Africa - Page 26

A Russian lady from Ulan-Ude, aged 86, established a new Guinness standard in high-altitude trekking, being the oldest person in the world to have reached the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro (5895 m). Her crew made it to the top on October 29, 2015 at 1:08 PM, UTC+3.

The 7 Summits Club local office was the first to know how it feels to be on ‘the roof of Africa’ and how to go on in the torrential monsoon rains. Here’s what she shared with us.

- Angela, congratulations on your achievement! We are happy to be a part of your success. By the way, as far as we know, it was your first high-altitude trekking experience. What do you think was the most difficult part?

- The first days of our expedition almost seemed a leisurely promenade. And then it started pouring with heavy rains. I thought they would never end. We would trek during days, and the nights our guides spent drying the clothes, so that I had something warm to wear in the morning. Fatigue seemed insurmountable, I was utterly drained of all energy by the summiting day which started in Barafu Camp (4600 meters above the sea level), and it was then when the most challenging part of my journey began - conquering Uhuru Peak which took us 13 strenuous hours.

- Your blood circulation parameters at an altitude of 4 600 m were incredible: oxygen concentration was 89%, pulse – 70, which means that high-altitude acclimatization was not a big problem for you.

- My pulse and oxygen rate were indeed excellent. Daily medical examinations confirmed that. However, I was still exhausted to no end.

- Did it ever cross your mind to turn back?

- No, I never give up. The guide and I even danced a tango at 4 000 m. At 5 000 m we were lucky to see the sunrise above the clouds. It was spectacular! What else… I almost lost my voice and could hardly pronounce a word, but the idea of going back was the last thing on my mind.

- How much time did you spend on the top? What did you feel there at the top of the continent of Africa?

- We spent almost an hour at Uhuru Peak. Its irresistible beauty mesmerized me. I did not want to leave that place. And it wasn’t because of breathtaking sceneries. The date for conquering Kilimanjaro – October 29 - was chosen for a reason. I was aware of the rains this time of the year, but reaching the top on that very day was very important for me. Eighty years ago I gave a promise to my sister Lydia that I would be travelling for both of us. My beloved sister was six years older than me, born in 1923. She died of pneumonia when she was only twelve years and four days old. I loved her dearly. It was her birthday on my summiting day. I dedicate this climb to her.

- When you set off on your first journey, the Guinness World Records Book didn’t even exist yet. Now when your name has become its part, how do you feel about it?

- I had no idea I could become a record breaker until I was told so by the organizers of my expedition in September (laughing). Well, I would lie if I said I’m not keen on the idea to be mentioned in the Guinness Book.

- How did you decide to visit Africa and climb Kilimanjaro?

- I love mountains. They have always lured me. And I love Africa, especially its nature. Besides that, being the highest freestanding mount in the world, Kilimanjaro is not as tough as Elbrus or Everest, and the top is not ice capped, thus, it does not require any special mountaineering skills or equipment, so I decided to give it a try.

- So, here we come to your preparation. I’m sure people would like to know what steps you took to get ready for this adventure.

- My first intention was to hike the Inca Way (from Cusco to Machu Picchu) in Peru. It‘s a 48 km trek at an altitude of 4000 m. I thought that if I could manage that challenge, my next endeavor would be Kilimanjaro. Unfortunately, Peru plans failed, and we decided to go straight to Tanzania. I walk a lot and rarely have problems with blood pressure. My every morning starts with exercising and a cold shower. I guess, that was my only preparation.

- Am I right in thinking that the Inca Way and Machu Picchu will be the next chapter in your adventure book?

- Most definitely! Besides that, I have always dreamed of the Anadyr-Murmansk cruise, vising the Russian Arctic Islands and the North Pole. Not only is travelling the best way to learn the world, but it also helps to reveal your inner self, understand what you are really worthy of.

Angela’s companion during her Kilimanjaro adventures was her daughter Vera (62 y.o.). They started to plan this expedition in February of 2015. Their success depended on many things: the ladies’ overall physical condition, their stamina, and professional organization as well. Fourteen professional mountaineers comprised Angela’s climbing crew. Their well-coordinated and professional work made this climb safe and successful. The chief guides of the expedition – Mr. Elias Massawe and Mr. Shabani Swalehe have 15+ years of experience in climbing Kilimanjaro.

“Reaching Uhuru Peak at any cost was never our number one priority”, comments Aleksandr Andreichuk, the head of the 7 Summits Club office in Tanzania. “The most important task was to ensure that this climb would be safe. All our expeditions include a similar set of safety measures: daily medical examinations, oxygen systems, high-calorie nutrition, and so on. Nevertheless, we have ‘customized’ the route and safety measures for Angela and her daughter. By the way, the conqueror of the African pinnacle needed neither medical kits, nor oxygen systems”.

