Vanessa O’Brien has been described as a “force of nature,” a fitting name for a woman who has set her sights on summiting the highest peaks on the planet in record-breaking time.

On March 10, Vanessa summited Mount Kilimanjaro with us, which was the final climb of her Seven Summits challenge (the Seven Summits is a mountaineering challenge to reach the highest peaks of each continent). There have been about 50 women in history to have successfully climbed the Seven Summits and Vanessa is the first woman to have done it in the span of 10 months (she smashed the record which was previously held at 12 months.)

Climbing the Seven Summits is an extraordinary accomplishment but Vanessa is aiming for an even loftier goal – the Explorer’s Grand Slam, which includes the Seven Summits plus the two poles. She has already reached the South Pole and plans on reaching the North Pole next month.

click to enlarge map*Vanessa climbed mainland Australia’s highest peak, Mount Kosciusko, which was initially on the list of Seven Summits. The highest point in Oceania, however, is New Guinea’s Carstensz Pyramid; a more difficult climb, which replaced Kosciusko as one the Seven Summits in the 1980s. Vanessa covered all the bases and climbed both.

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Training, staying healthy and planning the logistics for one major mountain climb is no small task, much less 7+ in rapid succession. When this British-American mountaineer isn’t training near her home on Boston area beaches, where she pulls truck tires through the sand, she’s bagging another summit with no time to waste – she had to make a rapid descent down Mt. McKinley in order to catch her departing flight!

We are proud to have played a part in Vanessa’s expedition; regarding her trek up Mount Kilimanjaro, she commented, “Kilimanjaro is the 4th highest mountain among the Seven Summits. Although one doesn’t need all the alpine equipment to summit Kilimanjaro, as they do for Denali or Elbrus, one must still deploy the discipline of acclimatization to be successful including climbing high, sleeping low over a number of days, drinking plenty of fluids, and eating proper nutrition. Just like any of the other Seven Summits up until one hits the ice, the paths on Kilimanjaro can be steep, uphill, rocky, slippery, muddy and the weather can vary from sunshine to sleet/snow/rain. A climber is a climber and every mountain must be treated with respect.”

Taking a break in Kilimanjaro`s rainforest with Thomson trekking team

Trekking through the rainforest on the Umbwe Route

Celebrating summit success at the gate with Thomson Safaris trekking team

Descending through the rainforest after a successful climb

Scaling the Barranco Wall

In the Barranco Valley

Vanessa O`Brien with Thomson Safaris` trekking team

Vanessa`s Record-Breaking 7th Summit within 10 months!

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“Climbing with the Thomson Safaris guides was an absolute pleasure. Prosper and Simon were both extremely knowledgeable about the routes, the wildlife, flora/fauna, the rock and the history of Kilimanjaro. Our group decided to take local Swahili names for our trek/climb and bonded very well with the whole Thomson Safaris’ team from the cook to the porters to Focus, our medical guide that trekked the entire route to the summit with us. We shared a lot of great stories, shot some great video footage, and took some amazing pictures. I couldn’t have wished for a better support team for my ’7th’ summit!”

What’s next for Vanessa? She reached the South Pole in December and is only two weeks away from meeting her final challenge on the North Pole, which will complete the Explorer’s Grand Slam. Only 13 days and counting until she embarks on the exciting conclusion to this record-breaking expedition.

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Follow us on Facebook or Twitter for updates on Vanessa’s progress.
Visit Vanessa’s website to read more about her expeditions.

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UPDATE: Vanessa O’Brien reached the North Pole on April 16th!
Read more!

We are excited to share the launch of our new website with you – that’s right, Thomson Safaris has a new look! Visit our site and escape to Tanzania via beautiful photographs and videos from our safari and Kilimanjaro guests. We hope you enjoy the site’s new features including Kilimanjaro trekking maps, a photos & videos section and testimonials from Thomson Safaris’ travelers.

Use our new website to book your next safari or Kilimanjaro trek or request a catalog to start planning your adventure to Tanzania!

	Camera You wouldn’t dream of going to Tanzania without a camera! Be sure to make yourself familiar with all of its features well before your departure. Stay tuned to our blog for safari-specific camera recommendations – coming soon!			Binoculars Binoculars are a must for safari travelers. We like this pair by Bushnell, Bushnell Legend Ultra HD, for its image clarity, color fidelity and light weight. It also features a rain proof coating for inclement weather.

