Photographer Sean Wisedale became the first South African to have stood on the summit of each of the seven continents’ highest mountains on Thursday when he conquered the one closest to home — Tanzania’s Kilimanjaro.
”The view from the top is awesome and it is a fantastic experience. It’s been a very cold night, but I’ve been striving to climb the Seven Summits for a big part of my life and now I have done it. I can only thank God, Discovery and my family for this achievement,” he said.
Wisedale and his 15-member team stood on the summit of Uhuru Peak (5 895m) at 8am on Thursday, looking down on the plains of Africa.
Just less than a year ago he reached the summit of the world’s highest mountain, Mount Everest.
Wisedale’s attempt was sponsored by Discovery, the personal medical insurers.
General manager Suzanne Stevens said: ”Discovery is thrilled that Wisedale has achieved such an extraordinary feat, and written his name in the history books.”
Stevens said Wisedale represented pioneering spirit and determination in reaching seemingly impossible goals.
”We are extremely proud that we were able to support Sean in achieving his dream of becoming the first African to climb the Seven Summits.”
Wisedale climbed Mount Vinson in Antarctica in 1998, Aconcagua in South America in 2001, North America’s Mount McKinley in 2002 and Mount Everest in May 2003. He climbed Russia’s Mount Elbrus in August 2003 and Carstensz Pyramid in Indonesia during October 2003.
Wisedale and his team will descend from the summit to Mweka Hut at 3 100m, where they will spend the night.
They are expected back in South Africa on Saturday. — Sapa