A US-based Gambian, Siaka Fadera has claimed that he is the first Gambian to climb Mount Whitney - the highest mountain in the contiguous United States, with an elevation of 14,505 feet (4,421 m).

"Based on my limited research, I am the first Gambian to hike Mount Whitney. But I would be happy to find out if someone had done it before July 4, 2024," said Siaka.

A PhD candidate in Biomedical Engineering at Washington University in St. Louis, Siaka disclosed that he is a huge admirer of nature, especially the mountains.

He revealed: "I have hiked beautiful mountains on four continents so far (Africa, Asia, Europe and North America). My near goal is to hike Mountain Kilimanjaro before completing my PhD.”

Siaka added that he also wants to become the first West African to climb Mountain Everest, which is the tallest mountain in the world. 

"I love to hike because it provides a lot of benefits that unfortunately a lot of our people do not understand yet," he said.