PMB grandfather summits Mount Kilimanjaro
Astrong mindset and total belief in himself enabled a 64-year-old Pietermaritzburg grandfather to scale the lofty peaks of Mount Kilimanjaro last month.
Morganathan Naidoo, formerly from the northern areas and now living in Lincoln Meade, achieved his prized goal which was on his bucket list for the past nine years.
Mount Kilimanjaro is the fourth-most noticeable peak in terms of topography on earth. It is a popular place for hiking and climbing and is a part of the Kilimanjaro National Park. It has also been the focus of numerous scientific investigations due to melting glaciers and icefields, which are predicted to vanish between 2025 and 2035.
Naidoo, who has two grandchildren, began his training three years ago and is a member of the Midlands Hiking Club.
“I started my climb on September 23, summited on the 28th and finished on September 29,” Naidoo said.
He said he was the only South African in the group of 14 for the climb to the top of Kilimanjaro which took seven days.
“It was a difficult climb with extreme weather conditions and not for the faint hearted,” said Naidoo.
Nevertheless, he said that the atmosphere was great as the climbers supported each other and the entire group reached the summit and returned safely to base.
“I was exhilarated. It almost seems impossible until it is done. I also did not experience any altitude problems or sustain any injuries during the climb,” Naidoo said.
He added that a variety of freshly prepared meals were provided by his tour operator and chickpeas were on the menu every day.