The Uhuru Ascent
This August a group of disabled veterans will make the ultimate trip, and take on the greatest challenge of their lives, when they climb Mt. Kilimanjaro on an expedition called the Uhuru Ascent. These dedicated veterans, who have already tackled the arduous obstacle of living daily with a disability, will be joined by fellow climbing enthusiasts in their endeavor to accomplish this monumental goal together.
The Uhuru Ascent was conceived by Darol Kubacz, founder of Freedom For Life, an organization created to help disabled outdoor enthusiasts. This mission represents an important and lofty goal in the lives of the veterans and friends who are training to make the ascent on one of the highest freestanding mountains in the world at 19,341 feet. As one of the climbers, Darol aims to be the first paraplegic veteran to summit the mountain unassisted.
The Uhuru Ascent mission is to redefine the perception of what it means to be a disabled veteran and how to better experience physical fitness and outdoor activities. Darol has set these objectives with personal determination and sacrifice, seeking to demonstrate the strength that can come from apparent weaknesses.
Mt. Kilimanjaro is the highest mountain in Africa, located in Northeast Tanzania, near the Kenya border. The success rate for climbers without any physical limitations is often low. The conditions and technical aspects of the climb result in unpredictable situations that can impede a climber’s progress. Other disabled climbers with wheelchairs have attempted the climb and reached the summit with help. The community of disabled veterans and climbers is waiting to see who will be the first to accomplish this rare feat. Summit Mt. Kilimanjaro is viewed as the “Mt. Everest” for disabled climbers for it presents more feasible access.
Since he is paralyzed from the chest down, Darol will climb the mountain using a hand-driven mountain climber for 16,000 feet. Afterwards, he will transition into a customized adaptive, multi-wheeled ascending device called the “Slider” that incorporates conventional rock climbing gear, ropes, winches and anchoring devices. This unique apparatus is designed to allow Darol to reach the unprecedented final 3,000 feet. At no point during the ascent, will he be carried or pushed.
In the course of preparing and completing this expedition, the climbers will conquer any fears of failure, embarrassment and pain to change the way disabled people are viewed and how they see themselves as active outdoorsmen. Their monumental expedition will be chronicled in their own words and thoughts via blogs and journals. A documentary film crew will accompany them to produce an all-access portrait of the climb.
The documentary will share the story and purpose of the Uhuru Ascent for years to come. Freedom For Life will showcase the film at hospitals, corporations and community organizations to spread its mission, empower people, alter people’s perceptions and challenge them to try new activities and support those who embark on new endeavors to overcome limitations.
The Mountain
Kilimanjaro is the highest mountain in Africa, located in Northeast Tanzania, near the Kenya border. Kilimanjaro is an extinct volcano, and is one of the most massive in the world. It towers 15,000 feet above the surrounding arid plains, and 2.5 square miles of its surface are over 18,500 feet. Beneath its ice dome, snow extends down long gullies that have been eroded in the mountain sides. Kilimanjaro's summit crater, known as Kibo, measures an incredible 1.5 miles across. The highest point on Kibo's steep rim is Uhuru, the highest peak in Africa.
