Kilimanjaro 2015

All members of the small expedition of the 7 Summits Club made a successful ascent to the highest peak of Kilimanjaro massif - Uhuru Peak. March 26 it was made by Vasily Petrov and Artem Sawin, next day, March 27 – by Andrey Strunilin. All of them climbed the Machame route. Everything went perfectly, without problems.

Vasily and Artem had managed to take part in a tour on the mine of tanzanite and already came to Russia. Andrey was leaving today on a tour of Arusha, after which in the evening he will fly home.

... .. We went to a tanzanit mine to be witness the difficult and dangerous process of extraction of precious stones.

Marina Nagel (Germany) and Gennady Puzankevich (Belarus) climbed up to the Uhuru Peak, the highest peak in Africa, Kilimanjaro massif, on the program of 7 Summits Club. Natalia Lavretzkay also was with them in the expedition, but she did not reach the top. The usual route, but it was not quite normal ascent. The fact is that Gennady did it in slippers on his bare feet. Not for the sake of records, not to impress someone. He always walks barefoot and followed his tradition on Kilimanjaro. Mountain shoes were in a backpack.

Gennady Puzankevich – in general, is an outstanding person, with a unique profession - he taxidermist makes stuffed animals. But the main thing - the whole way of his life on nature and his own style in all...

Belarussian taxidermist Gennady Puzankevich lives in his house in the town of Zhodino, some 50 km (31 miles) east of Minsk, Gennady, one of the most well-known taxidermist in Belarus, has produced some 7000 birds and animals for domestic and international clients during his 40 year-long career. His private collection numbers some 250 birds and animals.

Valery Rozov headed to Africa’s highest mountain to open

a new BASE exit – and not an easy one.

http://www.redbull.com/

When it comes to aerial adventures, there are few athletes as accomplished as the Russian Valery Rozov. A champion climber, skydiver and wingsuit flyer, he's been pushing the boundaries of possibility for over two decades. Aged 50, he's still going strong and is just back from making the first BASE jump from Kilimanjaro – and it required an exit point that some might call 'challenging'. Below, he tells us how it differs from the challenge of Everest and why he can't wait to explore new exit points in remote mountains...

See the full story of Rozov's Kilimanjaro BASE below

So how was it?

It was quite difficult for us. The wall was not vertical and so we spent some days trying to find a proper point to jump from. That was the most difficult problem. Another was the weather. There's no mountain around so it attracts clouds on the summit.

So how does Kilimanjaro compare to Everest?

It's totally different! Different cultures, different style of climbing, the weather. Everything! Everest in general is more difficult. It took so much more time and was more demanding physically due to the altitude. Also with Everest, I focused all my life on making this jump. It took two years to plan. When it happened I was super happy.

Valery Rozov comes into land after making historic wingsuit flight off the slopes of Kilimanjaro.

World's highest mountain, Africa's highest mountain, anything you want to tell us?

I have climbed and jumped from the highest suitable points of four continents: Changtse (Everest) in Asia, Elbrus, the highest point in Europe, Ulvetanna and Holtanna in Antarctica and now Kilimanjaro in Africa. Yes, I have a seven summits challenge – there's the Americas and Australia/Oceania still to do. But better to talk about it after I have done it!

Where do you get your kicks?

For many years I was a professional climber. Doing big jumps from big mountains is very interesting for me. Being the first to the top is important in mountaineering and it's the same with jumping. Being the first, it's an understandable motivation. The sports are a good combination and similar: the logistics, the climbing and then jumping. It's always an adventure which I like!

The shadow of Kilimanjaro, Africa's highest mountain, stretches into the distance.

What's next in the sport?

Jumping from new exits in big mountains will definitely be one of the most popular trends in the next years. Proximity flying? You know it's difficult for this to continue developing because it's very dangerous. A lot of people can do it so it's not unique. It just depends on how much risk you're prepared to take. Technically, it's not that difficult now – it's just a question of risk. I like proximity flying but to focus on it professionally does not make sense for me.

Sequence shot of Valery Rozov making the first ever BASE jump and wingsuit flight from the slopes of Kilimanjaro, Africa's highest mountain.

You're 50. For how much longer will you keep doing this stuff?

I don't know. As long as it continues to be interesting for me and for as long as I'm motivated. Recently I found a new exit point that's higher than my Everest jump and that's exciting for me. So I'll keep going for as long as I'm physically able and so long as I want to continue.

Yesterday the expedition under the leadership of Valery Rozov returned from Tanzania. Dates of trip: 3 – 13 th of February, 2015. The main goal of the expedition was the jump of Valery Rozov from the wall of the Kilimanjaro massif. The expedition, as usual, was sponsored by Red Bull. And the 7 Summits Club was the organizer of the trip, as the most friendly company and the most competent in the region.

Western breach Face

In the expedition consisted of 10 persons: group of climbers, as well as a group of professional photographers and cameramen.

The list of participants of the expedition:

1. RozovValery.

2. Ruchkin Alexander.

3. Krasko Sergey.

4. Larin, Sergei.

5. Grek Alexander.

6. Lebanidze Nika.

7. Tanc Zeki Cengiz.

8. Thomas Senf.

9. Kemahli Omer Selim.

10. Nichiporuk Denis.

Climbing Kilimanjaro was made by the most difficult, rarely used route - by the Western breach Face. For successful acclimatization, several nights was been spent in the crater of the volcano.

The jump was done! Congratulations to Valera and all the team!!!!

In the nearest future we hope to post a part of the film and pictures of the jump. Now you could see only shared pictures about an atmosphere of the beginning of expedition.

Best pictures from Kilimanjaro expedition. A report from 7 Summits Club climber from 1-8th February expedition on Kilimanjaro:

Vadim Khayrullin reports from Tanzania: For us it took 6.5 hours to climb from the assault camp to Uhuru Peak. We left at 00.00 and at 6.30 we were at the top. There was no snow on the top, just a light breeze and the temperature of -15 degrees .....

But we did it! Dawn at the top of Kilimanjaro is something special !!!!

The group climbed the Marangu route: Maria Vorotyagina, Vadim Khayrullin and Vladimir from Ukraine.

A Guide of the 7 Summits Club Anastasia Kuznetsova from Tanzania: Now one group of our Club is on the Marangu route. This is Maria Vorotyagina with Vadim Khayrullin and Vladimir from Ukraine. Today the team went to the refuge Horombo (3800 m) and tomorrow they plan to rise to the assault camp Kibo (4800 m) to climb the highest peak in Africa, the Kilimanjaro.

The weather is good, the team is excellent and in a good mood.

I said farewell to them in the first camp Mandara Hut to went down to Moshi. There I was engaged in preparing for the reception of the next of our group, this time - on the Umbwe route.