Category: Mount Kilimanjaro

They came, saw, conquered the highest free-standing mountain in the world, and set a world record in the process. A group of courageous ladies has ascended Africa's tallest peak, with goalposts and nets in tow, to play a 90-minute football match on Mount Kilimanjaro, something many felt was impossible. A team of 30 footballers from 20 different countries, including retired US international Lori Lindsey and former England midfielder Rachel Unitt, completed an 11-a-side competition at over 19,000 feet, an altitude never previously achieved. The ladies, who range in age from 18 to 66, played in harsh circumstances on a volcanic ash field, using flour to outline the pitch and trekking poles as corner flags. The game between Volcano FC and Glacier FC concluded in a 0-0 draw, although the outcome was irrelevant because the challenge's main objective was to expose the inequity women experience in sports. Erin Blankenship, an American defender and co-founder of event organizers Equal Playing Fields, said: "You can't deny that you have a team of athletes competing at an altitude of over 19,000 feet. It makes no difference what gender they are." Who was referring the Match on Kilimanjaro's crater In August - 2017, Rwandan Salima Mukansanga officiated the world's highest football match atop Mount Kilimanjaro. A friendly match between Volcano FC and Glacier FC ended in a goalless draw atop one of Africa's highest peaks. In a game aimed at promoting women's sports, it was only natural that the historic event be overseen by a Mukansanga referee. Oxygen Deficiency on Kilimanjaro. Olympic champion Lindsey Vonn, who represented the United States in the 2011 World Cup and the 2012 London Olympics, was among the participants. She wanted to raise awareness about the challenges that women and girls experience when participating in sports. Before leaving on the

Two adolescent brothers have climbed Mount Kilimanjaro to raise money for a charity established in honour of a kayaker they knew who drowned at sea. Following Dominic Jackson's death in February, his family founded PLanB to encourage safety preparation for outdoor experiences and the usage of personal locator beacons (PLBs). Mr Jackson went missing on Sunday, February 5th, after failing to return after a kayaking session off the coast of Aberdeenshire's Portsoy. His corpse was discovered in water at Lybster, roughly 50 miles from Portsoy in the Highlands, four days later. Mr Jackson was born in Uckfield, near Brighton, but spent the last 13 years of his life in Aberdeenshire, where he ran a gardening business in the Laurencekirk region. Harvey Dick-Reid, 17, and Archie Dick-Reid, 14, knew Mr Jackson through his work at the Fasque Castle estate in Fettercairn, and they were eager to help PLanB obtain funds. On a trip with their school, Lathallan, the pair raised more than £1,200 by climbing Africa's highest mountain. Shared Dom Jackson's story with #seakayak group on FB great response & a supportive community hoping it can make a difference #planbcharity pic.twitter.com/hSdEYpEpYx— Plan B Charity (@PlanBCharity) July 14, 2017 "Our children were pretty familiar with Dom via his employment at the estate," their mother Heather Dick-Reid said. He was always a very wonderful man who we adored. "The boys had already committed to the climb last year, and we realized it was a chance for them to earn money, and they both expressed an interest in raising money for PLanB." "Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro was an incredible feat, especially given their age." The guys, who were part of a group of 18 students, set out at midnight on July 14 and arrived at the Tanzanian mountain's 5,895m top nine hours later. Mr Jackson's

