This article has been re-published from January 2020 Last year I was invited to an interview in the incredible city of Zabrze, Poland for a popular local television program. When the interview came out, I was in the middle of … Read More
This is part 2 from the article Iraqi Mountaineers Discover Cave! | Part I Due to seemingly everlasting conflict in the Iraq region, outdoor recreation and exploration practically disappeared over the past century. However, over the past two decades in … Read More
In the face of the global pandemic that has brought us all indoors, our school has not seen any less demand. In Iraq, climbing is like an obsession that will not release its grip as the Kurds dream of the … Read More
On January 24th, 2020 the First Climbing School in Iraq in history held its first class (will be covered in upcoming post!). Due to the demand for this sport, the ceremonious occasion was attended well over capacity with 69 students … Read More
A couple weeks ago I picked up a call from De Klimspecialist Jasper de Jong. Jasper is an expert in climbing wall construction, climbing equipment, and an instructor for mountain rescue and medical assistance. He let me know that he … Read More
This is the first part of the story behind #ShaxawaniIraq means #ClimbingIraq, the story behind The First Climbing School in Iraq. In this video, we take the time to hear from the women climbers in Iraq, who are discovering a … Read More
On September 7, 2019 Kurdish climber Hawraz Raza fell from a rock wall in a tragic accident. Several hours later he was pronounced dead at the Sulaymaniyah Hospital in Iraq surrounded by friends and climbing partners. News of … Read More
The entire project would not be possible if not for Kamaran H. Rasul. It was in our first conversation together that Kamaran expressed his deepest desires to take what he discovered in mountain climbing and share it with everyone in … Read More
At this time there is not a single store in Iraq that sells climbing gear. In fact, if you only speak the native language, there is currently no information whatsoever on how to even get started because the sport has … Read More
I want to introduce a new series: People That Inspire Me. These articles will be dedicated to those who demonstrated they can be incredible even when the odds are stacked against them, those who taught me something about life or … Read More