Cape Town - It is tough enough for the most physically fit to summit the highest peak in Africa, but when you are in a wheelchair the challenge is that much greater.
Chaeli Mycroft, 20, will take on Mount Kilimanjaro, with eight other climbers, next Thursday. She is believed to be the first female quadriplegic to tackle the mountain.
Mycroft’s cerebral palsy has confined her to a wheelchair but she will make her way up the mountain in a specialised wheelchair. Mycroft said she was excited about the climb, which is just over a week away.
“I think we have an incredible team of strong-minded people and we’re all determined to make it work and bring back some amazing stories. I’ve always wanted to show people that people with disabilities are capable of anything.”
She raised the R50 000, for the trip, on her own by doing motivational talks and Mycroft added that Kilimanjaro was the “perfect challenge” for her.
“I have had two major overnight training climbs among other more minor climbs; attended gym, had sessions in the altitude chamber at Bike Plus as far as physical preparation. On a more exciting note, I had an awesome blue Selk’Bag onesie made for me and it can withstands temperatures of up to -13 degrees Celsius.”
Her custom-made wheelchair cost around R24 000 and was sponsored by Byron Keulemans of BOSS Models.
For the five days it will take to reach the summit Mycroft will be accompanied by seven others, including Taylor Jackson who said he was a bit nervous but excited about the climb.
“Climbing Kilimanjaro is something I’ve wanted to do since I first went there when I was 11, and climbing for such a great cause was the perfect motivation to finally do it.”
Jackson said he is training on the mountains around the city to ensure he will be well prepared for the climb.
Online travel agency, Discover Africa – the official partner for the climb – offered the team the expertise of East Africa consultant Carel Verhoef, who has climbed Kilimanjaro once a year for the last nine years
Verhoef will be leading the team and making sure that they are safe.
Cape Argus