	Preload a Kindle with Travel Books The Kindle offers a great way for readers to travel with multiple titles and minimal weight. Gift a Kindle to your favorite traveler; while you’re at it, load it with great books that inspire or educate them about their upcoming travels. Check our reading list to find trekking or safari-specific book suggestions like the National Audubon Society’s Field Guide to African Wildlife and Peter Matthiessen‘s The Tree where Man was Born.

	Inreach Smartphone and GPS Stay in touch with friends and family in remote places! This handy device transforms your smartphone or tablet into a GPS tracking system that not only locates your position but automatically keeps your friends and family up to date on your whereabouts. Learn more!			Altimeter While an altimeter is not necessary for trekking Kilimanjaro, it sure is nice to watch the reading increase as you gain altitude and strive to reach 19,341′. A great gift for the Kilimanjaro trekker in your life!

Click here to view the embedded video.
	Songs of the Maasai Steppe by Loruvani Put a soundtrack to the memories of your travels to Tanzania and watch/listen to the video above featuring spiritual and uplifting Maasai and Swahili gospel songs. Proceeds of the sale of this music go directly to the villages of the Maasai singers. Preview and purchase a CD or MP3s here: http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/loruvani

	Andy Biggs Photography Iconic photography from Africa makes for a very special gift. You can purchase imagery from professional African wildlife photographer and Thomson trip leader, Andy Biggs. His photos are signed and printed on acid-free fine art papers. Visit Andy’s photo gallery.			Modern Travel Posters Designed by JHill Designs, these graphic prints will make a statement in any travel or art-enthusiast’s home. There are many destinations and styles to choose from including Mt. Kilimanjaro (pictured above).

	Map Travel Journal These handcrafted journals by Kristin Crane can be customized with any map of your choosing. Beautifully assembled, these little pieces of art are sure to be a treat for the traveler on your gift list.			Crank Flashlight Tried and true, this crank flashlight will always provide illumination without having to worry about batteries. Great for travelers headed to remote destinations.

—–Be sure to check our Dear Santa board on Pinterest for more ideas.

In her honor – and in order to raise awareness of this preventable disease – people have been taking a photo of themselves with Molly’s picture in various places around the world. Now Molly has been to a prom, visited an aquarium and been to the state fair, all of which were items on her bucket list. Her photo has traveled across the US, Europe and has even landed in the hands of host Mario Lopez on the television set of Extra.

Thomson Safaris’ guest, Dr. Scott Olitsky, raised money on two Kilimanjaro climbs for HHT and brought Molly’s story to our attention. When he asked if we could take Molly’s photo to the top of Mount Kilimanjaro, we were more than honored to do so.

Thomson Safaris’ staffer, Rachel, with a photo of Molly at the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro

Kristen Dunne, Molly’s mom, said, “I received the pictures of Molly at the top of Mt. Kilimanjaro. I was thrilled beyond belief to see that! Molly was one tough cookie and I know she would have loved to have been able to do that some day. Thank you so much to everyone involved in getting her up there. Thanks so much for wanting to share Molly’s story. It makes me smile and keeps me going every day knowing that Molly continues to make a difference.”

Join in and support Kristen Dunne’s initiative to make miracles come true for Molly while raising awareness for HHT, a genetic condition that causes malformations in blood vessels. She adds, “We want to get the word out to hopefully help prevent another family having to go through what we’ve been through.”

To learn more about Molly’s story, HHT and to see photos of how others have contributed to Miracles for Molly, visit her Facebook page, Miracles for Molly and her Caring Bridge.

The Western Approach Route provided the most gorgeous views, from dense rainforest with Colobus monkeys and the rolling grasslands of the Shira Plateau, to the barren, moon-like landscapes of the alpine desert and the glaciers near the summit. My favorite site on the mountain was definitely Crater Camp. It felt so remote and untouched, and I could literally walk out of my tent, cross the soft black sands and touch a glacier… I’ve never been anywhere like that before!

