Living in the clouds

There is a unique type of thrill that accompanies preparing to descend into the vast, rugged expanse of Soudah’s mountains. Towering at over 3,000 meters (9,850 feet), Soudah’s high altitudes provide a breathtaking backdrop of greenery, as well as sweeping views of the Arabian Peninsula’s highest peaks–perfect for the adventurous soul. Here we witness the beginning of a dance that combines the thrill of abseiling with the serenity of nature’s unadulterated beauty.

Abdulbari Al Abdullah is one of Soudah’s most prolific thrill seekers. A man born in the mountains, he is a pilot, paragliding specialist, and an abseiler, guiding visitors to experience the rolling green peaks from his perspective—whether that’s gliding through the clouds, or rappelling down the mountainside.

Even in dense fog, paragliding from these heights provides views as striking as the spirited personalities taking flight. Taking the phrase “living life on the edge” to new heights, Abdulbari regularly stares down cliff faces before he bounds off them, gliding into the valleys. “It’s the most beautiful thing,” says Abdulbari of paragliding, “when I feel my energy go down, I come here to fly.”

Three champions from the same family, Fawaz (left), Fayez (middle) and Ali (right) Asiri pose with their medals at their ancestral home in the village of Rijal Almaa. The family owes its success to the training grounds of Soudah’s soil. This is where Ali still remembers playing within its mud brick walls when he was five years old, his memories eternal. “My dream is to become a professional athlete like my father. I run to feel good.” says Fayez.

“My sons are like my friends, we are equals.” After donning athletic gear and a light stretch, Ali and his son Fayez embark on their typical run. It’s a time to train, to decompress and to bond. Now a father of nine, Ali won his first marathon in 1985 and has since been encouraging his children to follow his lead. These mountains and cliff faces raised him, and now they raise his children to become true athletes.

A few years ago, Fawaz Asiri launched a cycling club called “Al Shabab,” which has risen in rank and prestige to become one of the best in the country. The club consists of younger cyclists, including teenagers, who are all as equally ready to learn as they are to win. Determined to inspire a new generation of professional athletes, some of Fawaz’s trainees are now competing in the national teams of Saudi Arabia.

One of the most beautiful areas of Soudah Peaks is Sabrah, from where a road with a stunning series of hairpin bends leads down the mountain and on towards Mabarah.

For generations, Soudah’s locals have made their home among its terraced slopes, the unique topography creating the conditions for a particularly unique way of living. Wadi Hiswah (Hiswah Valley) is nestled between the foothills and the peak of Al Soudah Mountain, where the climate creates excellent conditions for producing coffee and honey.

Soudah, nestled in the Asir region of Saudi Arabia, inspires an adventurous way of life that rubs off on all who visit. Being perched atop the highest peaks in the kingdom, the landscape is bright and verdant, a stark contrast to the arid desert that defines much of the country. Adventurers, drawn to its rugged terrain and high altitudes, find in Soudah both a challenge and a sanctuary–this is particularly true for Soudah’s local athletes. Whether for reflection, exploration, or for just crisp, clear air, Soudah’s allure is universal, and the way of life it encourages is unlike anywhere else on Earth.