Inspiring Climb Stories

78-year old summiteer

HELGA AUSMAN

Helga is not only one of Thomson’s oldest trekkers, she’s one of the oldest women to ever summit Kilimanjaro. She attributes her achievement to both an active lifestyle and a positive attitude.

We were particularly inspired by Helen’s mantra: Don’t be afraid of failure because it is no more permanent than is success. It is good to try something we think we cannot do, because we often find out we can.

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Trekking for a cause

WATERCAN

In much of Africa, clean water is hard to come by, and millions live in unsanitary conditions.

WaterCan works to ensure everyone has access to safe, clean water. Their Kilimanjaro trek with Thomson brought vital attention to the global water crisis, and helped raise much needed funds.

Thomson is proud to have led all 22 members of the trekking team to the summit.

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Overcoming injury

DON DUGER

Don Duger had dreamed of scaling Kilimanjaro for as long as he could remember, but shortly after he finally began planning his dream trip with his family, he got bad news: he needed two major back surgeries.

But Don wouldn’t let that keep him from his dream. Just over six months after his second surgery, he was standing atop Uhuru Peak!

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Trekking for a cause

KAREN CAPALDI

When Karen was researching her upcoming Kilimanjaro trek, she was struck by one thing in particular: the hard work and dedication of porters on the mountain, many of whom are treated unfairly by budget climbing outfitters.

Karen wanted to help, so before even coming to Tanzania, she set up a partnership with SmartWool, through which she gathered over 1,200 pairs of socks to donate to the Kilimanjaro Porter’s Assistance Project!

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Friendship and support

EMILY & DEB

A week before she was scheduled to trek Kilimanjaro with her friend Deb, Emily was diagnosed with breast cancer, and had to cancel the trip she’d been looking forward to for so long.

Determined to fulfill Emily’s dream, Deb brought Emily along anyway…in the form of a cardboard cut-out inspired by the children’s book Flat Stanley. Deb carried “Flat Emily” all the way to the summit, helping her friend reach Uhuru Peak from halfway across the world!

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World Record Breaker

VANESSA O'BRIEN

Vanessa’s Kilimanjaro summit was especially celebratory: it marked the final success in her grueling Seven Summits challenge (a goal serious mountaineers set, to reach the summit of each continent’s highest peak).

There have been just 50 women in history to have successfully climbed all of the Seven Summits; Vanessa is the first woman to have done so in just 10 months (smashing the previous record of 12 months)!

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