A dedicated traveler, Angela has been to a lot of countries of the former USSR. However, she made her first international trip on the verge of her 80th anniversary. “Astounding safari in Botswana, the beautiful Victoria Falls in Zambia, captivating Cape Town. I can hardly believe I’ve seen all those wonders! I remember the Cape of Good Hope. I was sitting on the rock, and splashes of the giant waves were blending with tears on my checks…” This is how Angela describes her first meeting with Africa.

The majestic Kilimanjaro has become the next trophy in Angela’s collection, and her adventures are still far from the end. Her next destinations are South America and the North Pole. The countdown has commenced. We wish this unique, tireless Russian lady all the best in all her future adventures!

Meanwhile, a well-deserved rest awaits Angela and Vera on the sunny beaches of Zanzibar, as well as fascinating safari in the picturesque Tanzanian savannah.

"The purpose of the expedition – make a film about the unique glaciers, which are currently on the verge of extinction. The film will be shown at a reception in honor of the 210 th anniversary of the Society at the Moscow State University.

The expedition "The Snows of Kilimanjaro" is timed to the 210th anniversary of the Society and the 80th anniversary of release of the novel by Ernest Hemingway. Information and reports on the expedition will be published in our newswire as well as in social networks. "

Now the group went to the National Park Ndarakvay, which is located on the border with Kenya. There must be taken views of Kilimanjaro and picture of wildlife in Africa.

Then the group will climb Kilimanjaro by the Western traverse route Lemosho making additional stops to acclimatize and to shoot panoramic plans in specific points of the route.

Hi! It says Vladimir Kotlyar, a guide of the The 7 Summits Club. We continue our expedition in Africa. Climbing the top, the main part of the program on Kilimanjaro we did. We were on the summit all five, as I said. Today we had the first day of the safari. So the African adventure continues. Today we went to the Manyara National Park ... and I'll tell you, we've seen a lot of animals: elephants, giraffes, buffalo, hippos, and we were even lucky enough to see a leopard.

Jumbo, my friends! It is Vladimir Kotlyar, I speak straight from the highest point of Africa, the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro, Uhuru Peak - 5895 meters. The great weather, what stunning views! The whole group reached the summit. People, of course, tired. They still do not quite understand what they did. But I think on the way down, they could understand all. Good job! And now we take pictures, admire the beauty. And we begin the descent. Down, down, down - to eat, to rest, to recuperate. Tomorrow we will continue go downhill ... ..

The sky is clear. In fact, all previous days we are very unlucky with the weather. Unfortunately, it rained, it was damp and we could not see anything. But now we are above the clouds, and the view is breathtaking. In general, you could congratulate us with the successful climb! We did it!

Good everything! It says Vladimir Kotlyar from Mount Kilimanjaro. Today we have climbed to a height of 3,700 meters on the Horombo hut. Here we celebrated the birthday of Luba, member of our team. Congratulations to her with his birthday! We wish her achievements, not only mountain peaks, but all through life. And ... yes ... traditionally, our team came up with a name. The name of our team - "Tactics of trump dozens" ... This here is an interesting name, think for yourself, why is it so. Tactics leads to success ... So we hope the climb with this tactic will lead to success .. In short, it was Vladimir Kotlyar. We continue to climb. Tomorrow we will have an acclimatization outing with return back to the Zebra Rocks. All the best!

Hello everyone! This is Vladimir Kotlyar from Africa, with a team of two boys and two girls. Today we startб our adventure begins. Now we leave from Moshi towards Marangu Gate. Our climb to Kilimanjaro, the highest peak in Africa, starts from there.

This Tuesday, October 20th, new expedition of the Club 7 summits starts on Kilimanjaro under the leadership of our guide Vladimir Kotlyar. During the program, the team plan climb the highest peak of Africa, but also to arrange a trip to the national parks of Tanzania.

....Overall I had the feeling of a light SPA-trekking. We were walking along the route, grandly, within the framework of the notorious African concept of the "pole – pole". Even for me it was too "pole", even though I am not speed-walker, especially after a 3 year hiatus. I was fed to the slaughter, I had to make an effort not to offend the chef, who was perceived to heart, if his almost elephantine portions are not eaten whole. The expression "Kura Niyama" has come into use ( it means "eat meat").

