July 28 – August 3, 2013

After a grueling five day approach trek in the thin air of extreme altitude, Scout Simon (14) left the comfort of his warm sleeping bag at 10:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 1, 2013, and an hour later headed out into the sub-zero dark of night (-10°C to -15°C) – with only half the oxygen to breathe than at sea level – to begin his climb to the summit of the highest mountain in Africa – 19,341 feet/5,895 metres above Tanzania and Kenya – the highest free-standing mountain in the world – one of the legendary “Seven Summits” – Kilimanjaro!

Here’s a video photo-diary of his journey:

.

More photos:

Destination: Kilimanjaro

Destination: Kilimanjaro

Destination: Kilimanjaro

Heading to Camp 2 at 12,000 feet on the Shira Plateau.

Shira Camp (12,000′)

Heading to Camp 3 (Branco) via the Lava Tower at 15,000′

On top of the Great Baranco Wall

From the top of the great Baranco Wall – to get to Camp 4 – you have to cross the Karanga Valley

8 am Thursday morning. Today he heads to the high camp (Barafu) at 15,000 feet. Tonight he heads to the summit. There will be no sleep now until Friday night. He has to get to the summit and back in the next 36 hours. There will be time to sleep when the job is done.

Passing the Southern Icefield on the way to the summit.

The final walk to the summit.

Mission accomplished.

Our DeLorem inReach MapShare track of the summit push (note: the time stamps on the messages are Vancouver time which is behind Tanzania time by 10 hours)

The Maasi made Simon an honourary warrior in tribute to his climb of Kilimanjaro.

Simon is welcomed as an honourary Maasi Warrior.

.

And here’s a video photo-diary from his travels in Africa after his climb: