Climbing Guide Summits Kilimanjaro 3 Times In 27 Days

Mt. Kilimanjaro is Africa's tallest peak, rising some 19,340 feet above the Serengeti plains below. Climbing it can be a bit of a challenge, even for those in excellent conditions, as even though it isn't the most technical of climbs, it does offer a challenging trek to the summit and plenty of altitude along the way.

Recently, a Polarmax Pro Staff Guide by the name of Macon Dunnagan pulled off a pretty impressive feat of endurance by climbing the mountain three times in just 27 days, a record for the shortest time for such an effort. Macon, who has made 13 other ascents of Kili, trekked a total of 300 miles (482km) on this three summit bids, and spent more than 15 days above 10,000 feet.

Dunnagan will return to Kilimanjaro in January when he'll guide Brian Miller to the Roof of Africa. Miller is the winner of the Polarmax Mt. Kilimanjaro Ultimate Sweepstakes that I wrote about back in August. In addition to a full line of Polarmax gear, Brian also won a trip to Tanzania, full accommodations, and a six day guided climb of Kili.

Three times up Kili in less than a month is a pretty impressive feat for sure. To accomplish this hat trick, Dunnagan must have gone up and back without taking too many days off in between each trek. Figuring a six day climb, one day back down, and two days off before starting the next ascent, he didn't have a whole lot of time for any kind of recovery. While the altitude doesn't match the big Himalayan peaks of course, going up and down like that, while crossing through everything from tropical heat to polar conditions, has to be a bit of a grind.