Marin Minamiya, a Japanese youngster, has previously climbed Mount Everest and the highest peaks on six other continents, as well as making a trip to the South Pole. The 19-year-old university student now has the North Pole on her mind as she attempts to become the youngest person to climb all seven summits and go to the poles. According to a website dedicated to the challenge, just 51 people have achieved the achievement known as the Explorers Grand Slam. Not bad for someone who considers conquering towering peaks to be merely a "hobby." "I am not a climber," Minamiya told AFP in a recent interview in Tokyo. "I do not wish to continue climbing high peaks." "I love the journey there and meeting new people." "It's all about pushing yourself; you have to go past your own boundaries and overcome your weaknesses." It's almost like meditation, which I really appreciate." Minamiya, who just signed a sponsorship contract with a major Japanese apparel retailer, was inspired by a school trip to Hong Kong, where her family had relocated for business. The 13-year-old was completely immersed in the online world at the time, frequently conversing with pals via social media rather than in person. Minamiya was fascinated after her class traveled into part of the city's steep terrain in southern China. "It was quite refreshing." "It was unfamiliar territory for us," she explained. "We were conversing in real-time, using analog maps and compasses, and we thought to ourselves, 'My goodness.' I didn't realize there was so much beauty in the world.'" - 'Way too adamant' - After that, she began climbing mountains in Nepal and Tibet. She had a goal for herself when she was 17 to complete the Explorers Grand Slam. To complete the circuit, she just needs to reach the

Gugu Zulu, a South African rally driver and local media star, died on Monday while participating in a Nelson Mandela Day charity climb on Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania with his wife. Zulu, 38, a three-time national rally champion who went on to become a popular racing writer and broadcaster, was part of a group of 46 climbers trying Africa's highest peak when he began to have respiratory problems. The Nelson Mandela Foundation issued a statement saying, "It is with a heavy heart that we report that one of the climbers on the Trek4Mandela, Gugu Zulu, lost his life while summiting Kilimanjaro early this morning." According to the foundation, Zulu was climbing with his wife Letshego and a group of other climbers when he "had breathing troubles." "We've been told that the medical staff did everything they could to preserve his life." He was part of a group of climbers attempting to reach the summit of Kilimanjaro on Mandela's birthday. The walk was in support of 350,000 disadvantaged adolescent girls who are unable to attend school due to a lack of sanitary supplies. President Jacob Zuma of South Africa paid tribute to Zulu. "We are extremely grieved by this unfortunate and painful occurrence, which occurred on a day when we should be joyful and honoring Madiba's legacy," Zuma said, using his clan name to refer to Mandela. Zulu wrote on his Facebook page on Saturday that he was suffering from flu-like symptoms and that he was "struggling with the mountain but tackling it step by step!!" The news of Zulu's death "devastated" Sello Hatang, the CEO of the Nelson Mandela Foundation, who had recruited him to climb Africa's tallest peak. The party had intended to meet on July 18, the late anti-apartheid hero and South African President Nelson Mandela's birthday. In

David Bridges lost his life in a tragic avalanche that occurred east of Mount Everest in the Himalayas back in 1999. After 17 years, hikers stumbled upon his frozen body embedded in the ice. During the autumn of 1999, David Bridges, an experienced climber and skilled cameraman, met his untimely demise in an avalanche while on Shishapangma, located to the east of the renowned Mount Everest in the majestic Himalayan region. It wasn't until this spring that hikers came across his preserved body, encased in ice. His brother, Dan Bridges, is now undergoing rigorous training to bring David back home. Despite his previous climbs on Mount Rainier and adventurous treks through the mountains of Nepal, it has been 14 years since Dan's last hiking expedition. Striving to regain his physical conditioning, he is determined to be a part of the recovery team. Armed with his brother's ax, Dan is preparing for the challenging journey that lies ahead. Touched by his family's quest, generous individuals have been donating equipment and supplies to aid Dan in his mission to provide his brother with a fitting final resting place. We offer our heartfelt wishes for success to Dan as he embarks on this poignant and remarkable endeavor. On October 5, 1999, Dave Bridges and Alex Lowe were caught in an avalanche while exploring a possible ski route on the southwest side of Shishapangma. The remains of Bridges and Lowe were discovered this spring. Media attention has primarily focused on Lowe, celebrated as one of the world's leading mountaineers. Bridges, often labeled as a mere "cameraman" or "filmmaker", was much more than that. A talented rock climber, alpinist, and paraglider, Bridges was a cherished individual whose tragic passing deeply impacted those who knew him. Described by his climbing partner Brad Singer as one of