Australian Mountaineer Jamin Hepell has succeeded in breaking the world record of scaling Africa’s highest peak by trekking backwards.
The 34-year-old climber from down-under managed to accomplish the feat in less than 24 hours, walking backwards from Mweka entry point to the Uhuru Summit on Kilimanjaro and back.
Normally, when trekking to Kibo, climbers spend five days reaching Uhuru peak, which is the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro.
“I have set foot on one of the most challenging adventures of my life: attempting to break the Guinness World Record by climbing Mount Kilimanjaro backwards in under 24 hours,” said the Aussie climber.
Hepell had spent 23 hours and 50 minutes climbing up and down Kilimanjaro. He should soon be hearing from the Guinness World Record People.
Jamin ascended the 5895 meters (19,341 feet) of Africa’s highest peak, not facing the summit, but facing the journey behind him.
Hepell broke the record initially set by a South African mountaineer, Jurgen Gessaud who scaled Kilimanjaro backwards in July 1997 and managed to reach the peak after 72 hours.
The Australian adventurist recognizes the contribution of Kilimanjaro porters that is why he undertook the trip in their honor.
“Every year, thousands of climbers set out to conquer Kilimanjaro, but behind each of their successes is an unsung hero—the porter. These incredible men and women carry heavy loads, often unregulated, to make our dreams possible. But too often, their contributions are overlooked, and their treatment is far from fair,” he said.
“I’ve seen it firsthand. The backbreaking work, the long hours, the lack of proper gear, and lack of fair pay,” points out Hepell.
He said that one of the reasons for him undertaking the feat.
“To shine a light on the people who make these adventures possible and to raise funds for initiatives that support ethical standards for porters. All the money raised will go directly to the Kilimanjaro Responsible Trekking Organization,” he added.
The Kilimanjaro Responsible Trekking Organization (KRTO) is a dedicated outfit handling the proper care and treatment of porters on the mountain and life skills off the mountain.
The Australian climber explained that while the challenge pushed him to his absolute limits, but knowing that it’s for a cause that can create real change is what’s kept him going and eventually conquered both the peak and the dream