Soaring Beyond Limits

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‘In this inspiring interview, Safia Hosein, a pioneering helicopter pilot from Trinidad, shares her journey from a rural childhood to becoming the first Trinidadian woman to summit the highest peaks in Antarctica and Europe. She discusses her early fascination with aviation, the challenges of gender bias, and her adventures across the seven continents. Safia emphasizes resilience and the importance of representation for young girls, encouraging them to pursue their dreams despite obstacles. Looking ahead, she aims to continue exploring and inspiring others in aviation and mountaineering.’

Background

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I’m from a rural part of Trinidad where the number of trees outnumber the inhabitants, and my backyard was a dense emerald forest. Besides the family dog and chickens, we reared, red howler monkeys would announce their presence in the loudest most terrifying way. There was also rumoured to be a caiman living in a pond my father had dug and abandoned years ago.

The remoteness, the cover of foliage and naturally fertile soil allowed the area to become the perfect eco system for the cultivation of Marijuana (which was not legal back then). The United States Government would supply helicopters to locate the plants. It seemed they used our rectangle roofed house as a marker (I now know final approach marker) to land in a field nearby. My dad once took me to see them in the field, but I was too shy to leave the car, fascinated and scared by the men in Army uniforms. But I was transfixed by the helicopters gliding across the sky.

Another time I saw a Blackhawk helicopter at the airport on a school outing. I could barely reach over the iron bars welded into the waving gallery, but on tiptoes I remember listening and watching the aircraft start and my little heart beat to the rhythm of the blades. I never thought I could actually be a pilot because I did not think women were allowed to be pilots. I had never seen a female pilot in my life, not even on television. But that changed with a little dash of audacity, a stubborn personality and a huge amount of determination.

Growing up in Trinidad and Tobago, what experiences shaped your adventurous spirit?

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I’m one of those people who was allergic to physical education in school. I would rather read than go outside. Thankfully reading sometimes pushed me to go outside. I read once about marigolds sprouting when gold was sprinkled in a field, so I promptly emptied my piggy bank filled with small change in our front yard.

For years we found five cent and ten cent pieces embedded in the dirt. I climbed and draped our mango tree in scraps of cloth from my mom’s sewing because I read that fairies lived in trees. But it was books about faraway places that fuelled my imagination. Even in my twenties I bought a book about Egypt that had a piece of “mummy cloth” (gauze). I would run my hand over it and vow to visit one day. Also, Anthony Bourdain’s “No Reservations” was a staple in my television diet.

You made history as the first Trinidadian to summit the highest peak in Antarctica. Can you describe that experience?

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There are many instances in life where I ask myself “How is this my life?” Sometimes I’m smiling and sometimes not. Antarctica provided a gigantic smile. Being on the bottom of the world was surreal and as a pilot I was most excited about landing on the ice runway.

The actual climb was gruelling, and I cried in my tent at one point. But the next day I woke up and gave everything I had and reached the summit. There’s a saying in mountaineering “Getting to the summit is optional, going down is mandatory” and I had to constantly check myself and make sure I had enough energy to get down.

But unfolding the flag of Trinidad and Tobago at the summit brought tears to my eyes which I quickly blinked away because I was already dehydrated. I don’t represent the country in any official sporting capacity as we don’t have mountains high enough for mountaineering. But we always say “Anywhere in the world you go, there will always be a Trini” and I was thrilled to help prove that. I also flew a flag with my hometown’s name to hopefully inspire not just mountaineers but anyone with a dream. It doesn’t matter where you come from, you are capable of anything.

What was it like to be the first female Trinidadian to summit the highest peak in Europe? How did you prepare for that challenge?

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This is one of my favorite summits. I prepared with a female coach who put me through the paces with hours of training sessions. Stairmaster, stairs, treadmill, leg and glute strength and upper body sessions. In addition, I had the most amazing guide. He has climbed new routes on Everest and is so accomplished that he has nothing to prove.

I have been on various guided expeditions in groups where they always cut the slowest climbers. People who are not necessarily walking slowly but slower than the fastest person in the group. He was a joy to walk with. I studied the route before I went and nearing the summit my eyes again welled up with tears. It’s an indescribable feeling of achievement, of pushing your body and still feeling strong.

What are some of the most memorable moments from your adventures across the seven continents?

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Africa

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Summiting Mt. Kilimanjaro. My first mountain summit. I had no idea what high altitude trekking involved. In fact, it was my first time sleeping in a tent. My mind got me to the summit when my body was tired.

Trekking on Mt. Nyiragongo in the Democratic Republic of Congo. It’s an active volcano that contains the world’s largest lava lake. Looking down into the caldera lava churns and boils and it’s one of the most beautiful sights. Spent the night at the top in an A frame hut listening to gas explosions and used a toilet with the best view of rolling mountains across DRC and Rwanda.

North America

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Visiting Sequoia National Park. I love trees and seeing the biggest tree in the world made me so happy.

