headed next?

Next, I’m heading to Oymyakon in Siberia, the coldest inhabited place on the planet, with a population of fewer than 500 people. The residents there live much as they did in the past, facing unique challenges. For example, they don’t have running water. Instead, they receive chunks of ice from the government, which they must melt themselves for drinking, showering, and other daily needs.

Interestingly, despite the diverse extremes I’ve explored, one common crisis ties them all together: the water crisis. In Oymyakon, it’s about obtaining water in liquid form. In the driest places, like the Atacama Desert, there’s a severe lack of water. In Ethiopia, where drilling wells is incredibly challenging and expensive due to the rocky ground, water scarcity is a significant issue. Even in Mawsynram, the wettest place on Earth, residents face water shortages outside the monsoon season and rely on external sources.

So, no matter the extreme, water remains a critical issue in all these places. It’s also interesting to see how people innovate and adapt to such challenging situations.

One such innovation I recently discovered is a fog catcher, which is used in the Atacama. These are simple yet effective devices made of nets strung between two poles. When fog passes through these nets, the water droplets are trapped, collected and channelled into pipes, providing water to communities.

This concept, invented in the 1990s, can generate up to 20 litres of water per hour. Despite being a Chilean invention, fog catchers are now widely used worldwide, with Morocco being the leading country in their implementation.

Based on what you are saying, the documentary will be a powerful medium to spread awareness about the global water crisis. Where can we watch it after it’s completed?

We plan to air it on Kuwait Television. I recently had a meeting with Kuwait Airways to discuss featuring it on their flights as well. The documentary, which will consist of four episodes covering the wettest, hottest, driest, and coldest places on Earth, is scheduled for release in Q1 2025 after we complete filming in Siberia.