First Lebanese woman to scale Everest joins Beirut protesters

Fatima Deryan backs demonstrations and says activism is fundamental

Dubai resident Fatima Deryan, pictured in training to climb Everest. Anna Nielsen.

The first Lebanese woman to scale Mount Everest says she has returned to Beirut to join the ranks of hundreds of thousands of protesters in Lebanon pushing for economic and political reform in the country.

Fatima Deryan, 26, said that although she has been living and working in the United Arab Emirates for many years, the recent show of unity in Lebanon inspired her to return to Beirut.

“I felt that Lebanese pride and decided to go,” she said. “It’s time to act.”

Deryan added that she considers herself lucky to be experiencing what she described as global movement.

“People around the world are rising to claim their rights and ask for a better standard of living, and so is Lebanon.”

The seemingly indefatigable mountaineer who usually fills her Instagram feed with her latest outdoor climbing endeavours has now started to share her experiences taking part in the Beirut demonstrations.

She also makes sure to document lulls in the protests, showing the many demonstrators making it a point to clean up the city during self-governing clean-up sessions in the streets.

“Not only are the people protesting, they’re also creating environmental awareness,” she said in an email.

Deryan, who is well known for her mountaineering prowess and historic Everest climb, said it was important because small actions can help “tip the scale”.

“Every person can envision and co-create a better future,” she wrote. “If you cannot physically support, you have the option to do so through social media or other mediums that will raise your voice.”

The demonstrations in Lebanon are now entering their second week.

Lebanese President Michel Aoun addressed the country on Thursday and vowed to root out corruption, but those promises have been met with much sceptisim and have yet to quell the protests.