The Story of the Free Man Living in the Mountains
Dreams are made of burnt orange sunrises and gradient pink and purple sunsets. For most of us, we are lucky to catch a few breathtaking painted skies. For Abdulaziz “Aziz” Alnemer, he chased sunsets and sunrises on his first hikes through mountains. Eventually, hiking became his lifestyle—basking in the views of a many twilights from Earth’s glorious mountains.
For International Mountain Day, celebrated on December 11, Aziz highlights the highland high life and the gift to nature that mountains offer.
He grew up in Dammam, and what would have been a typical city life—education, a degree, a job—could not be further to what his future became. When he lived in Arizona during his college career, he hiked with friends to catch sunsets and sunrises. The experience sparked a special joy that would trail behind him wherever he would go.
Aziz spent hours wandering through many hikes. Eventually, he sought bigger challenges. His hiking trips lasted from hours to entire weekends. Along his adventures, he picked up skills, memories, aches and bruises, and a trail name, Ramen Shaman, in honor of all the ramen he ate while on the trail. When he graduated and moved back to Saudi’s desert lands, he longed for the mountainous escapades.
Having a full-time job is a blessing to most. To Aziz, it was unsatisfying. What he described as “dull hours spent in a concrete box,” a 9 to 5 job did not scratch the itch that lingered on his mind ever since his first hike. So, he packed his bags and headed to Scotland. On his voyage, he attempted the West Highland Way long-distance hike, a 154 km trail.
What was so courageous about his Scotland hike? Well, it was in early April—beautiful weather for Scots, however, unfamiliar for Saudis. The unaccustomed desert-born trekked the snow. “I don’t recommend trying out the hike in snow storms,” he chuckles. The cold was too much to bear and Aziz had to cut his trip short. However, when the more forgiving July weather came, Aziz revisited Scotland and was face-to-face with the West Highland Way. This time, completing the full route in 9 days. “Completing the hike feels really great, but I wouldn’t say it felt fun during the hike,” he admits, laughing.
After that, he bought a tent. Reveling outdoors on the weeklong journey pushed him to the next great challenge: camping. Buying a tent solidified his commitment to the outdoors. He covered a widespan of mountainous locations—from the Nevada to Nepal mountains, the Alps, and the infamous Pacific Crest Trail (PCT), an expansive five-month hike from Mexico to Canada.
It seemed the more time Aziz spent hiking up mountains and sleeping under the stars, the more he remained outside. Going back to his 9 to 5 job was too mediocre, too mute, and too… un-mountainous. After three years working two jobs to fund his adventures, he made a fitting fearless move. He quit and moved to the highlands.
Which mountains to be certain is unpredictable. He spends his weekends in remote areas—while the rest of us crowd in cafés and scamper around malls. “It’s where I belong,” Aziz says, “it’s where I’m meant to be.” Amongst trees, on the highest peaks, in secluded areas, you can find Aziz. In his orange tent with a fire nearby and peace by his side, “The best thing about being in the mountains is that there is no internet. You feel like you’re in the right place, you click with your inner humanness.”
As beautiful as being one with nature is, the threat to what mountains, and our environment as a whole, face is detrimental. Aziz has explored hiking around Saudi and has experienced the good, the bad and the ugly. “Hiking in Saudi offers a raw connection with nature. The untouched land is unique and beautiful but because there are no trails or only ancient ones, you can easily get lost,” Aziz explains. “You have to use your gut instinct to make your way or you have a guide to help you.”
Saudi is famous for its unbearable hot weather; all natives are familiar with the humidity that drips sweat down our foreheads for what feels like endless months. For hikers, however, Aziz mentions Saudi’s weather is more forgiving than other places. “You can hike from October to April just fine. The weather isn’t harsh then, but in Europe, you only have from July to August.”
The bad and ugly aspects of hiking in Saudi, Aziz mentions, is the care for our environment. Through his Instagram, he raises awareness regarding the urgent need to clean up Saudi’s lands. International Mountain Day emphasizes mountains vitality as part of our environment and Saudi Arabia is no exception.
In a photo, Aziz stands amongst a diverse trash pile—tossed plastic chairs, water bottles, cardboard boxes and even clothes hangers lay in Al Souda Forest, a natural area in ‘Asir. Aziz writes in his caption, “This photo wasn’t taken at a landfill.” Speaking about his mission to the environment, he explains, “Since I started hiking, I have been inspired to protect nature, as well as preserve it as much as I can.”
Our days are filled with luxuries; we are spoiled for choice and pampered by technological ease. With his job as a guide (far from the concrete bustle) with his own organization, SIRU Adventure Club, he mentions how beginner hikers react to being in nature. “The sun hits you and you feel the dirt. You click with what is within you. You find peace.” Aziz feels at home outdoors, a place where humans can unlock what they are truly capable of: surviving in nature, a lost skill that diminished after years of comfort dependence.
When it comes to the nitty-gritty of living in mountains and hiking diverse areas, Aziz trumps the general belief on hiking. “From films, people assume that being on the trail and experiencing the mountain-life is life-changing. They say the pursuit of wilderness changes you. Friends that I have hiked with and myself disagree, we did not change on the trail. We had to change in order to pursue it.” He claims it takes courage and sacrifice to do the extraordinary against our modern sheltered lives. The wilderness, ultimately, is your home.
Aziz is the epitome of spontaneity and courage, a humble soul wandering up summits. He is a “homeless man living in the mountains,” as he puts it, a kindred spirit who cares for our environment. Due to climate change, the urgency to care for Mother Earth is dire. And one of the natural treasures we must preserve are the biggest we often overlook—our magnificent mountains.
To learn more about International Mountain Day, click here.
Written by Nora Al-Taha
