Khaled: Living Legend, Mentor and Father

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Who is Khaled?

Khaled was born in Lebanon, studied medicine in Romania and activated as a doctor in France and in Oman. 24 years ago he moved to Oman as a surgeon dentist and ever since he established himself in the country with his family. He is a passionate explorer, adventurer and self-taught professional in the Omani outdoors. He wrote two books about adventure in this country and this year he showcased Oman at the French Tourism conference with an own produced movie. He had various co-productions with French and UK based televisions, the most recent one done with the world acclaimed adventurers Steve Backshall and Aldo Caine.

Why Father?

I have met Khaled in 2002, in Muscat, during a basketball game we were playing at the school I was teaching at the time. In the following weekend he invited me to go out with his family (his wife, Marta, is Romanian) and ever since I never missed a single opportunity to explore Omani outdoors together. Soon I have became his ‘adopted’ son and I started to naturally call him, Papa and Marta, Mom. Their influence in the years that followed spread on all aspects of my life and it changed me decisively in the person I am today.

Oman Documentary

Why Living Legend?

Along all these years we’ve been together, Khaled’s self-transformation has been absolutely incredible. Starting with simple weekend days spent in the middle of nature with not much of physical effort, to crossing wadis, exploring caves, charting new territories and sharing Oman across the world, is quite an exceptional leap of faith. With every person that joins his trips, reads his articles, watches his movies or even better, interacts directly with him, there is a magical vibe that Khaled spreads around and instills in them. Even birds are confident to lay in his palm! It can’t be explained and I stopped giving it too much thought. The love of nature that the one has when Khaled is around, is simply recommending him as a Living Legend. At least according to my personal criteria. If you have different vibes, write them down in the comments.

Why Mentor?

If you ever walked for hours next to someone, on a lost trail in the middle of the mountains or somewhere in a park, and you felt connected with that person without exchanging a single word, then you might know how it feels. That person can listen to you and you feel comfortable to communicate even the darkest parts of you. You trust this connection with your entire human being and you feel empowered enough to follow this person to a 385 m abseil in the unknown or run in a pitch dark wadi between the boulders, to find and fetch water. Words and explanations are not needed as there’s no need for validation on either side and you just simply feel and act in a natural new mindset, that you’ve never experienced before. This is the moment when you’re becoming, moving to a superior level and you wonder what ‘clicked’ all of this? For me, is Khaled!

In the present, we are still exploring and opening new wadis, under the Scorpio constelation’s shooting stars, while enjoying a nice salad, grilled fish and a fine drink.

Excerpts from Khaled’s books

Curiosity

’The link between medical profession and adventurer perhaps lies in my curiosity. I am open to anything. There is nothing I am not willing to try and do. I believe I have the basic intelligence to identify and solve such problems. For what could be the worst that could happen?’

Sports

‘I have always loved sport thanks to my mother who urged us to try to play various things’.

Mountaineering

I have never been formally trained in caving or mountaineering. All the training I have received is at the hands of my friends, Patrick Cabirot and Natalie Henriot.I believe is far more important to understand how the things work, than to merely ‘learn’ how things work.’

Nature’s Lessons

‘I believe respect and fear are very important values in everything that I do. The adrenaline pumping uncertainty of trying to cross a wadi or to explore a cave or to complete a via feratta for the very first time. There is something eerie about throwing your rope into a black hole and not knowing where you are going, even though you know a rope that is long enough to reach the ground.’

Goal Setting

‘I don’t think is necessary to have a very defined goal at the end of the road, especially when you enjoy something quite so much. Besides, I tend to find the concept of a ‘goal’ very limiting. Once I reach a goal, I must immediately set another one, otherwise I don’t believe you progress. And that is what life is all about, isn’t it?’

Thank you for giving me life and mostly, a new life, Papa! I love you!

Crossing Unkown Boundaries: Wadi Aala

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A team of seven adventurers, led by Khaled Abdul Malak, crossed an unexplored wadi in Oman. In order for this to happen, Khaled did several trips in advance to recognize the terrain, set anchors and spot interesting paths for the nature’s passionates. I was fortunate to explore with Khaled in June and even more excited to be part of a great team that crossed the entire wadi in September: Khaled, Marta, Sally, Nadira, Justin and Robin. Thank you everyone for being passionate and inspiring these two days.