But there is no way our group would have made it to the summit without our extraordinary team of guides, porters, and camp crew. I was blown away by all the support we received from them… our guides kept us on schedule and performed daily medical checks; our chef kept us well-fed with the most amazing meals (pumpkin soup, grilled cheese and tomato sandwiches, lasagna, etc); and our porters picked out the best camps sites, set up our tents (directly in front of Lava Tower and with views of Mawenzi from Barafu), helped carry our bags, and even welcomed us into camp with a song. You could tell they were proud to work for Thomson and that they loved their new all-weather climbing uniforms (the only ones on the mountain).

Looking back, picking the longer route and properly training were two of the best decisions I made. Even on this longer climb the altitude made simple things so much more difficult (like getting out of breath while packing your sleeping bag away or even the slower hiking pace), so at least being in good shape meant that I could focus on getting to the summit and enjoying the journey along the way!

The first glimpse of the mountain from the road

Me with resident giraffe during a game walk at Ndarakwai

Trekking through the rain forest

As we gain altitude, and the vegetation thins, we`re rewarded with stunning views

Enjoying Shira 2 Camp

Our dining tent on the way to Karanga - great food and a great view!

Giant groundsels in the Barranco Valley

Feeling good after scaling the Barranco Wall!

A light snow fell through the night at Lava Tower Camp

Headed to the summit with Mawenzi Peak in the background

I made it to the summit!

Lamik, my personal porter, overlooking the crater in his stylish Thomson gear

A view of glaciers from my tent in Crater Camp. This was my favorite campsite on the mountain, I`ve never seen anything like this before!

Last glimpses of the summit from our descent through the rainforest

My first animal sighting on safari - zebras in Tarangire National Park

I saw so many elephants in Tarangire

A visit to a Maasai boma

A hippo pool in the Serengeti - they`re a noisy bunch!

Soaring above the plains of the Serengeti in a hot-air balloon at dawn

Giraffe in Serengeti National Park

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After the climb, I celebrated my summit success with a spectacular wildlife safari to Tarangire, the Ngorongoro Crater, and the Serengeti, staying in our Nyumba campsites and the beautiful Gibb’s Farm. As with the trek, the guides, camp crew and food were fabulous, and I was completely stunned with just how much wildlife I saw… elephants, lions, wildebeest, zebra, flamingo, buffalo, hippo, ostrich, etc. I got to see the sunrise over the Serengeti from the hot air balloon, and even I walked up to a group of giraffe at Ndarakwai Ranch – how cool is that??

The list goes on and on, and there’s so much more I could say about my trip! I’d love to share more of my experience with you, answer your questions, and help you plan your own once-in-a-lifetime journey, so do feel free email me or call 800-235-0289.
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What am I packing in my duffle? Click photo for a closer look.

The thought of packing overwhelmed me at first; I wanted to make sure I had the appropriate gear and was prepared for any kind of weather Kilimanjaro might serve up. Once I started though, it was a lot easier than I thought. Not to toot our own horn but the packing list in the Kilimanjaro Preparation Guide was straightforward, easy to use and was a great tool for me. Amongst other things, it helped me to organize the gear I already had and figure out what I still needed to get, like a few more pairs of socks and a sturdy pair of thermals.

My predeparture specialist and my colleagues who have climbed Kilimanjaro have been great resources for information and support. Here are a few key pieces of advice I collected from them:

• Bring lots of plastic bags, or stuff sacks, to keep items separated/organized, like wet or dirty clothes

• Pack your clothes in a garbage bag (within your duffle) for extra protection from wet weather

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Since I’m a naturally competitive person, I have to constantly remind myself to slow down; when I finally do, I am able to enjoy the hike, or workout, so much more. Slowing down also allows me to focus on proper technique and efficiency… something that will have a big payout when I’m closing in on Kilimanjaro’s summit!

During my hike last weekend, I practiced the rest step, a technique hikers use to conserve energy. Watch the video below to learn how this technique is especially effective on long hikes requiring muscle endurance, such as my upcoming 9-day Western Approach Route trek.

Click here to view the embedded video.

This week I’m back in the gym and increasing the intensity of my workouts in anticipation of tapering, or resting, for the week leading up to my departure…it’s approaching quickly! In other preparation news, my boots are almost completely broken in, though I’ve noticed a few chafed spots on my feet, so I tried Moleskin on these areas and it worked great during last weekend’s hike! I plan using Moleskin throughout my trek to proactively prevent the formation of blisters.

