You could say that you’re either one of two people in life; one who has climbed Mount Kilimanjaro or one who has it firmly on their bucket list.
For those of you who have climbed this iconic Mountain with DA (or indeed have it booked in the diary for the coming months!) you will know how important the crew are to keeping you motivated, and our local crew are especially important in supplying boundless enthusiasm, motivation and songs to keep you going during those tough moments.
The climb to Uhuru Peak (5896m) will usually take you between 5 and 7 days and its no mean feat!
So, how about making it up AND back in under 7 hours? Impossible you say?
Not for Professional Mountaineer Julio Ludago.
Julio is one of our Ground Crew based in Tanzania with Ahsante Tours, who has worked with us for many years, supporting and encouraging many of you to Kilimanjaro’s summit.
He is now taking on his own personal challenge, by attempting a new World Record for the fastest ascent and descent of Africa’s highest mountain. The existing World Record is held by Swiss-Ecuadorian Mountaineer Karl Egloff who complete the challenge in a mere 6 hours and 42 minutes in August 2014.
This is the time Julio is preparing to beat.
Motivated by the desire to keep the record for the climb to the roof of Africa in Tanzania and by the mentality of ‘why not me?’ Julio will embark on this immense challenge on 27th September 2015 and we will be supporting him all the way – we hope you will too!
Jo Bradshaw, who has climbed Kilimanjaro with Julio more than 15 times with DA (and has her own record in the pipeline) is fully behind his attempt,
“When I first met Julio over 5 years ago he was an assistant guide working his way up the ladder. He was a quiet individual, not one of the big characters you see on the mountain. He was watching, learning, listening, observing and all of that hard work has made him into the first class main guide that he is today and his own big character has shone through.
I know that he is rock solid, he really knows his stuff and we work so well together because we expect the same high standards in order to deliver the best possible experience for our DA clients. I’m very privileged to call him my friend and wish him all the very best for a successful world record attempt. Go for it Julio!“
Ben Keen, our experienced DA leader, has climbed two of his Kilimanjaro ascents alongside Julio and says, 'When working on any mountain, it's paramount to have trust and confidence with your ‘in-country' team as these will ultimately be the people who are going to help keep your clients safe regardless of what may lie ahead on the climb. From the first moment of meeting Julio with his huge smile and his quiet but confident manner, I knew we would all be in safe hands.
Julio has an immense amount of experience and knowledge of climbing this amazing mountain. This shines through when I watch him working with clients. Julio is strong in mind and in body but yet is gentle and humble. He gains a respect from all that work with him on his team and from the clients he is guiding. Always willing to offer a hand to those who need it, always there to carry a bag for those who are tired and always there just when I need him to chat through logistics or plans for the day. He is a talented guide and a ‘Rafiki’ (Swahili word for Friend) I am looking forward to working with again soon. The challenge which is ahead of him is huge but through his determination and talent, I am in no doubt he will succeed. Maximum respect!"
#KnowNoLimits Julio and Good Luck from DA HQ.
Follow and support Julio’s challenge by using by #TheClimbAfrica
Watch his video to find out more