Pietrosul Bistritei – Physical and Mental Training Playground

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Every summer when I return home for holiday, in Romania, there is a powerful nature call that attracts me toward this magic place. As described in this post, hiking this route with Daniel will always tell me how well I am doing physically and mentally. Another reason that Pietrosul is so close to my heart lies in the breathtaking views it has to offer. The earlier we set foot and start our ascent, the better the reward at the top. Last, and the most important is the quality of the people that have the courage to engage in this effort and the meaningful interaction that happens along the way once this ‘natural’ selection occurs.

This year, one of the most experienced canyonerer and climber on the face of the planet, Khaled Abdul Malak, joined us into excitement, pain, conversation, blueberries, perspective and reflection. And what a blast we all three had! You’ve met Khaled in Flight385 – The Adventurous Oman. Having him close to us was just another much needed confirmation that we are on a performance path.

The wild blueberries, organic and gluten-free, rank the highest on my reward list for some years now. I wonder why?

My next adventure is about a defining moment in my life: the longest, toughest and the most painful physical and mental challenge that I willingly subscribed to, paid for and enjoyed in so many ways.

Flight 385 – The Adventurous Oman

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You should fear the smell of the challenge and fight your demons. Without uncertainty you’re still in the comfort zone. I am scared and I fear the failure but I have never been so motivated to look ahead, dream and fight for my goals, and I am so excited to discover the new shapes of life ahead .

Mihai Catrinar
Trail to the abandoned village of Jebel Shams

The Jebel Shams mountains are the most spectacular ones in Oman and their highest point reaches 3009 meters. The drop we have abseiled is named after Khaled’s title that he gained among the most adventurous mountaineers on the face of the planet: Sheikh Al Majaneen drop. The lenght of the drop is 385 meters, with 365 meters of free fall, which makes it the longest abseiled drop in the world. 

With the two books he wrote about Oman, numerous movies and conferences held worldwide, Khaled Abdel Malak is recognised as one of the most famous canyoning experts in the world

Have you ever been on an Airbus 380? Great! Today we are embarking on a special kind of ‘flight’. 

8 years has flown by…

….I am driving to Muscat with fear in my heart, in the dark of the nite and I stop to buy a coffee from an Omani street shop. I make a call to a dear friend and just express how overwhelmed I am. Looking from where I stand now, it is the life changing element that positions me in the fight or flight mode, an eclectic cocktail of hormones that stir my human being in search of a future self. 

After a late arrival in Muscat, I just hook with a movie that surprisingly I haven’t seen yet: The Shawshank Redemption. Is 3 am when I fall asleep and at 5.00 we start driving towards Jebel Shams mountains. The curved and abrupt road warns me that I am in the right mindset, close to the mountains where fear and respect dance an elegant tango. No, is not the tango we know. It has a twist of Omani flavour in it, with rhythm changes that enable you to bring the moves and emotions that speak with loud voice in a stretch of time that welcomes your flow to dominate you, taking everything by surprise. 

The villagers are the last contact before the mountain’s solitude. Khaled makes the kids curious about the life he brings on the mountain, an authentic expression of true connection with the nature. Each trail step is heavy and the eye is taking quick glances at the spot that will constitute our monumental attempt. 

Curiosity is contagious

Khaled scrutinises the arch and from now on is the trust that governs us and leads our foot steps around: the measurement with a non-conventional rope, the manual drill on the ledge of a magnificent view behind us, or the technical moves repeated to obsession in a tree, under the careful supervision of a docile goat. She’s never witnessed such things before, but she knows the environment better than us. She’s curious like us, especially when we brush our teeth before tent time. 

  • Khaled studying the terrain
  • The villagers who helped us to transport all the equipment

The sleep is a ‘mental tunnel’ with neurones firing up and repeating in an obsessive way the pattern of the rope exchange awaiting for us tomorrow. Yes, Khaled mounted two ropes of two hundred meters each and we will have to trans board from one to another mid way of the descent.  We practiced this pattern for the entire afternoon in a tree near the departure point.

The morning is pure concentration in high dosages with only Alessandro’s voice coordinating with our moves through the walkie-talkie. He is the legend that will made this attempt visible for years to come. 