Less than 20 days until I leave and I’m slowly starting to pack my duffle; more on that in my next post…
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What about the dreaded treadmill, you ask? Well, it is still a part of my workout regimen – it’s a necessary evil, I guess! However I’ve learned that running on the treadmill isn’t the most efficient way to train for Kilimanjaro. Believe it or not, to train for Kili, you need to practice walking­! Slowing the treadmill down to a walking pace (and at a steep grade) was counter-intuitive to me at first but now I can see that it’s the closest thing to being on the trail. I’ve recently increased the intensity of my treadmill workouts by wearing a weighted backpack…yes, I’ve received a bunch of curious looks from others at my gym as I’m stomping up the treadmill with a bag of weights on my back but the benefits far outweigh the initial awkwardness.

My stair workouts have been great too. Instead of doing this on a Stairmaster, I prefer 8-10 minute sets on a single flight of stairs because it not only forces me to focus and puts me into the zone but it also gives me the opportunity to train for the descent… don’t forget, you have to walk down several thousand feet from the summit! I hear the descent can be tough on your knees, so I’m definitely taking the time to strengthen the muscles to support my joints. Upgrading to a larger flight of stairs is on my to-do list!

I have terrible balance so one of the most challenging exercises for me is the sideward bound-pause. When I try to do it, it is more like “sideward bound-hop-wobble-hop.” Watch how it is done in the Fit For Trips clip below; it’s not easy!

Click here to view the embedded video.

As a swimmer, I’ve never had to work the smaller, stabilizing muscles in my hips, knees and ankles but these small muscles are the key to keep me from stumbling over rocks and roots on the trail and will help to reduce the risk of injury. As they say, practice makes perfect, and the more I practice the sideward bound-pause, the less I’ve been wobbling on the pauses.

I figure this trek will also challenge my mental fitness, so I placed a photo (the one of the Furtwangler Glaciers at the top of the post) at my desk to keep me focused on my goal. It is helping me visualize the moment when I will finally take a stroll amongst the famous glaciers of Kilimanjaro. I can’t wait!

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Route-specific training programs set up by Fit For Trips for Thomson Safaris’ Kilimanjaro treks. Custom programs are built with individuals’ fitness level and lifestyle in mind. Find out what other trekkers are saying about Fit For Trips.
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Look for more posts as we follow Rachel through her training program. If you’ve climbed Kili before, wish her luck, share a story or offer words of wisdom via posting a comment below!
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I just found out I’m climbing Kilimanjaro this August and I’m beyond excited! After months of studying the mountain, its routes and the logistics involved with our treks, I cannot wait to experience the mountain for myself, first-hand.

I wouldn’t say my experience screams mountaineer but I do have a passion for hiking and the outdoors. Growing up in coastal Texas, which happens to be the flattest region of the state, didn’t exactly provide an optimal environment for hiking. In fact, if you asked me to describe a mountain when I was a child, I would say they were “buildings with trees on them!” Don’t worry, I’ve become much more familiar with mountains since then!

While I was in college in Seattle, day hikes in the Cascade Mountains got me hooked on hiking. Inspired by the mountains of the northwest, I sought out hiking opportunities wherever I traveled, including China – where I lived and worked – and the beautiful mountains of New Zealand. Since moving to the Boston area, I look forward to my weekend excursions to New Hampshire’s White Mountains, which happens to be a perfect place for training for Kili!

Kilimanjaro will be my first high-altitude experience, as the majority of my active background lies at lower elevations…at sea-level, literally! I’ve been a competitive swimmer since I was a kid and recently became an open water distance swimmer – I will be swimming my longest distance yet this summer: 10 miles! Training for open water in New England has been a bit chilly (the ocean doesn’t tend to warm up too much here), but I love the challenges the ocean presents with unpredictable factors like waves, currents, fish and seaweed. It’s so dynamic! When I’m not open water training, I like to join my teammates of the Nahant Knuckleheads; we swim in the ocean when it’s warm and do polar plunges when it’s not!

Like many of our guests, I’m headed to Tanzania as a solo traveler, and know that I will be in the best, most capable hands on the mountain; I am so excited to finally meet our hard-working guides and porters. In the meantime, I have been getting encouragement and lots of support from the staff here at Thomson Safaris, who have 10+ summits among them.

