LIFE IN MOUNTAINS

Stunning cliffs, rugged trails, breathtaking views.

Adventure awaits in Soudah Peaks.

As a photojournalist, I've travelled through fascinating terrains.

But this is unlike anything I'd expected to see in Saudi Arabia.

And there are people here who push themselves to the limit.

Wow!

Hello.

Rena, come to join!

No, I'm scared. I'm too scared.

So, this is like a playground here.

Yes, all the mountains, it's part of our life everyday.

And what sort of activities do you do here?

Abseiling, hiking, camping, mountain biking

and paragliding.

You're not scared of heights?

No, maybe because I was born here and live in the mountains.

Being up in the skies is something Abdulbari can't do without.

I like paragliding.

It's the most beautiful thing.

When I feel my energy going down, I come to fly.

To fly without sound.

To feel the wind around your hair.

I like to see Soudah from different angles.

They have a special window to watch things.

Animals and the trees, people.

It's amazing.

I feel I am Superman.

- How was it? - Fantastic.

Yeah, you're like the master of the sky here.

Soudah Peaks has also helped shape athletes with their feet on the ground.

Champions like Fawaz Al Asiri.

A ten kilometre runner, he represented Saudi Arabia at the World Championships.

Fawaz comes from a family of athletes, and with dad, Ali,

trains his younger brother, Fayez, on mountain trails near their home.

Fawaz's sporting passion goes beyond athletics.

He's also working with a new generation of riders in the Shabab Cycling Club.

So, why do you like cycling so much?

You can go out and ride a bike

and enjoy the mountainous landscapes and views.

I initially liked it as a hobby, but it evolved into a passion and then into a profession.

Are you all ready?

We'll start with an easy ride along the scenic route.

Okay?

Alright, let's move.

We started almost a year and a half ago.

Some didn't even know how to use a bike.

Now, we have four riders at national team level.

Soudah Peaks rises to over 3,000 metres,

and cycling at this altitude gives riders a competitive advantage.

When they train for extended periods in high-altitude areas like ours,

then descend to sea level,

this process stimulates the production of red blood cells

and increases their ability to utilise oxygen more effectively.

I have a question for the boys.

Do they think he's a good trainer?

- Yes! - Yes, he is.

Honestly, he is a great leader who turned ordinary players into heroes

and helped them change for the better.

Are they making you blush?

Soudah's dramatic landscape is a calling card to adventurous people around the world.

Stunning cliffs, rugged trails, breathtaking views.

Adventure awaits in Soudah Peaks.

As a photojournalist, I've travelled through fascinating terrains.

But this is unlike anything I'd expected to see in Saudi Arabia.

And there are people here who push themselves to the limit.

Wow!

Hello.

Rena, come to join!

No, I'm scared. I'm too scared.

So, this is like a playground here.

Yes, all the mountains, it's part of our life everyday.

And what sort of activities do you do here?

Abseiling, hiking, camping, mountain biking

and paragliding.

You're not scared of heights?

No, maybe because I was born here and live in the mountains.

Being up in the skies is something Abdulbari can't do without.

I like paragliding.

It's the most beautiful thing.

When I feel my energy going down, I come to fly.

To fly without sound.

To feel the wind around your hair.

I like to see Soudah from different angles.

They have a special window to watch things.

Animals and the trees, people.

It's amazing.

I feel I am Superman.

- How was it? - Fantastic.

Yeah, you're like the master of the sky here.

Soudah Peaks has also helped shape athletes with their feet on the ground.

Champions like Fawaz Al Asiri.

A ten kilometre runner, he represented Saudi Arabia at the World Championships.

Fawaz comes from a family of athletes, and with dad, Ali,

trains his younger brother, Fayez, on mountain trails near their home.

Fawaz's sporting passion goes beyond athletics.

He's also working with a new generation of riders in the Shabab Cycling Club.

So, why do you like cycling so much?

You can go out and ride a bike

and enjoy the mountainous landscapes and views.

I initially liked it as a hobby, but it evolved into a passion and then into a profession.

Are you all ready?

We'll start with an easy ride along the scenic route.

Okay?

Alright, let's move.

We started almost a year and a half ago.

Some didn't even know how to use a bike.

Now, we have four riders at national team level.

Soudah Peaks rises to over 3,000 metres,

and cycling at this altitude gives riders a competitive advantage.

When they train for extended periods in high-altitude areas like ours,

then descend to sea level,

this process stimulates the production of red blood cells

and increases their ability to utilise oxygen more effectively.

I have a question for the boys.

Do they think he's a good trainer?

- Yes! - Yes, he is.

Honestly, he is a great leader who turned ordinary players into heroes

and helped them change for the better.

Are they making you blush?

Soudah's dramatic landscape is a calling card to adventurous people around the world.