The Oldest Person to Climb Mount Kilimanjaro

The Oldest Person to Climb Mount Kilimanjaro : It’s no longer only a “young man or young woman’s game” to climb Mount Kilimanjaro. The incredible accomplishments of various elderly climbers who have successfully reached the Roof of Africa throughout the years have now been acknowledged by the Guinness Book of Records. In this article we are going to cover and discuss about the oldest personal holds the records of climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, Continue reading to learn some of the most motivational tales about the oldest climbers of Mount Kilimanjaro in history.

Who are the oldest people to climb Mount Kilimanjaro? From the current record holder to the very first record breaker in this category, let’s take a closer look at everyone who earned the title of the oldest climber of Kilimanjaro:

1. Anne Lorimor (89 years old) – July 12th, 2019.
2. Angela Vorobeva (86 years old)-October 29th, 2015
3. Robert J. Wheeler (85 years old)–2 October 2014

ANNE LORIMOR (89 YEARS OLD) – JULY 12TH, 2019

At age 89, Arizona great-grandmother Anne Lorimor set a record for the oldest climber of Mount Kilimanjaro (19,341 feet). At age 85, Lorimor initially conquered Kilimanjaro in July 2015, making history as the oldest woman to do it. Her record didn’t last long, though, as another ardent hiker, Angela Vorobeva, conquered Mount Kilimanjaro in October 2015 at the age of 86 years and 267 days.

Dr. Fred Distelhorst, who at age 87 became the oldest climber of Kilimanjaro in 2017, quickly broke this record. These record-breaking octogenarians did not dissuade Lorimor, who set her sights on another peak climb in 2019. She started her adventure earlier that month from Paradise Valley, Arizona, to Tanzania, and on the morning of July 18, 2019, she successfully ascended Uhuru Peak (5,895m).

Lorimor’s attempt to reach the peak was off to a rocky start when she fell just before the ascent and experienced side agony the entire way. She used the Rongai Route, the sole northern route up Kilimanjaro. Even the most intrepid travelers may find this somewhat difficult route challenging due to its high final ascent. The retired university instructor persevered despite the harm, diving deep to find the strength to climb Africa’s highest peak.

In order to aid the underserved, Lorimor established the organization Creating Exciting Futures in 2004. Although she is not a professional mountaineer, her website states that her goal is to “combine my love of mountaineering with my passion for assisting youngsters.” We are really proud of Anne for her accomplishments and sincerely hope she keeps this record for a very long time.

ANGELA VOROBEVA (86 YEARS OLD)-OCTOBER 29TH, 2015

At the age of 86 years and 267 days, Angela Vorobeva is now the oldest person to climb Kilimanjaro. Vorobeva was born on February 4th, 1929, in Russia. The expedition set out from Londorossi Gate (2,360 m) on the Lemosho route on October 23, 2015, and arrived at Uhuru Peak (5,895 m) on Kilimanjaro at noon on October 29, 2015.

The team stayed at the peak for an hour to celebrate their outstanding accomplishment and take in the breathtaking surroundings and views from the top of the Roof of Africa. The summit push reportedly took 13 hours, according to an interview she gave to Altezza (the organization in charge of the expedition). Despite claiming to be exhausted, Vorobeva was able to muster the strength and inspiration to press through to the top. Her vital indicators were perfect the entire way, peaking near the summit with an oxygen saturation level of 89% and a heart rate of 70.

Vorobeva bemoaned the fact that going backwards was never an option. She claimed to have danced the tango with her guide at 4,000 meters, and at 5,000 meters, she saw an amazing sunrise. Vorobeva said, “The date for climbing Kilimanjaro was picked for a reason. I promised my sister Lydia 80 years ago that I would travel for the two of us. My dear sister was born in 1923, six years older than I was. She was barely 12 days and 4 hours old when she passed away from pneumonia. I was very fond of her. On the day I summited, it was her birthday. I honor her with this climb.

We assume there was tremendous jubilation at Mweka Gate (1,640 m), where the troops descended after reaching the peak. When discussing her preparation, Vorobeva stated, “I walk a lot and rarely have blood pressure issues. Exercise and a cold shower are the first things I do in the morning. I suppose that was all I had planned. The Guinness Book of World Records has officially recognized Angela’s incredible achievement, and she is one of the oldest person to climb Kilimanjaro.

1. ROBERT J. WHEELER (85 YEARS OLD)-2 OCTOBER 2014

On October 2, 2014, Dr. Robert J. Wheeler, who is 85 years and 201 days old, broke the record for the oldest climber of Kilimanjaro in northeastern Tanzania. Mount Kilimanjaro is the highest mountain in Africa, rising 19,341 feet. Wheeler undoubtedly likes to round his age up, unlike most people. “I wanted to show that senior citizens can be active despite health issues,” Wheeler exclaimed. He undoubtedly accomplished it, breaking the record for the oldest climber of Kilimanjaro in the process. Now, Guinness World Records has approved his achievement.

Wheeler was accompanied by his son, Jack, who is also named William. The expedition started with a three-day, 20-mile climb up Kilimanjaro’s Marangu trail, the most well-known route, to set up a base camp about 15,500 feet above sea level. Before the nine-hour ascent to the summit, which Wheeler described as “the hardest bit,” two days were spent acclimatizing.

Wheeler has already scaled Mount Fuji in Japan (12,388 feet) and Mount Aconcagua in Argentina (22,837 feet), which is the tallest mountain outside of Asia. Due to his advanced age, Wheeler, who is from Webster Groves, Missouri, found that this most recent journey was the most difficult thing he had ever completed. He formerly worked as a psychology professor at Saint Louis University and served in the army, rising to the rank of lieutenant colonel, The Oldest Person to Climb Mount Kilimanjaro

The excursion was planned by Boulder, Colorado-based Adventures Within Reach, whose owner called Wheeler “an inspiration… to all of us” for becoming the oldest person to summit of Mount Kilimanjaro.

 He praised Wheeler for demonstrating that anyone, regardless of age, is capable of “putting one foot in front of the other.” Wheeler acknowledged the praise, saying, “Our guides performed a terrific job, enabling us to peak.” Dick Byerly, who was previously the oldest person to climb Kilimanjaro, received support from Experiences within Reach, a company that specializes in individualized and reasonably priced adventures.

In his Book Mountains and Minds, Wheeler describes his experiences as the oldest climber of Kilimanjaro, mixed with information about studies into the motivations behind such strenuous endeavors. His experience of climbing Mount Kilimanjaro will make for a fascinating new chapter in the second edition.

Conclusion: Dr. Wheeler’s record has now been surpassed several times. By Dr. Fred Distelhorst in 2017 at the age of 87, Angela Vorobeva at the age of 86 years and 267 days, and Anne Lorimor at the age of 89 in 2019 who is presently the oldest climber of Kilimanjaro. The Oldest Person to Climb Kilimanjaro post is now complete and these stories serve as a reminder that age is just a number and that you can accomplish amazing things at any age.