Kilimanjaro
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Mount Kilimanjaro
Mount Kilimanjaro is Africa's highest summit at 5895 meters tall (19,341 feet). Kilimanjaro is a giant dormant stratovolcano, famous for its glacial cap and wide biodiversity, particularly its cloud forest. Montane ocotea forests cover the wet southern slope, cassipourea and juniperus forests on the dry northern slope, and subalpine Erica forests at the highest elevations above 4000 meters.
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Simon Mtuy
Endurance runner, Simon Mtuy, navigating Kilimanjaro National Park with ease. Simon was 16 when he first climbed to the top of Kilimanjaro, and has since ascended to the summit more than 400 times. He is a former world record holder for the fastest supported (with assistance) ascent and descent of Kilimanjaro (6 hours up; 2 hours 27 minutes down). His record was broken in 2010 but he still holds the record for fastest unsupported (without assistance) ascent and descent, which he completed in 9 hours and 22 minutes.
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Pre-Climb Picture
Endurance runner and protector of Mount Kilimanjaro, Simon Mtuy, with his friend, ecologist Ephraim Mwangomo, before beginning their climb to one of Ephraim's automatic weather stations.
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Arrow Glacier
Mount Kilimanjaro's ice-capped summit is disappearing at an alarmingly fast rate. Since 1910, over 80% of Kilimanjaro's ice cap has been lost. Scientists predict the glacial cap will completely vanish between 2015-2020.
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Disappearing Glacier
Simon Mtuy, and ecologist Ephraim Mwangomo, near Arrow Glacier in Kilimanjaro National Park with what is left of the disappearing glacier behind them. The glacier used to stretch to where they are standing.
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Arrow Glacier Campsite
Despite its name, Arrow Glacier no longer has a glacier - or any ice coverage, for that matter. This previous star feature of the mountain is little more than an overnight resting spot and glaring reflection of the ecological change on Mount Kilimanjaro happening. Approximately 4800 meters (15,748 feet) above sea level, Arrow Glacier Camp is one of the last pit stops before the final thousand meters climb to the top. The remaining glacier, visible at the summit, used to stretch all the way down to the campsite. An alarming indication of the severity of the problem.
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Not-So-Average Run
Kilimanjaro National Park, Tanzania: Endurance athlete, Simon Mtuy, enjoying a run at Kilimanjaro National Park. Though it takes Simon less than half a day to ascend and descend to the top of Kilimanjaro, it takes the average person over a week to reach the 5,895 meter (19,341 feet) summit. An approximate 20,000 tourists attempt full ascent of Kilimanjaro a year. Sadly, between 10 to 15 deaths are estimated to occur annually on the mountain, from severe altitude sickness, hypothermia, falls, and other medical problems.
