In a feat of remarkable endurance and determination, a Guinness World Record-holder led a group of women to the summit of North Africa’s highest peak. Zaynab Jogi, from Blackburn, Lancashire, said she was “buzzing” when four of the climbers reached the top of Mount Toubkal in Morocco.
Zaynab Jogi, affectionately known as Zee, spearheaded the rigorous preparation for the women-only trek. “I pushed the climbing party to the core,” Jogi remarked, underscoring the intense training that led up to the ascent. The expedition, she explained, was designed “to empower women,” highlighting the climbers’ “incredible determination and resilience.”
The preparation regimen was grueling. It included scaling Ben Nevis, the tallest mountain in the UK, as well as climbs up Scafell Pike in Cumbria and Yr Wyddfa (Mount Snowdon) in Wales. These efforts were all in preparation for the ultimate challenge: the 13,671ft (4,167m) ascent of Mount Toubkal in the Atlas Mountains.
The journey to the summit began in the dark with only two hours of sleep, as the women embarked on their climb at the end of June. Despite the “intense and challenging experience,” two members of the six-woman team had to turn back. The remaining four battled through fatigue, scorching heat, and altitude sickness to achieve their goal.
The climb was not just a physical challenge but also a charitable endeavor. It raised funds for Z’s Defence Academy, a charity Jogi established six years ago. The academy offers a variety of classes, including courses in well-being, nutrition, and self-defense.
This was not Jogi’s first major climb. In 2021, she summited Mount Kilimanjaro, where she participated in two Guinness World Records for the highest-ever obstacle course and fitness class. Her latest achievement continues to inspire and empower women through the spirit of adventure and resilience.