Kilimanjaro!

rankinsect
rankinsect Posts: 2,238 Member
edited November 2024 in Success Stories
Last week Sunday, I achieved one of my long-term goals, something that seemed impossible two years ago when I was morbidly obese - I reached Uhuru Peak, the highest point on the crater rim of Kibo, tallest of Kilimanjaro's three volcanic peaks and the highest point on the continent of Africa!

I've got more details on my MFP blog, but here are some photo highlights:

Myself, my friend and climbing partner, and our guides and porters (not including our chief guide who took the photo)
IMG_1243.jpg

Kibo after a fresh snowfall. This photo was taken at about halfway up Kilimanjaro.
IMG_1366.jpg

Sunrise over the crater rim
IMG_1416.jpg

My friend and I at Uhuru Peak, the Roof of Africa
IMG_1443.jpg

Looking out from Uhuru Peak, with a glacier and Mount Meru in the background (Meru is about 50 miles away, for scale)
IMG_1453.jpg

Receiving my summit certificate at the end of the journey
IMG_1472.jpg
«1

Replies

  • L1zardQueen
    L1zardQueen Posts: 8,753 Member
    Amazing! Thanks for sharing!
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    Awesome...I'd like to do that. I'll be in Tanzania over next Christmas but we'll be on various safaris for the duration of the trip...Kilimanjaro would be awesome.
  • RuNaRoUnDaFiEld
    RuNaRoUnDaFiEld Posts: 5,864 Member
    Wow that is awesome.
  • Jruzer
    Jruzer Posts: 3,501 Member
    That's great! Thanks for sharing!
  • rankinsect
    rankinsect Posts: 2,238 Member
    cwolfman13 wrote: »
    Awesome...I'd like to do that. I'll be in Tanzania over next Christmas but we'll be on various safaris for the duration of the trip...Kilimanjaro would be awesome.

    Ah, I would have liked to do more safari stuff but had to settle for a one-day trip to Tarangire national park. It would have been cool to get out to the Serengeti but wasn't going to fit with the rest of the trip. Even my one-day mini-safari was great, though, I am sure you're thoroughly enjoy a long safari as well!
  • Madux1818
    Madux1818 Posts: 307 Member
    Awesome! Beautiful photos as well.
  • kathakraz
    kathakraz Posts: 65 Member
    I remember reading at some point that was your goal. Congratulations! That's awesome!
  • MudstainSally
    MudstainSally Posts: 571 Member
    That's amazing!
  • GemstoneofHeart
    GemstoneofHeart Posts: 865 Member
    WOW! What a cool experience!
  • SierraFatToSkinny
    SierraFatToSkinny Posts: 463 Member
    How long did it take you?
  • middlehaitch
    middlehaitch Posts: 8,486 Member
    <3<3<3 Hooray, woohoo, jumping up and down clapping my hands. That is to say- I am so glad you have accomplished this goal.

    I have been wondering where you were; and now I know- living your dream.

    You are looking fantastic too.

    I am so very very happy for you.

    Cheers, h.
    The photos are breathtaking. Thanks for the blog link too.
  • kasaz
    kasaz Posts: 274 Member
    Congratulations What a great accomplishment.
  • 3rdof7sisters
    3rdof7sisters Posts: 486 Member
    Wow! Really fantastic! Congratulations on your accomplishment!
  • Landofkim
    Landofkim Posts: 89 Member
    You are living the life you were meant to! What's next? Thanks for sharing your joy!
  • lilawolf
    lilawolf Posts: 1,690 Member
    Damnit....now I have yet another thing on my to-do list. Now....Do I do it THIS summer or package it up with the white water rafting trip I want to do in the Atlas mountains on my sabbatical in a couple years? (http://www.waterbynature.com/morocco/hidden-morocco-rafting.html)

    Anyway, looking forward to reading your blog! WAY TO GO! Pushing yourself, doing something amazing and out of your comfort zone...all of it. Do you have a before pic that youre willing to share?
  • Madwife2009
    Madwife2009 Posts: 1,369 Member
    Wow, this is fabulous. I would love to do something like this; I'll have to add it to my bucket list.

    Amazing stuff. Well done you :)
  • khoj
    khoj Posts: 19 Member
    Amazing! What is next? Everest base camp?
  • rankinsect
    rankinsect Posts: 2,238 Member
    khoj wrote: »
    Amazing! What is next? Everest base camp?