I’ll keep you posted on my training as I go. My regimen has been set up by Fit For Trips, who have been great about creating a custom program to incorporate the activities I already do and adding Kili-specific exercises, which will help me transform from a seasoned swimmer and casual hiker into a high-altitude climber!

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Look for more posts as we follow Rachel through her training program. If you’ve climbed Kili before, wish her luck, share a story or offer words of wisdom via posting a comment below!
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We tested quite a few prototype fabrics and uniforms until we finally found the right all-weather blend to provide protection from rain, wind and cold, while still maintaining comfort. Plus, you can’t miss the bright orange color! Our porters are excited about the new gear and often comment that this great improvement has made severe weather conditions much more tolerable.

If you’ve trekked before you know that porters are a hard-working lot. Our guests are always astounded as porters pass them on the trail at a rapid clip with 20-30 pounds of supplies, food and gear on their backs or atop their heads. Neither weather nor fatigue seems to slow them down!

Our Kilimanjaro guests return home with a great amount of respect and gratitude for porters, as displayed above. Read more comments from Thomson guests about our porters.

Outfitting our porters with uniforms is just one example of the many innovations and policies Thomson employs to take great care of its hard working guides and porters. Read more about our porter ethics and how you can help support Kilimanjaro porters.

Trek through Maasailand on the Explorer’s Safari
Climb to the glaciers at the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro on the Grand Traverse Route
Photos courtesy of Chuck Rubin and Joe Crump
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“We are honored and thrilled to be recognized by Outside,” says Judi Wineland, Thomson Safaris’ co-founder and co-director. “Travelers first started going on adventures with us in Tanzania more than 30 years ago. Today you will find the beauty of Mount Kilimanjaro and the Serengeti to be as breathtaking and boundless as ever.”

The April issue of Outside Magazine, America’s leading active-lifestyle and adventure-travel magazine, is available on newsstands this week.

It is more than just a mere sign—these rustic, wooden planks have become an icon for trekkers who set their sights on the 19,340’ peak. When the sign finally reveals itself from a distance, it transcends from a landmark to become a symbol of achievement. For many trekkers, reaching the sign (and getting that great snapshot) becomes the sole motivation for the final push of their ascent.

Old Kilimanjaro summit sign
Photo courtesy: Peter Gaylord

Uhuru translates to freedom in Swahili but for those who have trekked to Kili’s summit, Uhuru Peak – and its iconic sign – represent victory!

Thomson Trekker, Tracy, describes her first view of Uhuru Peak’s summit sign, “Reaching Stella Point and seeing the Uhuru Peak sign in the distance was the highlight – nothing was going to come between me and the Peak. [It] gave me an adrenaline boost and refueled my emotional ability to get to Uhuru.”

A new sign was erected at Uhuru Peak a few weeks ago, replacing the brown, rustic, weathered landmark with a shiny, new, green sign. This extreme makeover coincides with Tanzania’s semi-centennial – the new sign may have been a 50th birthday present to Uhuru Peak. Here’s to the next 50 years and a new vision of freedom and/or victory at high altitude!

New Kilimanjaro summit sign
Photo courtesy: Leslie & Andy Biggs

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What is it like to climb Mount Kilimanjaro with Thomson?
Watch the video below and celebrate summit success with a Thomson trekking group.

Click here to view the embedded video.

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Tanzanians are proudly celebrating 50 years of independence today.

After several decades, Tanganyika gained its independence from Britain to become The United Republic of Tanzania. Julius Nyerere, known as Baba wa Taifa (Father of the Nation), was influential in uniting much of the country by advocating for peaceful change, social equality and racial harmony. With the help of his efforts, Tanganyika became a republic on December 9, 1961.  In 1964, Zanzibar followed and the two nations unified to form the United Republic of Tanzania with Nyerere as its first president.

A host of independence day celebrations are planned throughout the country including a weekend-long festival and a grand celebration at the National Stadium in Dar es Salaam.

Another celebration, The Kilimanjaro Uhuru Climb, kicked off several days ago when 200 climbers, dispersed across four different routes on Kilimanjaro, began their ascent carrying the Uhuru Torch. The climbers converge at the summit today where they will reenact a  symbolic torch lighting from 50 years ago.