  A Day of  climbing in general did not violate the SPA concept, I slept on the way to the top, the benefit that the rate was not high, woke up only at the last rocky part, thanks to a team of Scandinavians, our only companions that day. They were very sentimental, some even cried, when he came to the top plate...  Down  it was to 3300 m long and tiring walking, but we did it at last.

 Carnivor and a national park have been a great success.

The positive "no": I did not wait for the arrival of mountain sickness, did not use medical insurance. The negative "not" - have not lost weight ( thanks to the chef))).

But, as they say, Hakuna Matata...

 Thanks all for the nice trip!...

Congratulations to Nikolai Stepanenko with the International Tourism Day and Happy Birthday! These events, his friends Misha Turovsky and Vadim Nadvodnyuk noted by an ascent to the summit of Toubkal in Morocco! Everybody is happy!

September 17th, 2015 at the cinema Moscow park "Krasnaya Presnya" will be held a special screening of the film Russia Today «Three and Kilimanjaro." The film tells the story of young people with disabilities, who are trying to do something that sometimes can not afford many perfectly healthy people - to conquer the highest African peak, moving on prostheses.

Pokhil'ko Sasha, Sasha Shulchev and Vanya Gorbatenko with volunteers of charities had five days to climb to an altitude of almost 6000 meters. To learn how they managed to do it, and to hear about all of the guys you could on September 17 at 19:00 at the Summer Cinema Park Krasnaya Presnya. Entrance to the show is free. After viewing it will be a meeting with authors and characters of the film.

Authors of the film: Artem Vorobey and Alexander Avilov.

In June, 2014, Alex D'Jamoos and Sasha Pohilko climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro on prosthetic legs. With 11 companions, representing four charities the team made the the six-day journey to the summit of Africa's tallest mountain. D'Jamoos and Pohilko received their prosthetic legs through the "I Want to Walk" program, which helps orphaned children get life-changing prostheses and make their first steps towards independent life. The trip was organized by Happy Families International Center to bring attention to people in need and challenge the conception of what it means to have a "disability".

Trailer

Full film

http://www.rt.com/news/191316-orphans-kilimanjaro-disabled-charity/

Terrifying, inspirational: RT documents

disabled orphans’ Kilimanjaro climb

Three former orphans with severe disabilities attempt to make the grueling ascent to Africa’s highest peak to help Russian orphanages, in a new RT documentary.

“We’re trying to prove the disabled can do something healthy people consider impossible,” said Aleksandr Pokhilko, a Moscow art student who has staged four exhibitions, despite being born with no hands, as well as no legs.

The three men who took on Kilimanjaro met when they were still teenagers in an orphanage near Moscow, after being given up by their parents as babies due to their severe medical conditions.

“Many kids brought up in orphanages lack willpower to receive a decent education and find a proper work. They grew up seeing the world as if through a small window. When they leave the orphanage, it’s as if they’ve come from another planet,” said Pokhilko.

The three men went their own separate ways as adults, with one, Ivan Gorbatenko, reuniting with his parents, and another Alex D'Jamoos, now a student at Texas University, after being adopted by an American family.

For them, it was not just a chance to do good, but also to renew bonds.

But as the men began the four-day 26 mile ascent to the Uhuru Peak, located 5,895 meters above sea level, reality refused to co-operate with the storybook narrative.

Within hours D'Jamoos, who has no legs and severely restricted hands, realized that it was too slippery to use his prosthetics. He simply bandaged his feet, and put boxing gloves over his fingers, using them to slowly hop up treacherous terrain. When he encountered rocks, he was forced to simply crawl.

Ivan Gorbatenko, who suffers from severe scoliosis, a curvature of the spine, developed a fever, and was diagnosed with bronchitis by the team doctor. He had to be driven to a hospital from Horombo Camp, 3720 meters above sea level, before being discharged.

“Of course, I am gutted. But if I had the chance to do this again, I would say no,” a dejected Gorbatenko told the RT crew.

For Pokhilko, the end to the journey also threatened heartbreak. At Gilman’s Point, less than 200 meters short of the summit, the local guides told him that they would not risk his health by ascending with him.

“I could almost see the finish line, but I was spent, and thought I might collapse right here on the mountain,” said Pokhilko.

But together with D’Jamoos, he managed to reach the top, though even though both admitted that they were “glad it was all over.”

“I did it for our friends who weren’t able to come to the end. I promised I would, and I did! I dedicate my ascent to all those who are insecure and look for their place in the world. All I can say is, have faith in yourselves!” said D’Jamoos.

