Standing at the top of Uhuru Peak, I broke down in tears; a mixture of emotions from pure exhaustion to sheer happiness. I hugged Evans, my guide, and expressed my gratitude for him pushing me (or rather dragging me) to the top. I was humbled. You see, when I set the intention to climb Kilimanjaro I knew it would be challenging, but I was pretty confident that I could make it to the top. After all, I’ve always been a tough cookie. If I set my mind to do something I have always completed it no matter how hard. Whether it was climbing Mt Fuji, trekking the Inca Trail, backpacking Patagonia, running the Tough Mudder (and getting electrocuted) or a marathon, I’ve always toughed it out. So why should Mount Kilimanjaro’s 19,341 feet be any different? Continue Reading…
Each year, nearly 40,000 people (and growing) attempt to climb Africa’s highest mountain: Kilimanjaro. Only about half successfully reach the summit of this iconic peak at 5,895 meters (19,341 feet). Before embarking on such a journey, it is critical to be prepared with the right gear, but knowing what you need to survive can be daunting. As I prepared for my own trip, I found a multitude of tips and lists, but none that were all encompassing. I had to piece together the puzzle from the variety of resources. If you are wondering, “Where do I even begin?” then you’ve come to the right place. The recommendations and tips below are broken into sections based on gear for each body part and then equipment needed from general climbing gear to personal toiletries. Enjoy and happy climbing! Continue Reading…
I was 13 years old visiting the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History when I fell in love. “Africa: The Serengeti” (released in 1994) was being featured at the museum. I was immediately mesmerized by the gorgeous aerial views of the endless plains, the interactions of the African wildlife, and of course, learning about the greatest migration of land animals in the world. Making it to the Serengeti became a dream for me right then.
Nearly two decades later, I coerced convinced my husband to make Tanzania our next travel destination. There are so many things to do and places to see in Tanzania–climb Kilimanjaro or Mt. Meru, go on a safari, relax on Zanzibar—-but with limited vacation days we had to stick to our (my) priorities. And making my way to the Serengeti was at the top of the list! Continue Reading…