The IMAX film inspired us to do the Kili trip. As the date approached, we decided this would be the perfect elopement trip. Our original plan was a simple exchange of wedding rings on the mountain.

We’d been with our trekking group for a couple of days but hadn’t shared our idea until we got to the Londorossi gate. It all started when fellow trekker and nurse from the Mayo Clinic, Kim, asked how long we had been married. We laughed as we showed her the rings we were carrying around our necks and told her our plan to elope on the mountain.

Kim asked if she could tell the rest of the group, and from there, everything took on a life of its own in the most fantastic way. Lou, another hiker in our group, was a minister who said he would be honored to do a small ceremony for us. The ceremony he designed was simple but beautiful, just what we wanted. Seasoned trekker and the oldest person in our group at 70, Jim, volunteered to walk me down the aisle. Our head guide, Wilfred, served as Jack’s best man. Wilfred later told us via email, that when he told his wife this story, she didn’t believe him!

We decided to have the ceremony at Lava Tower so everyone could be part of it – and what a community wedding it ended up being! Our Thomson group, plus another Thomson group and the combined staff, collected before dinner for our wedding. The ceremony was magical, personal and touching, in the most incredible setting.

After the ceremony, all the porters gathered around us to sing traditional Tanzanian wedding songs containing advice on how to take care of each other now that we were husband and wife.

We have a wedding guest book signed by almost 100 people, none of whom we’d met two weeks before. Everything was just perfect. Thanks to the joy and participation from everyone traveling with us, we definitely had the wedding we had always dreamed of that we never knew we could have!

The race route begins and ends in a very lively Moshi Stadium, where there are many fans, vendors and live music. The route takes the runners out of the stadium and into the town where they pass through villages and banana and coffee plantations before heading gradually uphill to Mweka though the forested foothills of Mount Kilimanjaro. Many of the runners are inspired by the view of Kilimanjaro’s peak, which can be seen throughout the race route.

Over 6,000 runners registered for the races this year, the majority of which hailed from Tanzania and Kenya. There were, however, many international racers such as South African, Richard Goodhead, who ran from Cape Town to Moshi in just over 140 days (that’s a marathon/day!). As if that wasn’t achievement enough, Goodhead went on to compete in the marathon and then climbed to Mt. Kilimanjaro’s summit! Another international runner included our very own Thomson trekker, Meghan Fischer. Fischer, an avid marathoner, ran a fantastic race – finishing in an impressive 24^th place, she was the first non-African woman to cross the half-marathon finish line. Meghan shares her experiences below:

I ran the race the day before we started our trek up Kilimanjaro. Even though the Kili trek and safari were both so incredible, I have to say that the race was my favorite part of the trip. What I loved about the half marathon was that I really felt part of the African culture. I have been running long distance races since high school, so I have a deep respect for the many amazing marathon runners from Kenya, Ethiopia, etc. I really enjoyed being on their turf, for once, and comparing their races to American marathons.

It was really exciting to see all of the runners at the race start. All of the runners were incredibly welcoming. It really was a party atmosphere before the race even started.

The first half of the race was uphill toward the mountain. It was a steady uphill climb, but many locals came out and cheered us on. The second half of the race was running back down the roads we had run up, so it was a very fast finish.

I ended up being the 24^th female to finish the half and the first non-African woman to finish. It was so much fun and such a beautiful setting for the race. I loved that throughout my run I could look to the summit of Kili and know that I would be there in a few days : )  I would highly recommend this race to all of my runner friends. I hope to someday do the Victoria Falls Half Marathon, too!

Q: Do you think anyone can make it to the summit?
A: In general, any healthy person can make it to the summit.  The formula is rather simple: train properly + ample acclimatization time + a determined attitude = summit success.

It is difficult to quantify the parts of the equation; you might not be in good shape but have the mental toughness needed for a successful summit, or you might be in incredible shape but need support to deal with the mental rigors of the final summit push. Train in both areas now, and your Thomson Kilimanjaro guide will be with you, encouraging you from first step to summit.

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Q: What are the top 3 exercises you recommend to train for Kili?
A:

Click here to view the embedded video.

Give us a call; as a Thomson Trekker, you’ll receive 25% off
of your personalized Fit For Trips training program!