The men raised thousands for charities on both sides of the Atlantic and after what for two of them was the second attempt to scale Kilimanjaro, and will now face new challenges. While, Pokhilko plans to pursue his ambitions as an artist, D’Jamoos, who has been a prominent activist for orphans’ causes, will carry on campaigning for disabled rights and opportunities in Russia.

Hi, Seven Summits! After climbing the Jebel Toubkal, every day we spend 4-5 hours on a bus. But our program is very interesting. The day before yesterday we visited the studio, starring famous, interesting movies .... I only remember "Gladiator." Then yesterday we drove to the desert. Camels got us into deep sand dunes, we greeted the dawn on the highest dune in North Africa. This morning we drove again on camels, and returned to civilization. Now we are in a hotel next to the castle ... Ait Ben Haddou, which also were shooting films such as "Gladiator", "Asterix and Obelix" and other ... And tomorrow we, finally, we move to the ocean coast and will rest ... All greetings from the whole group! Artem Rostovtsev.

Hello, Seven Summits! This is a group of Alpari headed by Artem Rostovtsev. Today we went to Mount Toubkal. Of the 32 participants came to the mountain 29 climbed it up the top. The descent was a bit slow for us, but it ended well. Even before dark we went to the village of Imlil, and now we are all in Marrakech .... In the morning we go to the Sahara Desert ... Goodbye!

  Today, our group climbed the highest peak in Africa, Mount Kilimanjaro (Uhuru Peak). Now the group is going  down to Horombo. Further program: rest after climb and safari on the most beautiful national parks of Tanzania.

 Our congratulations!

 List of climbers:

 - Alexander Filipochev,

- Nikolai Rogozhin

- Yevgeny Smirnov,

- Kurban Kurbanmagomedov.

A large group of Lemax Company from the city of Taganrog climbed to the top of Mount Kilimanjaro almost all the staff on July 23. They have dedicated their ascent to the boss, owner of company - Leonid Matusevich. After climb they were on a two-day safari (Lake Manyara and Ngorongoro Crater) and then spent a few days in Zanzibar, on the northern-most part of it.

The whole trip was the date of 17-31 July 2015.

Today, July 23, early in the morning, 17 members of Taganrog group from Lemax company climbed Uhuru Peak of Mount Kilimanjaro (5895 meters). Four members of the expedition reached Stella Point (5685 meters), another participant turned from a mark of 5300 meters. And one participant came yesterday down in Moshi.

Considering that the experience in climbing the group was small, it is a very good result.
Congratulations to the team with the summit!

The group is now going down to the camp Millennium Health, there is no problems in the group.

The ascent was accomplished in honor of the 60th anniversary of the founder and CEO of the company Leonid Matusevich.

Yesterday, July 17, a big group of the Tanzanian team from company Lemax from Taganrog arrived in Tanzania … A team of 23 persons committed a trip to the birthday of their leader, the founder of the company Leonid Matusevich. According to the plan the group should climb the highest mountain in Africa - Kilimanjaro by Machame route. The program is specially planned so that the day of the assault took place on the anniversary (60 years) of Leonid Matusevich. After the ascent of a part of the group will fly home, and second part will continue their trip a two-day safari in Tanzania's most interesting national parks.

Leonid Matusevich

A LEMAX team on Kamchatka

Today, June 10th, a small group of climbers from our Club flew to Morocco to climb the highest peak in the country Jebel Toubkal and to celebrate the Day of Russia. They are Alexander Semenyuk and Roman Smirnov – both active participants of programs of the 7 Summits Club.

We wish the guys good luck and good weather!

Today is the day of departure. It is a pity. The Country is magic. Group is wonderful. No one wants to leave. We'll have to go somewhere else all together :)

A group of 15 people led by Anastasia Kuznetsova today made a successful ascent to the summit of Jebel Toubkal in Morocco, the highest peak in North Africa. It's nice that the group has reached   the summit in full, including two children 11 and 12 years old. They did it like all climbers. The mountains  here are beautiful, alive - they are filled with streams, waterfalls, flying butterflies, ladybugs. In general, we walked and admired nature. It was very cheerful and fun. Now we are in Marrakech, enjoy the exotic East, rest after the climb. We have a wonderful mood, and we continue our journey through Morocco. Constantine Ryzhak by telephone from Marrakech...

Four more persons are added to our group today - Natalya, Andrey and Ilya Dulskiy from Irkutsk and Andrey Krasnik from Moscow. We almost all together, only Konstantin Ryzhak has to catch up with us in mountains.

Morocco opens to us infinite bright fabulous multi-colored east fairy tale. Tomorrow we go to mountains.