Why Do I Want to Climb Kilimanjaro?
Eight years ago, I started hiking. Since then, I’ve camped, backpacked, and constantly searched for bigger challenges. My journey has taken me to rugged trails, demanding treks, and remote wilderness. And now, I’m training for my biggest adventure yet—climbing Mount Kilimanjaro.
As a person of size and color, I’ve often been met with looks of doubt. People sometimes see me on the trail or in outdoor spaces and assume I don’t belong. That doesn’t bother me. I’ve been looked at my whole life. I’m usually the biggest person in the room, and I’m okay with that. Because every step I take, every summit I reach, proves one thing—I do belong.
So why Kilimanjaro?
Honestly, until the summer of 2024, climbing that mountain had never crossed my mind. But then, I started researching. I saw images of its towering peak, read about its history, and something inside me clicked. That mountain called to me.
For years, I’ve been fascinated by Mount Everest—not as a goal, but as a symbol of endurance and the human spirit. There’s something about Everest that draws people to it, a pull they can’t ignore. And now, I feel that same pull toward Kilimanjaro.
I know I can do this. I know it will take discipline, strength, and relentless training. Without preparation, I won’t make it to the summit. But that’s the challenge I crave.
And for the record—no, Kilimanjaro is not a stepping stone to Everest. I have no desire to climb that mountain. Kilimanjaro is its own journey, its own test.
On June 27, 2025, I’ll take my first steps toward the summit. And when I reach the top, it won’t just be about conquering a mountain—it will be about proving, once again, that I belong exactly where I am.