To get the low-down on reaching great heights, we had a Q&A session with Marcus Shapiro, the founder and CEO of Fit For Trips:

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Q: What are some of the concerns your clients have before climbing Kilimanjaro?
A: I commonly get asked about altitude. Although altitude issues can affect anyone, being properly fit can help Kili climbers deal with many of the discomforts associated with high altitude symptoms.

Simply making it to the summit is another common concern. In brief, climbing stairs, treadmill work, specific ‘trail fitness’ resistance training exercises and hiking are essential to a successful summit.

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Q: What is the most important thing to remember while training?
A: Always be aware of how your body is adapting to the training demands. Are you constantly feeling tired and sore? If so, then you might be over-training and need to take steps to decrease your training intensity or volume. Once you have recovered, you can resume training in smaller doses. However, doing so will likely increase the amount of time needed to become properly fit for your trek. This is why it is helpful to start training in advance – 12+ weeks – of your departure date. Travelers who are already fit can be aggressive and ramp up the training quickly in the pre-departure phase, say eight weeks prior to departing.

Q: What is your background in personal training?
A: My degree in athletic training from the University of Alabama coupled with my Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) designation is an unusual combination but significant in the world of personal training. My athletic training education enhanced my ability to work with clients who have sustained orthopedic injuries. The CSCS designation – prevalent in collegiate, professional and Olympic conditioning coaches – ensures that clients receive the most progressive and up-to-date training techniques. I am trusted by my colleagues in physical therapy who refer to me their discharged patients.

I launched the online fitness company, Fit For Trips, with Thomson Safaris as the first partner in 2009.  I hold Thomson near and dear to my heart for trusting me with their guests.

My interests and experience go way beyond the world’s highest peaks. I am also an active father of two boys, the inventor of a portable dry-land training device for paddlers and creator of virtual software for personal training.

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Next week, in part 2 of this post, Marcus will share his top 3 recommended exercises to prepare for Kilimanjaro.

She said about her accomplishment, “I never think of it as anything special. It came as a big surprise to me that I am the second oldest woman to successfully have reached the summit. I’m sure it is only thanks to Thomson’s superb crew.”

Wilfred, the group’s guide, commented that she was an inspiration by saying,  “Bibi is my rock star, she makes everyone in the group happy.”  (Bibi is Swahili for Grandmother) So what’s Helga’s secret? She cites a strong positive attitude and living by this mantra: It is good to try something we think we cannot do because we find out, we can.

Helga at the summit / The surprise celebration at the trail gate following the trek

Find out why Helga set her sights on conquering Mount Kilimanjaro and details about the trek in her article, Kilimanjaro Adventure – Why Climb the Mountain?

Cheetahs usually get all the glory when it comes to speed – after all, they are the fastest land animals, with top speeds of about 70 mph – but cheetahs would never win a marathon. Cheetahs are unbeatable in the 100 yard dash but distances beyond 100 yards cause these cats to overheat. Ostriches on the other hand, are not only fast but are also one of the most efficient runners. These humongous birds use half of the energy humans do at their top speed, which allows them to run longer distances.

The secret to the ostrich’s efficiency lies in the “spring” in their step. According to a recent study, “Ostriches generate over twice as much power from recoil of elastic energy stored in tendons than humans, which means they need less muscle power to run at the same speed.”

Read more about a recent study featured on BBC Earth News drawing comparisons between the ostrich and the human gait.

Source: BBC Earth News

At 22 years old, Jornet has an impressive list of accomplishments under his belt, winning both international running and skiing competitions. He is sponsored by Salomon which takes him to some of the most rugged mountains on the planet to train and compete while testing Salomon’s gear.

Typically, a successful Kili climb is dependent on how well, and if, your body acclimatizes to high altitude. The more time you allow for the ascent, the better. How can anyone make it up to 19,340’ within hours? See the video below for a look into Jornet’s intense training program (which he performs at altitude), which animal he uses as inspiration to perfect his climbing technique, and his unwavering positive attitude. He says, “When you train, anything is possible.”

Click here to view the embedded video.

You don’t have to be super-human to get to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro! Find out more about training and acclimatization.

Earlier this year, Jimmy trekked Mount Kilimanjaro with Thomson Safaris for the Summit on the Summit celebrity charity climb that included the likes of Emile Hirsch, Jessica Biel, and Kenna, and was filmed for a documentary on MTV.

