Albara Muthala tests limits through aerospace engineering and the Seven Summits

Release Date
Headshot of Albara Muthala.

Since childhood, Albara Muthala, who is dual enrolled at HFC and Fordson High School, has been fascinated by space and aviation. This fall, he will pursue his bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor.

Even though Muthala, of Dearborn, comes from a long line of engineers – including his father and grandfather – he isn’t pursuing engineering to uphold family tradition.

“What excites me most is knowing I can create things that change the world!” he explained. “My goal is much bigger. I want to revolutionize the aerospace industry, push the limits of innovation, and use technology to solve the major issues facing our world – whether they are environmental, political, or economic. I want to create real and lasting change that helps people in need and makes the world a better place because of the work I do. I want to create technologies that prevent conflict, solve global issues, and help make the world a better place. That mission drives everything I do.”

The Seven Summits: a test of endurance, skill, and grit

A photo of mountaineer Nirmal Purja atop K2, the world’s second-highest mountain on the border between Pakistan and China, inspired Muthala to take up the sport.

“That image struck something deep inside. I wanted to be in that place too, standing on the edge of the world, surrounded by God's most beautiful and dangerous creations. As I watched more videos and read about it, I fell in love with mountaineering,” he said. “I discovered a new world where physical and mental limits are tested at every turn. And now, I can’t wait for this summer when I’ll finally step into the world I’ve been dreaming about and planning for all this time.”

This summer, Muthala will compete in the Seven Summits Challenge in Washington. He’ll attempt to climb Washington’s seven highest peaks – Mount Baker, Glacier Peak, Bonanza Peak, Mount Stuart, Little Tahoma, Mount Rainier, and Mount Adams – in just under seven days.

“Overall, the biggest challenge won’t be the climbs themselves, but the logistics and travel between mountains,” he explained. “First, I’ll take a 6-day advanced mountaineering course with Alpine Ascents International on Mt. Baker August 10-15. If the group is ready, we’ll attempt a summit during the course. After the course ends, I will return to the base of Mt. Baker on August 16 and will officially begin my solo journey. I plan to finish by August 22. To complete this within a week, I’ll need to push my physical and mental limits to the absolute maximum.”

“A space where I could grow as a student and as a person”

Muthala is the second of six siblings. A native of Yemen, his family moved to California when he was 6 and to Michigan when he was 12. He speaks fluent English and Arabic. Once Muthala graduates from Fordson in June, he will have earned 37 credits at HFC.

“I saw dual enrollment as a way to mature faster and experience college while still in high school. HFC gave me more than I expected: It shaped me and helped me grow mentally. The faculty, students, and opportunities became the beginning of my journey into higher education, and it’s an experience I’ll always value and appreciate,” he said.

“The academic opportunities were amazing, but the community is what made it special. I love learning from people of all backgrounds. HFC created a space where I could grow not just as a student, but as a person.”

Two classes that left an impression on him were Introduction to Engineering taught by Dr. Hassan Mohseni Nameghi and Principles of General and Inorganic Chemistry taught by Dr. Fadia Cudry.

“Dr. Nameghi is an incredible professor who opened doors and connections. Dr. Cudry truly connects with students on a personal level and deeply cares about their growth. Her class has been one of the best experiences of this academic year,” he said. “My classmates and professors make HFC feel like a true community. I remember walking into my first ever college engineering class and felt completely out of place. It felt so different from high school, but I quickly realized everyone was there to learn and grow, just like me. That shift helped me grow mentally and emotionally.”

“Throughout my interactions with Albara, I have been continually impressed by his critical thinking skills and positive attitude,” said Cudry. “He knows how to find answers and reach out to the right people when faced with challenges. He always arrives on time, comes prepared, and is ready to engage with his peers, consistently bringing insightful discussions to class that enrich our learning environment. His compassion toward others and his high level of maturity mark him as an accomplished student and an inspiring person who brings out the best in those around him.”

More mature, focused, driven

Muthala has been an active member of HFC’s Engineering Club. Alongside fellow pre-engineering students, he has worked on the club’s ongoing self-driving electric go-kart project.

