At the beginning of September, a four-year-old child achieved a world feat, becoming the youngest aspiring mountaineer to reach the highest peak in North Africa. Prepared physically, mentally and medically for several months, Sami Tazi made the ascent of Toubkal (4,167), thanks to the close support of his uncle, Zakaria Naji Lamrani, a doctor specializing in cardiology and himself an author of exploits international. Currently, the practitioner undertakes to reach Elbrouz (Russia, 5,643 meters), the highest mountain in Europe.
“It was after my brother climbed Kilimanjaro (Zanzibar) last year that Sami, fascinated by these exploits, wanted to do one of these climbs with his uncle, who promised to climb together Toubkal, for its fourth birthday,” the child’s mother, Maryame Naji Lamrani, told Yabiladi. “However, it was important not to undertake this ascent blindly,” she said. The child was accompanied by three adults: his uncle, his father used to hiking, as well as a mountain guide who has already supervised outings for children.
Youness Tazi, Sami’s father, insists on this point: “It is very important that the child is already at a stage where he can express his feelings and make himself understood by those around him. It is essential to check your health check, by taking a blood sample and carrying out an electrocardiogram, in addition to being sure that the risks are under control.
Sami accompanied by his uncle
Learning for parents and children
Maryame Naji Lamrani tells us that “Sami is used to outings in nature, in the mountains”. “Hiking and rural tourism are rituals within the family and Sami loves games in the great outdoors. He early integrated the idea of not being afraid to leave his comfort zone, to leave the house for a few days of hiking, and also to know how to appreciate what he has, ”she says.
“We have taught Sami to adapt to different situations, by preparing him beforehand, in an educational, playful and involving approach, where he participates at his level in the preparations, so that he is reassured about what is in progress. happening.”
Maryame Naji Lamrani
Maryame accompanied her child in the psychic preparation for the ascent of Toubkal. “It’s first of all a process that started at my level, when I decided to train myself in positive parenting. At the beginning, I often overprotected my child and I noticed that this approach was not the most adequate. So I wanted to work on myself, considering that it is an exercise in surpassing oneself”, she tells us.
The parents also prepared Sami for accepting failure: “We clearly explained to him that it was above all a learning stage, which in itself will be a feat for him and for us, that the top of the mountain is not the ultimate goal, but rather what such an outing will bring to his awareness of his abilities and limits.
Sami accompanied by his father
Take children out of the world of excessive screens
Maryame points out that “the most precious gift for a child is that his parents spend time with him, creating collective moments and common goals”. Wishing to share with young parents what this moment of preparation has taught her, she believes that “it is important to favor contact with nature rather than leaving the little ones in front of tablet and telephone screens”. “As a doctor and knowing the damage of these uses, I ask parents to create other habits: the open air soothes, allows moments of fulfillment and promotes a very important balance for the psyche”, says the mother. For the dad, “all of this is done over a long period of time and is part of the mental preparation, which is done regularly and over several years”.
“This climb was an opportunity to create beautiful memories with Sami. It’s a great way to spend time with your little ones: we help them integrate the notion of accomplishment, which will serve them in all aspects of life.”
Youness Tazi
Cardiology specialist living in Senegal, Zakaria Naji Lamrani, for his part, indicates that given the height, which implies a lack of oxygen as the climb progresses, the child has alternated walking and carrying over the last 200 meters. “He had some drowsiness at some point, but the medical support and that of the mountain guide saved him from any risk of discomfort or possible edema”. “All possibilities were considered, including going down before the finish, if necessary,” insisted the doctor.
Sami accompanied by his mountain guide
“In an orderly fashion, we were taking breaks throughout the ascent. I measured Sami’s heart rate, his pulse and his temperature constantly, in particular using a hiking watch, ”he added, also emphasizing the essential aspect of the supervision of these outings.
“At the top, Sami was very happy. We explained to him that we were at the highest point in Morocco and North Africa, and that he was the youngest child to have reached it. He may not have realized the scope of the feat at the time, but he will keep good memories of it that he will be able to tell about himself, in a few years”, confides the father with a touch of pride.