Listen to the interview below, where we caught up with Jimmy via phone and chatted about his experience on Africa’s tallest mountain.

As a member of our marketing department, Ali reviews countless photos of Tanzania and Mt. Kilimanjaro, so she was thrilled to finally be on the other side of the photograph and experience the mountain for herself. She joined our 6-day Umbwe Route trek, which is one of the more demanding ascents on the mountain.

Ali enjoyed the challenge of the climb and shared with us that the push to the summit required not only physical strength but also a healthy dose of mental fortitude. She said, “Altitude can humble you in an instant – you really have to dig deep and want it! My guides and fellow trekkers not only made the trip fun but also offered an incredible amount of support. It’s an experience I’ll never forget.”

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Read more Thomson Safaris Kilimanjaro reviews here

Listen to the podcast below to learn more about this Thomson trek; Erica’s specialized off-road wheelchair; how she and fellow challenged athlete, Tara Butcher, stayed motivated during the climb; and Erica’s future plans and goals.

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Last weekend, Through the Roof, a documentary about the climb, premiered in Carlsbad, California. The film received great reviews as well as a standing ovation! Click on the image below to watch the documentary trailer.

www.throughtheroofmovie.com

Coming soon to the Thomson Safaris blog:
an exclusive interview with Erica Davis!

Melissa Arnot, famed Everest mountaineer and trekker/leader for this climb, said, “This is the largest group I’ve ever seen have 100% success on the summit of any mountain.”

We are proud to have been part of such an important and successful trek.
Watch the full documentary here.

Pictured above: Jason Walsh, Kick Kennedy, Santi White, Alexandra Cousteau, Elizabeth Gore, Dr. Greg Allgood, Lupe Fiasco, Michael Muller, Emile Hirsch, Melissa Arnot, Simon Isaac, Jessica Biel, Kenna, Isabelle Lucas, Bernise Ang, Jimmy Chin

Katie, our Kilimanjaro Program Manager was also on this trek.
Read about her experiences here.

Click here to view the embedded video.

We are so proud of challenged athletes, Erica and Tara, and their crew from the C.H.E.K Institute! As promised, we have some photos to share with you from their inspiring trek. Derek, the team coordinator, adds a final reflection: “A couple quick thoughts on what we just did. First and foremost which sticks out in many of our minds is something that will never be able to be taken away from Erica or even us, the first female paraplegic on the summit of Kilimanjaro. I have written it many times or said it but the faces of those coming down, absolutely defeated in exhaustion, seeing us going up, was absolutely priceless.  Most people just stopped and starred and were like “how in the hell or why in the hell are you doing that”. Well the truth is, why not.  Erica was great and never got mad or down, and neither did Tara for that matter.  Both girls gritted their teeth, and kept climbing. But both of those girls were going to make that summit. And they did.  It was freezing, high and just absolutely exhausting, but they did it.”

Check out some photos from the inspiring trek!

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Our Kilimanjaro operations have been busy these past few months! Our latest endeavor involves a partnership with the C.H.E.K Institute to lead two challenged athletes, Erica Davis and Tara Butcher, to the top of Mt. Kilimanjaro. If Erica makes it, she will be the first female paraplegic to reach the summit. Both of the girls’ stories are inspiring (see the video below); their efforts and proceeds will benefit the Challenged Athletes Foundation. We’ll keep you updated on their climb, which begins next week.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Through the Roof – TEASER from Captured Life Productions on Vimeo.

Thomson Safaris was proud to be the official outfitter of the trekking group, Summit on the Summit. We successfully lead activists and celebrities such as Kenna, Jessica Biel, Emile Hirsch and Alexandra Cousteau, amongst others, to Kilimanjaro’s summit to raise awareness and funds for clean water initiatives in developing countries, including Tanzania. Donations from their efforts go to providing clean drinking water through The Children’s Safe Drinking Water Program, United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR), and Water For People’s Playpump Technology.

Katie, our Kilimanjaro coordinator, trekked along with this group. We’re happy to report that she made it to the summit too!

Katie, our Kilimanjaro Coordinator, is off to Mount Kilimanjaro today! She will be climbing the mountain again via the Umbwe Route. We’ll keep you posted on any news we receive from her trek and safari. Good luck, Katie!