TOMISLAV CVITANUŠIĆ
Africa
At the Top of
TOMISLAV CVITANUŠIĆ, TRIATHLETE AND BOSNIAN-HERZEGOVINIAN MOUNTAINEER, TOGETHER WITH A GROUP OF MOUNTAINEERS FROM B&H, SERBIA, MONTENEGRO AND CROATIA, SUMMITED THE HIGHEST POINT IN AFRICA—UHURU PEAK—THAT SITS ON MOUNT KILIMANJARO. THIS IS HIS ODYSSEY Text and photos: Tomislav Cvitanušić
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ount Kilimanjaro is a volcanic crater dominating with its three peaks the border between Tanzania and Kenya. At a massive height of 5,895 metres above sea level, Uhuru Peak is the African continent’s highest peak. Rising 4,600 metres from its base to Uhuru Peak, Kilimanjaro is the tallest free-standing mountain rise in the world. To protect its numerous endangered plants and animal species, Kilimanjaro National Park was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
ADVENTURE STARTS AT THE AIRPORT The ascent to Kilimanjaro is also the ascent to one of the seven peaks on each of the seven continents known as the Seven Summits. So far, the only Bosnian and Herzegovinian to have fulfilled his dream and scaled the seven summits is Naim Logić, an exceptional man living in Arizona. I have personally summited on the highest peak in Europe—Elbrus in Russia at 5,642 m, in South America—Aconcagua in Argentina
at 6,961 m, and in North America— Denali in Alaska at 6,190 m. Making the climb to Kilimanjaro is an achievable challenge for hikers and high altitude mountaineers of all skill levels in good physical shape because it is a non-technical high altitude climb. For that reason, the number of people making the trek each year is large. The big-
“ANYONE LOOKING FOR A GOAL WILL REMAIN EMPTY WHEN IT WILL BE REACHED, BUT WHOEVER FINDS A WAY, WILL ALWAYS CARRY THE GOAL INSIDE.” Nejc Zaplotnik, The Path gest challenge most trekkers face on the climb is the thin air at high altitude, but the trick is to acclimate to the thinner air they encounter as they climb. Organised by EST Adventure, a team of climbers from Serbia, Montenegro, Croatia and Bosnia and Her-
zegovina met at Belgrade Airport. After about twenty hours of travel, we finally arrived at our destination. Adventure started at Kilimanjaro Airport. When we got our Tanzanian visas, we learned that our luggage had not arrived. The next flight was scheduled for the next day, at the same time, and we were trying to remain positive. It was going to be even more interesting to do a night-time route to the first base camp, because we were going to get off to a late start. We arrived at a hotel in Arusha, a poorly developed city by European standards, packed with sidewalk vendors selling food and souvenirs. We were only going to stay there for the night. Luckily, our luggage arrived one day late. After retrieving it, we headed out to the national park. In the car park at the entrance to the national park we met the guides and porters who were going to help and support us to the peak. This was the first time someone was carrying some of my kit and gear for me so I was a bit embarrassed. I had always carried all my gear my113
