As founder and directress of the UAE Trekkers, Amy Subaey has been trekking and trail running for quite a while, we ask about the story behind her trekking career…
For how many years have you been trekking? What inspired you to start trekking?
I grew up in Minnesota and ran cross country in high school. Trail running is essentially the same as hiking, you just go faster! Inspiration, however, comes from nature and a love for the great outdoors and it all inspires me: the ocean, the mountains, the desert. Whatever environment I am living in, I adapt to whatever outdoor activity I can find. While I was living in Egypt, I didn’t trek or even run at all, but went diving in the Red Sea at every opportunity. I’ve been really enjoying the mountains in th region since I moved here in 2003.
Which treks have you undertaken in the UAE and Oman?
There are some popular treks here in the UAE and Oman, and I’ve done most of them, but also have done many trails that we have named ourselves. We’ve named two treks in Hatta and one in Jebel Yibir. There are so many trails to follow, even on the same mountain, so even if we go to Wadi Shah, for example, we will take a different route each time. This is also part of the fun, there is always a new and amazing view to discover.
How is trekking different in this part of the world as compared to your treks elsewhere?
Trekking in the UAE and Oman is quite different than in other parts of the world. In the United States, we have miles of well-marked hiking trails, accessible and easy to follow maps, and the security and confidence inspired by a system of professional park rangers and mountain rescue services. The definition of hiking is where there is a predefined path, and you generally go out for a few hours on a weekend. But there is no culture of hiking in the UAE or Oman yet so everything we do here is really considered “trekking”, meaning it requires self-navigation, longer, steeper climbs for much longer periods of time on “trails” which don’t actually have a start or end point and crisscross for miles in many directions. These trails are also very rocky, slippery and steep, requiring sure footing and confidence. Though most people would say the obvious difference of trekking here is the extreme heat, there are other weather issues that are less obvious. Storms move in very quickly at all times of the year and cause flooding. At night, it also gets pretty cold and that catches people off guard.
What level of difficulties have you worked on in trekking?
This is really the difference between hiking and trekking; hiking is relatively easier and usually means a shorter trail. Trekking describes harder, longer and steeper paths or journeys in more challenging environs. One of our goals in the UAE Trekkers is actually to find more accessible “hiking” trails so that we can entice more people and families to get outside and enjoy the sport and work up to “trekking”. But it is really tough to find easy hiking trails here. We will happily continue our search though.
Which has been your favourite trek to date?
In the UAE, my favorite trek has been Wadi Shah in Ras al Khaimah.Wadi Shah is in front of Jebel Jais; the highest point in the UAE has a stunning landscape. The trail is actually pretty easy to follow, and has a variety of different terrains; the first part is scrambling over big boulders for about an hour, then a steep incline with lots of old terraced farms between rewarding views. In Oman, my favorite hike is the short and sweet Jebel Qatar, which is just over the border in Buraimi. It’s easy to reach and also has lots of variety in the terrain.
How does it feel to lead a group like UAE Trekkers?
Leading the UAE trekkers is exciting and very rewarding, and a good match for my teaching background and love of the outdoors and trekking and mountaineering. I hope that I inspire people to escape the weekend lure of shopping malls and brunches to challenge themselves, so they can go back to work on Sunday having had a real adventure. It’s exciting because I get to watch people that are new to the country, who thought they were just coming to a desert, be blown away with surprise when they see this playground of beautiful, rugged mountains at their doorstep. Adventures together create lasting friendships, after all!
What kind of physical training do you undergo for your treks?
I run a stairs stadium training session every Tuesday at the TrainYas as well as some Friday morning interval sessions at Ski Dubai (going up the hill). I’m also a runner, but the last few months I’ve done primal workouts and have really enjoyed that.
Do you think there are any specific skills required for trekking? If yes, what are these?
The most important “skill” I suppose is outdoor common sense. The first rule in mountaineering is that getting down safe is the true summit. You have to know where you are going, what you are going to need to be safe and how you are going to communicate with each other and what you are going to do in an emergency.
Any tips for fellow trekkers?
Don’t just rely on GPS coordinates and waypoints. Go in the company of an experienced trekker. Don’t skimp on your water consumption. If you can’t carry your water, you’re not fit enough for the trek. Get to Adventure HQ and buy some proper hiking shoes and get yourself some first aid training.
Any treks on your wish list?
We are very interested to explore new treks in UAE and Oman that nobody has done before. Scouting a new route is really exciting, so I am looking forward to that. Trekking in UAE and Oman is the first step into the world of mountaineering, so once you fall in love with trekking and everything that comes with it, you have a natural desire to climb something higher and push yourself even further. I would like to continue to explore higher altitude peaks and plan to get to Aconcagua and Denali next year, with the ultimate goal to complete all the seven highest summits on all seven continents.
Interview By: Bandana Jain
Photos supplied by: Amy Subaey