    I think my next adventure will be a scuba dive :smile: I don't have plans yet for another mountain but I would like to do some trekking in the Pacific Northwest, and maybe sometime do one of the treks to Machu Picchu.
  • deluxmary2000
    deluxmary2000 Posts: 981 Member
    Awesome - congrats! I'm planning a trek in early 2019. What did you do to "train"?
  • rankinsect
    rankinsect Posts: 2,238 Member
    deluxmary2000 wrote: »
    Awesome - congrats! I'm planning a trek in early 2019. What did you do to "train"?

    The main thing I focused on was hiking every weekend, until I got to the point where I could do at 10-12 miles of hiking on both Saturday and Sunday without feeling sore afterwards. That was sufficient for me to not experience any muscle soreness except after summit day (which was a very long night & day). I'd recommend doing this in as close to accurate conditions as you can - carry a full day pack with ~20 lb of weight, use the poles and boots you intend to bring, etc.

    I also did high intensity cardio. Since your heart and lungs need to work a lot harder to get oxygen to your muscles, being in good shape here is really beneficial. I mainly did HIIT on an exercise bike, but that was just what was available to me and easy - anything that helps boost cardiopulmonary fitness is great.

    Beyond that, you'll want to go to a travel clinic, and get a prescription for diamox (acetazolamide), in addition to the vaccinations and general-purpose medications. It helps your kidneys in regulating blood pH in spite of hyperventilation, and it speeds up the natural process for shorter-term acclimatization to oxygen deprivation.
  • CorneliusPhoton
    CorneliusPhoton Posts: 965 Member
    Congratulations!!!
  • courtneyfabulous
    courtneyfabulous Posts: 1,863 Member
    Wow that's amazing!! Most inspiring thing I've seen today!

    Have you seen the documentary about Meru? Pretty interesting.
  • VintageFeline
    VintageFeline Posts: 6,771 Member
    This is amazing, much respect to you.
  • deluxmary2000
    deluxmary2000 Posts: 981 Member
    rankinsect wrote: »
    deluxmary2000 wrote: »
    Awesome - congrats! I'm planning a trek in early 2019. What did you do to "train"?

    The main thing I focused on was hiking every weekend, until I got to the point where I could do at 10-12 miles of hiking on both Saturday and Sunday without feeling sore afterwards. That was sufficient for me to not experience any muscle soreness except after summit day (which was a very long night & day). I'd recommend doing this in as close to accurate conditions as you can - carry a full day pack with ~20 lb of weight, use the poles and boots you intend to bring, etc.

    I also did high intensity cardio. Since your heart and lungs need to work a lot harder to get oxygen to your muscles, being in good shape here is really beneficial. I mainly did HIIT on an exercise bike, but that was just what was available to me and easy - anything that helps boost cardiopulmonary fitness is great.

    Beyond that, you'll want to go to a travel clinic, and get a prescription for diamox (acetazolamide), in addition to the vaccinations and general-purpose medications. It helps your kidneys in regulating blood pH in spite of hyperventilation, and it speeds up the natural process for shorter-term acclimatization to oxygen deprivation.

    Thanks so much!!
  • suruda
    suruda Posts: 1,233 Member
    This is totally a life goal for my husband and I! I was in Tanzania for my 50th birthday 2 years ago for 10 days and never even saw the mountain! BUT I did encounter many people who had gone up it. I'm going back for my husbands 65th in 4 years to climb it. Can't wait! So cool that you did it!
  • suruda
    suruda Posts: 1,233 Member
    Oh and....on our 7 day safari, we did see all of the animals in Tarangira that we saw in the Serengeti, the Crater and the other cool places we went. I was thinking if I took my husband back in a few years, we would do exactly the trip you did, climb Kilamanjaro and then spend a day or two in Tarangira. It's awesome there!
  • ABabilonia
    ABabilonia Posts: 622 Member
    Congratulations, your story is very inspirational.
  • girlwithcurls2
    girlwithcurls2 Posts: 2,282 Member
    That is awesome, and inspiring!! I love hearing about people who are living the lives they want to live. Just freaking awesome. Thanks for sharing your adventure, and happy trails (or snorkel--scuba?) on the next!
  • kgb6days
    kgb6days Posts: 880 Member
    What an amazing life changing journey you've been on! Thank you for sharing it
This discussion has been closed.

Categories

Do you Love MyFitnessPal? Have you crushed a goal or improved your life through better nutrition using MyFitnessPal?
Share your success and inspire others. Leave us a review on Apple Or Google Play stores!