South America

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My husband and I road tripped around Colombia for a month. From making a silver ring with an emerald stone to walking along glaciers, staying in a lodge in the mountains that was constantly enveloped with mist and just driving along well paved roads and spotting towering waterfalls was a magical experience.

Witnessing a whale and her calf shoot out of the ocean in Ecuador.

Oceania

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First skydiving experience in Australia. I had flown from Qatar two days before and was extremely jetlagged. My husband is a solo skydiver, so he was in the airplane with me and even he was concerned as to how calm I was, but I was just really sleepy. Sitting on the side of the airplane with my legs dangling into the air below I expected to feel fear but just went with the flow.

Europe

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My husband (then boyfriend) and I drove around Scotland on our first holiday on a Kawasaki ZZR 1400. I remember leaving my hair loose and getting it so tangled I used almost an entire bottle of conditioner. We visited Loch Ness, a place I had only ever read about and spend days on winding roads flanked by the Highlands.

Witnessing the Northern Lights in Finland.

Standing on Kjeragbolten in Norway, a prehistoric boulder lodged between to rock faces a thousand feet in the air.

Asia

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I have an aversion to big cities but for some inexplainable reason Kathmandu pulls me into its chaos and I feel like I belong there.

Antarctica

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Besides climbing Mt. Vinson, after, we were taken on tours close to camp. I remember sliding along a frozen pond on my backside with the biggest grin on my face.

Can you discuss any significant challenges you faced during your expeditions, and how you overcame them?

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The most incredible experience I had was with a guide who walked at a steady pace, which meant we did not have to stop often. But I’ve had so many experiences especially in groups where they walk to the pace of the fastest person and have no problem dropping the slowest person. If there’s an issue with a weather window or anything safety related that would be understandable. Expeditions can also get lonely and I miss home and my husband a lot. However I recently got an Inreach and it makes things a little more bearable when there’s no wifi.

As a Caribbean woman in a predominantly male field, what message do you hope to send to young girls and women pursuing similar paths?

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In my early years in aviation I put up with verbal threats and once had someone in a senior position kick and punch my locker at work destroying it, when I reported him for bullying. It was one of the reasons I left Trinidad to work overseas. But I “put up” with it instead of pursuing his removal because there was no support system back then.

To young girls, know that you can do and be anything you want. But expect the road to be filled with obstacles of racism, sexism and other bias. Don’t put up with abuse. Document and report it and don’t ever allow anyone to derail you from your ambitions. Always welcome constructive criticism so you can improve.

How do you think your achievements can inspire others in the Caribbean and beyond?

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I would love to inspire people to travel to destinations beyond popular cities. One of my favorite memories is having freshly caught fish from the owner of a tiny rental near a field of sunflowers in Serbia. Neither of us spoke the other’s language but we communicated with google translate and hand signals.

With regard to aviation and mountaineering, I’m not the typical person you see in the cockpit or the mountains, but that doesn’t mean I don’t belong. I don’t succeed at every summit I attempt but I always learn something, either a skill or about myself. It can be awkward to be in spaces where I stand out, either as the only woman or a brown person, but I’ve learnt to accept that if I want something none of that matters.

What are your future goals in your aviation career and your adventures?

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When I was a teenager, I had a very specific plan of getting married, having three kids and living in a house I would draw constantly and decorate in my head. But besides getting married, that plan never materialized and I’m ok with it. I’ve become very flexible with how life unfolds, and I say yes to opportunities. So, I’m open and looking forward to what happens next because there’s always an adventure around the corner.

Are there any specific peaks or adventures you dream of tackling next?

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I would love to complete the seven summits one day, but it requires a lot of time and a lot of money. I have a hard time asking for money as I work for a living, and I think money given to me could easily be given to someone less fortunate. When I asked a few “big brands” for sponsorships it was only open for citizens of North America and Canada. So maybe one day I’ll complete it and if it doesn’t happen that’s ok too. I would love to visit Antarctica again and I’m absolutely obsessed with volcanoes so perhaps trekking some of those is in the cards.

What do you enjoy most about being a helicopter pilot and an adventurer?

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I’ve been a helicopter pilot for over two decades and I still love viewing the earth from above. Sometimes I take flying for granted but then I’ll see a helicopter flying when I’m on the ground and think “YEAH!!! I do that.”

I love visiting new places because it could be the first and last time I’m there. On Kilimanjaro I saw a species of plant that grows only on that mountain, in Guatemala I spent the night on one volcano while watching another volcano erupt in the distance, in Democratic Republic of Congo Silverback Gorillas walked inches from me. All once in a lifetime experiences that I don’t take for granted.

How do you balance the demands of your career with your passion for exploration?

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I used to work six weeks on six weeks off schedule and it was brilliant for balancing both. However now I’m full time and I do find it hard to balance mountaineering with other travel. Best case scenario would be to be paid and have unlimited leave to climb mountains but that’s probably not going to happen