Category: Mount Kilimanjaro

Nat Shaffir, a Holocaust survivor and the first to successfully climb Mount Kilimanjaro was physically exhausted but overjoyed after reaching the summit. His father's words, "Never give up," have been a constant source of motivation for him throughout his life. Shaffir's family's dairy farm in Romania was confiscated by the military when he was just five years old, and they were forced to relocate to the Jewish ghetto in Iasi. There, Shaffir lived in poverty with his two sisters and parents, who were given manual labour jobs and forbidden from attending school. Shaffir's father's words, "Never give up," have kept him going for his entire life. Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, standing 19,340 feet above sea level, requires physical fitness and determination due to its extreme altitude. He kept a slow but steady pace on the mountain, encountering adversity on some parts of the terrain and struggled to eat due to altitude sickness. Shaffir climbed Kilimanjaro to inspire others to challenge themselves and conquer their own metaphorical mountains. He has a message for those experiencing hardship, difficulties, atrocities, and hate: "To people who are experiencing hardship, difficulties, atrocities, and hate – never give up." Shaffir moved to the United States in 1961 and has five children and 12 grandchildren, all named after family members lost during the Holocaust. His Early Years In 1942, at the tender age of five, a priest arrived at Shaffir's family-owned dairy farm in Romania. Shaffir was acquainted with the priest, as he would pay regular visits to solicit donations. However, this particular visit was different. The priest was accompanied by a police officer and two soldiers, which seemed rather unusual. The priest, familiar with Shaffir's family, directed the officer's attention towards them, remarking, "These are Jews." Without warning, the military seized control of the farm, confiscating both

Wendy Chioji, a former Florida news presenter, died on Monday at the age of 57 after an 18-year battle with cancer. Chioji initially revealed her condition on air at WESH-Channel 2 in Central Florida in 2001. Her declaration 'dispelled dread in other women' and'removed some stigma,' according to her. She performed incredible things during her 18-year struggle with illness, including climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, competing Ironman triathlons, and overcoming cancer twice. Since her death, she has been remembered by family, friends, and coworkers. Wendy Chioji, a former Central Florida news reporter who inspired viewers with her bold and open attitude to cancer treatment, died Monday night at the age of 57. Chioji originally revealed she had Stage II breast cancer on a WESH-Channel 2 newscast in 2001. Her candor in sharing her diagnosis established her reputation as a fearless, powerful, and compassionate leader. Alan Chiogioji, her brother, sent a message on Facebook confirming his sister's death. Wendy Chioji, my beautiful, powerful, feisty, badass sister, lost her battle with cancer today,' he added. She lived every day to the fullest, from climbing mountains to competing in triathlons to touring the world.' 'She never allowed her illness keep her from accomplishing what she wanted to do. She is my hero, and I already miss her.' Wendy worked at WESH-Channel 2 for 20 years until departing in 2008 to go to Park City, Utah. While in Utah, she continued to tell her story in special TV appearances and the 'Growing Boulder' series. Wendy was unquestionably exceptional, according to Marc Middleton, founder of 'Growing Bolder' and a former WESH colleague. 'Wendy Chioji was one of a kind,' he added. Our legacy, they say, is simply the stories people tell about us after we're gone. For the rest of our lives, we'll be sharing beautiful, uplifting,

What you need to know if you're on a Mount Kilimanjaro trekking tour with the failed travel agent. The travel giant company,  Thomas Cook collapses after last-minute bailout plans to save the failing firm which has been running for 178-years. The tour company based in the U.K has ceased to trade with immediate effect, this is according to the United Kingdom Civil Aviation Authority. Thomas Cook has gone ahead to publish travel advice for tourists on holiday with the affected company at the following website thomascook.caa.co.uk. Apart from Mount Kilimanjaro climbers that have booked with Thomas Cook, many tourists around the world have also been affected by this situation either while on holiday or with long term plans of coming to Tanzania for Mount Kilimanjaro trekking tours with Thomas Cook. Fortunately, we can advise you what to do next and to claim a refund on your tour to Kilimanjaro if Thomas Cook goes into administration. Atol protection for Kilimanjaro climbers The Atol travel plan protects people who buy Mount Kilimanjaro package holidays that are all-inclusive plus a flight, through UK tour operators and agents like in the case of Thomas Cook. If you have booked a Mount Kilimanjaro package or just a flight to Tanzania through the Thomas cook, Atol protection ensures you do not lose your money or be left stranded in Tanzania as Atol protection means they will be flown back home free of charge. Clients who have already booked and actually paid for an upcoming Mount Kilimanjaro climb with Thomas Cook should a right to a refund as part of the Atol scheme. Unfortunately, if you didn’t book your tour as part of a package you might not be Atol protected, but you may still be able to claim a refund of some sort through your travel

Well, who has never heard of it? Mt. Kilimanjaro, the icon, the name so engraved in most of us, well, I presume most of us. It would be safe to say that but then again this series of articles would stop here. This African icon nicknamed the 'roof of Africa has intrigued the local population as well as early European explorers. In 1885 Jim Thompson made an unsupported claim that Kilimanjaro, to the locals meant Mountain (Kilima) of Greatness (Njaro). This is understandable considering the tribes living around the mountain and their reverence to the mountain in relation to their beliefs and day to day life. The Roof of Africa looks imposing and beautiful all at the same time even from afar.   Our towering mountain is located in East Africa, in the beautiful country of Tanzania. Mount Kilimanjaro is located near the border of Tanzania and Kenya, just 3 degrees south of the equator, and yes, it will be a surprise on you upon seeing snow on the inviting mountain summit. So towering is the mountain that its visible from the towns of Moshi, Arusha, in Tanzania and also from the Tsavo and Amboseli parks not very far away in neighbouring Kenya.   The exact mountain specifications are 24 miles wide, and 49 miles long. And the mountain boasts of 3 craters that add to the air of mystery that Kilimanjaro has. The volcanic craters are Kibo, Shira and Mawenzi. The smallest but the oldest of the peaks is Shira standing at 3962 m. Fortunately or unfortunately, depending on your stand on mother nature, the volcanic centre became extinct.   Kibo is categorized as dormant and not extinct and it's the highest of the three peaks. Standing at 5895 m high and at 1.5 miles wide. Mount Kilimanjaro's Uhuru peak

On Friday, wildlife rangers, soldiers, and large volunteer teams worked to put out a major forest fire that had been burning for over a week in Mount Kenya national park. The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), the government agency in charge of national parks, claimed the fire started on Saturday and that it had damaged more than 80,000 hectares (200,000 acres) surrounding Mount Kenya. KWS claimed in a statement that "we have made considerable progress in suppressing the Mt Kenya fire," but that new breakouts have been reported. Shuttle runs were flown by helicopters to help the volunteers who were working in the forest to put out the fire. Others created massive water drops to put out the flames. The mountain's top, which stands at 5,199 meters (17,057 feet) and is Africa's second tallest after Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, was coated in ice and snow patches above the clouds of smoke. Rangers from the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), the Kenya Forest Service (KFS), and the Kenya Defence Force (KDF) were among those who fought the fire (KDF). "Hundreds of community people, volunteers, KWS and KFS rangers, and KDF teams are busy creating fire breaks and putting out flames on the mountain," the Mount Kenya Trust, an organization dedicated to forest conservation, stated on Friday. The park straddles the equator, some 193 kilometers (120 miles) northeast of Nairobi, with the mountain at its heart. The United Nations designated Mount Kenya as a World Heritage Monument in 1997, and climate change is listed as "possibly one of the most important long-term dangers to the site."