Cairo, 15 April 2015 - Omar Samra is one step closer to achieving the ‘Adventurers Grand Slam’ title as he prepares to head to the North Pole mid April, backed with the support of the Commercial International Bank (CIB). If he succeeds, Samra will become the first Egyptian to join an elite group of 40 people who have realized this achievement throughout history.
“The Adventurers Grand Slam” is the feat of climbing the 7 Summits and skiing to the North and South Poles. Samra, who has already completed the 7 Summits Challenge in June 2013, succeeded to ski the last degree of the South Pole last December after a 14-day trip, crossing 111 kilometers across Antarctica.
Samra is currently preparing for his last expedition - to the North Pole - before he can realize this title; and expects to cross 111 kilometers skiing to the last degree in the North Pole in approximately two weeks.
“CIB’s support to Omar is one facet of our commitment towards the society and youth development. We are pleased to work with young talents like Omar, as we believe that today’s youth are tomorrow’s leaders. CIB is keen on playing its role in supporting, endorsing and paving the way for such talents, who we believe can play an integral role in building Egypt’s future”, said Hisham Ezz Al-Arab, CIB Chairman and Managing Director.
“I’m very thrilled to be so close to realizing a life-long dream. I wouldn’t be where I am now without the support and belief of CIB”, said Omar Samra. “I expect to start the expedition mid April, and I will be skiing from the 89th degree north to the North Pole in the middle of the frozen Arctic Ocean.”, he added.
Several challenges face Omar during the trip. The Arctic is characterized by leads, which are open spaces between the ice interrupting the frozen Ocean. The ice is also constantly shifting; while Sastrugi’s, which are small ice features that look like frozen ripples in an ocean, can cause pressure ridges to rise as high as 3m off the ground, making the journey slower and more difficult. Polar bears, popular inhabitants of the Arctic, also pose a threat, so the team will carry shotguns to scare them away and defend themselves.
The ‘Adventurers Grand Slam’ media partners include MBC Masr, Nogoum FM and Masrawy, who will be regularly updating their readers, listeners and viewers on Samra’s daily progress during his trip to the North Pole.
