London, June 21 (IANS) A 31-year-old Canadian has climbed Africa’s highest peak – the 19,341-feet-high Mount Kilimanjaro – despite having no legs.
Spencer West from Toronto used his hands to scale the mountain over seven gruelling days, The Sun reported Thursday. He used his wheelchair for just 20 percent of the tough ascent.
West, who underwent a double amputation at the age of five after being born with a genetic disorder, trained for a year before setting off on his mission June 12 with two friends.
“The moment the summit was within sight was incredible. The summit sign seemed almost like a mirage. We looked around and realised that, after seven gruelling days of relentless climbing, after 20,000 feet of our blood, sweat, tears and vomit we had actually made it,” West said.
“The bleeding fingers and blisters were all worth it,” he said.
“I set out to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro not only to redefine what’s possible for me, but to inspire others to overcome obstacles and challenges of their own, and to give back to communities, that need our help,” he said.
“Reaching the peak of Mt. Kilimanjaro was the most mentally and physically challenging thing I have ever done, but in doing so, it reinforced the powerful message behind believing in yourself, and believing in others,” he said.
