By Mubiru Ivan
Four mountaineers have embarked on ‘the ‘Seven Summits Africa 2018 Expedition’ that shall see them climbing Africa’s 10 highest mountain peaks within four weeks.
The team from Mauritius initiated their quest at the Rwenzori Mountains that straddle Uganda and Democratic Republic of Congo.
After climbing Rwenzori’s four peaks that include Africa’s third highest peak, the mountaineers will then summit six more African peaks; one after the other.
Other peaks are Mt Kenya’s Lenana, Nelion and Batian , Mt Meru peak , the technical peak of Mawenzi and Uhuru Peak on Mt Kilimanjaro.
The seven Summits Africa challenge was launched in 2017 and it’s an annual expedition of regional mountaineering, created by adventurers and conservationists to bring awareness to the unexplored technical mountains on the African continent.
“This challenge is aimed at selecting, training and sharing skills in preparation for Mt Everest expedition,”said Carel Verhoef, organizer and seven Summits Africa pioneer.
Adding, “These four African mountaineers are the first hopefuls out of 10 that will make part of the Pan African 2020/21 Mt Everest expedition,”
Mr. Verhoef further revealed that this year they want to challenge adventurers and technical mountaineers by climbing more mountains than the flagship summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro.
“This year we are adding a technical climb of Mawenzi Peak on Mt Kilimanjaro, a technical peak and the 4th highest on the continent. We want to challenge the adventurers and technical mountaineers,” he said
In 2019, there will be space for more 10 climbers, for those who dare follow the footsteps of Team Mauritius.
