āI am going to climb Kilimanjaro in three months.ā This is how it started back in November 2018. The tallest free-standing mountain in the world that towers at 5895 meters (19,341 feet).
A mix of surprise, doubt and silence were among peopleās reactions. This blondieātoo fragileāwho feels cold during summer, with zero hiking experience.
Some people said, āShe will never make it. She should postpone, try something else.ā With the lack of experience and three monthsā notice to get ready, they could have been right, but my desire to tackle this challenge was much strongerāmaybe a bit of foolishness and pride.
Other people became a real source of motivation and positivity. Whether they adapted their schedule to allow me to go, gave advice on how to prepare, trained with me or wrote letters for the hike, they all started showing an incredible support in their own way.
This would be one of the biggest and hardest adventures in my life. I knew it, but if I wanted to make it, I had to leave doubts, uncertainties and peopleās judgments behind me and just go for it!