“This was my first large-scale, college-level engineering project. I got involved after classmate Hassan Berry mentioned it during our engineering class. He noticed how passionate I was about electrical systems and invited me to join the project. The idea of building an autonomous go-kart made my heart race! I worked on the electrical components, helping transform a bare metal frame into an almost functional vehicle. It’s sad that I won’t be able to complete it, but I hope the work will continue.”

The most valuable lesson Muthala learned on the go-kart project was the difference between conceptual engineering and real-world problem-solving.

“It gave me a taste of the future I want to be part of: Working on advanced technology and impactful research!” said Muthala. “From hours of troubleshooting, wiring issues, framework measurements, and staying late after work to keep making progress, I grew. It built my discipline and taught me how engineers really think. It shaped me into a more mature, focused, and driven person.”

Nameghi agreed.

“Albara truly stands out as one of the promising students. He’s tackled real-world challenges with creativity and care,” said Nameghi. “He also played a key role in the go-kart project, designing the electrical system and guiding the team through hands-on implementation. I’m proud to see him continue his journey at U-M.”

Dream bigger, push farther, change the world

While mountain-climbing in Washington will be hard, perhaps Muthala’s greatest challenge was battling osteoarthritis. He initially developed symptoms of osteoarthritis in 8th grade, particularly in his right knee. For three years, he managed the pain quietly. By 11th grade, the pain became unbearable. That prompted him to see the doctor.

“Hearing that news felt like being placed on a ticking time bomb, knowing I had a lifelong condition that would limit me physically. But instead of giving in, I used it as fuel. I built discipline and motivation from the fact that my body had limits – and I’ve pushed myself every day to defy those limits and chase my goals anyway!” he said. “Today, despite having osteoarthritis, I am able to go rock-climbing and run 10 miles in a single session. It’s become a constant source of motivation and inspiration for me. Every time I push through, it reminds me how far I’ve come – and it’s an amazing feeling to turn what could have been a setback into one of my greatest strengths!”

Since 10th grade, Muthala has been training, studying, and preparing in every way he can to take on these expeditions and journeys. His training regime is built on four pillars:

  • Endurance: He runs 6–10 miles and trains with heavy packs to simulate the physical demands of long climbs. He also swims 5–6,000 meters at a time to build full-body stamina. Every session, Muthala pushes himself to the limit to prepare for the brutal toughness required in the mountains.
  • Strength: Muthala focuses on functional power through weighted carries, step-ups, and core workouts, building the strength needed to handle steep ascents and heavy gear over long distances.
  • Technical Skills: Muthala has studied every essential mountaineering tool – ice axes, ropes, crampons – and practiced their real-world applications, including rappelling, self-arrest, and crevasse rescue. He also works heavily on mountain navigation and situational awareness, training himself to make smart, fast decisions under pressure. He constantly studies the techniques of the world’s top climbers to model his skills after the best.
  • Mental Toughness: Using Michigan’s unpredictable weather as his training ground has sharpened Muthala’s mindset. By exposing himself to extreme conditions, he can build the mental resilience needed to survive and perform in extreme alpine environments.

“That’s why this summer – when I turn 18 – I’ll finally be heading to Washington to climb, officially stepping into the world of real mountaineering for the first time,” said Muthala. “I aim to become one of the greatest mountaineers and alpinists of all time, pushing the limits, taking on the most legendary climbs ever attempted, and inspiring others through the journey.”

He continued: “Alongside these goals, I am building a brand that will combine both sides of my mission: Advancing aerospace innovation and pioneering legendary expeditions in mountaineering. I hope to inspire the next generation to dream bigger, push farther, and change the world!”

To document his path and inspire others, Albara has launched a personal brand called “AeroAlpinist,” where he shares his mission to combine cutting-edge aerospace engineering with elite-level mountaineering.

You can follow AeroAlpinist on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube, where Albara will share expedition vlogs, documentaries, cinematic views, and the toughest moments from his climbs – all with the goal of motivating others to chase greatness in their own lives.

“This is just the beginning,” he said. “By the end of the year or even by the end of this summer, time will tell. I hope to have created a powerful collection of content that shares not just what I’m doing, but why I’m doing it: To inspire people from all walks of life to believe in something greater, to overcome their own challenges, and to realize that with purpose and persistence, even the impossible becomes possible.”