If selected to move on to the competitions’s second phase, which involves intense character and endurance testing, Samra will travel in a “highly advanced and fully reusable aircraft developed by the Space Expedition Corporation (Space DC).” Buzz Aldrin will be at the helm.

Once slated to live a life as a boring (but rich) banking executive, Samra opted instead to follow his dreams. He threw off the corporate shackles and embraced life as a professional mountaineer.

In addition to exploring the edges of his own limits on mountaintops from South America to Africa, Samra has helped scores of other people do the same through his business.

“I’ve always been fascinated with pushing the mental and physical envelope and been inspired by tales of people who have done so,” he told Green Prophet in a recent email exchancge.

“I firmly believe that the spirit of pushing our boundaries and imagination are the single biggest catalysts behind human advancements and I would love to play a small part in that.”

Now he has a chance to go where no other Egyptian has gone before: to space.

LYNX scours talent from around the world before selecting a small group of winners who will be sent to space on a fully reusable XCOR Lynx (Space XC) said Samra.

Before they can fly, however, contestants are expected to reach the second round of the competition through a rigorous endurance test that measures each person’s physical and emotional reaction to the extreme conditions of space travel.

“I would be honored to represent my country in such a challenging pursuit and use this as a platform to inspire,” Samra continued.

“On the flight itself at T+60 seconds we will break the sound barrier then once an altitude of 60Km is reached, parabolic flight begins during which we experience a period of weightlessness. Then on the way down we experience strong G Force as we rapidly pick up speed and recross the earth atmosphere. The Lynx flight ends with us gliding back to earth and landing at the space port,” he added.

After the second stage of the competition is complete, the final flight may take place as soon as 2014 though those dates have not been officially announced yet.

“Once I make it to Orlando, I believe that my extensive expedition experience will allow me to cope well with the mental and physical challenges they will put us through and the rigors of outer space, which means a higher chance of selection,” said Samra.

While this might seem like one man’s mission to add a list of firsts to his legacy, Samra considers himself to be a role model for other Egyptians at a time when the country is experiencing such turmoil.

“I will do my utmost through social media and every tool at my disposal to make sure that everyone supporting me will get a chance to follow the journey every step of the way,” he said.

“With the unfortunate news coming out of Egypt at the moment,” he aded, “I believe that this undertaking will help boost our morale and set an example of what Egypt and Egyptians are capable of.”

Samra’s training is well underway. Now he just needs some votes. Visit the LYNX Space Academy page if you want to help send this inspiring man to space.

The post Vote to Send the First Egyptian to Space! appeared first on Green Prophet.

When Omar Samra isn’t running one of the few genuinely eco-friendly and socially responsible tourism outfits in Egypt called Wild Guanabana, he climbs mountains. Big ones. He was the first Egyptian to summit Mt. Everest in 2007 and by the end of 2012, if he secures the necessary sponsorships, he will also be the first from his country to reach the top of the world’s seven highest peaks – including the formidable Mt. McKinley in Alaska. If you’re aren’t already impressed by the man who graduated from the London School of Business but eschewed a life of high finance life for something more soulful, maybe this will help: all of Samra’s journeys are carbon neutral.

The last of seven

Hoda Baraka from Egypt Independent, the artist who brought the colorful wonders of Nubian life to the attention of greater Egypt, reports that Samra is currently seeking sponsorships for the last of the seven peaks in North America.

He reached the top of Mt. Vinson Massif in Antarctica in January last year, and the highest peak in South America, the 22,841 foot Mt. Aconcagua the year before that.

In 2009, Samra climbied to the top of Indonesia’s Carstensz Pyramid and in 2008, a busy year for the tireless entrepreneur, he completed both Mt. Elbows in Russia and Tanzania’s famous white-tipped Mt. Kilimanjaro.

Climate change in high places

Throughout his journey, however, Samra has been attuned to the effects that climate change is having on the pristine environments that he has so successfully conquered. Kilimanjaro, for example, has been losing its icy tip as a result of higher temperatures and scientists say its only a matter of time before it disappears altogether.

And officials who run Denali National Park in Alaska, of which the 20,320 foot Mt. McKinley is a central feature, has limited traffic to just 1500 climbers a year in order to prevent widespread environmental destruction of the majestic mountain.

“What we do is calculate the carbon emissions resulting from the expedition itself, which include flights, power consumed, transport and accommodation and this gives us the total amount of CO2 emissions,” Samra told Egypt Independent.

Carbon credits

And then when they have purchased enough credits from the market to offset their emissions, the credits are retired and a certificate is issued that declares the expedition carbon neutral.

Although many environmentalists see carbon credits as another way to justify excess consumption, Samra hopes that his carbon trades will support existing and encourage more green projects throughout the world.

Partnering with Dubai-based “Advanced Global Trading,” the publicly-visible adventurer believes he is spreading an important environmental message.

He is the second true adventurer with ties to the Middle East and North Africa region whose personal goals intersect the greater environmental good. The first – David de Rothschild – built a boat out of plastic and sailed it across the Pacific.

In the meantime, Samra hopes to eventually join an elite club of roughly 25 people around the world who complete the “Grand Slam,” which includes submitting the 7 highest peaks on each continent, which is well within his reach with just one mountain to go, and skiing to both the North and South poles.

:: Egypt Independent

images via Omar Samra’s personal Facebook page

More on travel and nature in the Middle East:

Balyolu: Turkey’s First Honey-Tasting Tour

Is Troubled Egypt Ripe Enough for Eco-Tourism?

David de Rothschild Talks Adventure and Plastic With Green Prophet

The post Egypt’s Hottest Mountain Climber Goes Carbon-Neutral appeared first on Green Prophet.