Alessandro Ghidoni – Legend and sometimes photographer

Khaled is the one that opens the road – The Majaneen of adventure and the mentor that transformed my life. Only I know that by the time I write this, he would be the guardian angel that made these words possible to be written. Without hesitation, or fear, black thoughts and innerfight, there is no real challenge. That is, until the drop of craziness kicks in and becomes a game changer. With Khaled on the rope at the beginning of the descent I just say it: “Papa, once you go, I will follow you as our rope for the next five abseils after this one is in my back pack! “

Khaled enters smoothly into the select history of free fall descents, as there’s no human being to accomplish this height until now: 385 meters with two ropes joined together! After the first 20 meters of wall contact I push off and remain suspended on the rope, with the arch in front of me. This moment defines who I am to become for the years ahead. The strong currents of air blow in my face and I have the feeling that I stand on the wings of an airplane with nothing but the solitude and enjoyment of the moment. The Time is gentle with me before the rope spins 180 degree and graciously offers another side of the flight I am embarked on: the full view of one kilometre deep canyon, underneath my feet!

We hug at the bottom of the abseil and the few jelly beans I have are fulfilling the need for sugar. There are a five more abseils ahead, with a beautiful 80 meters one in a green waterfall. We are ‘flying’ over the boulders and we have no idea of how to enjoy this achievement but to maintain focus on each step that we make. 

In December the stones get cold at night and the dark throws us in the night’s mystery. Alessandro joins us in the departure village and we are quickly surrounded by a bunch of children. They gather some branches, tinny ones, and they make an unforgettable fire. All hands pointing towards the flame absorb the heat and put back an intense energy that warms us all with a magic touch. It is the curious touch of life in each and one of us that empowers a life-long quest of becoming humans in the middle of a fascinating Omani Nature. 

Unforgettable Fire

Baalbek – Past From Above

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“History cannot give us a program for the future, but it can give us a fuller understanding of ourselves, and of our common humanity, so that we can better face the future.” – Robert Penn Warren

We lost the track of time in this ancient testimony of a superior civilization. We asked questions that still have no answer after more than two thousand years. How can blocks wheighing more than a tone can be moved and fit to perfection into a harmonious structure?

Submerged in water, destroyed by wars, turned to lime, lost in the sand – what would be left of archaeological sites like Baalbek if wonderful Lebanese people had not preserved this treasure?

Thank you, Khaled Abdel Malak!

High Altitude Handstand Madness

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Before, during and after the training we like to have fun. When tired or not paying attention, we can fall badly because of practicing it and no matter how serious it is, we always laugh. If we are hiking, running, or finishing a 47 km trail race, we still want to do it because is fun. The goal is to complete the 90 km run next year and end up with 10 meters performing this skill when crossing the finish line. Kevin doesn’t know about it, so let him know if you read this before him.

Handstand walking is a skill, an attitude, and sometimes, at high altitude, is madness.

Signing out again: Kevin Abdel Malak and Mihai Catrinar.

Team. Performance. Fun

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We are a team that performed this summer, while having loads of fun in the Hobby section of Marathon 7500. Kevin Abdel Malak was unstoppable on top of Bucegi Mountains and I had only two solutions: to follow his enthusiasm and craziness, most of the times, or to curse him.

TEAM. We listen to each other, share knowledge, information and experience, and we take decisions together. We are part of different cultures, continously striving for improvement and setting personal new heigths. We behave with integrity, positively challenging ourselves and others. We are a team because of the imense spirit we create within.

PERFORMANCE. We set goals, identify resources and start the quest to a higher level. We plan our training and its outcomes. We do not train together. Physically, we can be together only for a few days before the race. With performance, a bigger responsibility triggers and builds good habits that fuel our common goal. Achieving a superior performance is due to our commitment in every aspect of this race preparation.

FUN. With humor and laugther, we appreciate each day and get the best out of it. When we laugh, we relax. When we relax we connect easier emotionally . Humor and playful communication foster positive feelings. When we laugh with one another, a positive bond is created. Too bad we are not on TV, but instead we laughed a lot along the 45-47 km race. Sometimes, we exagerated.

Signing out: Kevin Abdel Malak and Mihai Catrinar.

Bucsoiu – Best Day of Our Holiday

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While spending our time in Bucegi Mountains we had a fabulous day recognizing the running trails shared in the movie Pestera – Omu – Gura Diham – Bucsoiu – Omu – Pestera trail. The movie displays a physical encounter with the mountain and Bucsoiu’s mirage. We were lucky enough to have a specialized guide, Silviu Balan, who shared his tips on how to better enjoy Marathon 7500. Trailing Bucsoiu with Kevin Abdel Malak on such a beautiful weather is a privilege to keep to Nature’s heart and wash your spirit clean. Every mountain top is within reach if you keep climbing!