Syed Sarmad climbs Mt Kilimanjaro, Tanzania

[Syed]

Last week I climbed Mt Kilimanjaro. It is the tallest free standing mountain in world. 19,423 Feet.
The journey has a special meaning to me and I wanted to share it with Tug members.

In August 1987 I was in a serious car accident. I was in a Lamborghini which was run over by a fire truck. I was the passenger. I was in coma for 16 days and after I regained consciousness, it was doubtful if i would walk again.
I defied the medical odds and started to walk and eventually run.
I am very grateful I can walk and think about it often.
This trek to Mt Kilimanjaro was done in honor for all those who cant walk.
Syed

 

[mjm1]

Syed, thanks for sharing your amazing story and congratulations for achieving such a feat.

Best regards.

Mike

 

[Theiggy]

Amazing and inspiring Syed! Congrats to you!


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[breezez]

That’s an awesome story! Congrats

 

[Chrisky]

Congratulations. You are an inspiration to everyone. Thank you for sharing your story.

 

[TUGBrian]

holy cow, that is incredible!

 

[DeniseM]

Amazing - but we want to hear all the details - about both of your adventures!

 

[DaveNV]

That's incredible!

Dave

 

[klpca]

Great job Syed!

 

[Beachclubmum]

Thanks for sharing your story. What a great accomplishment in so many ways! Enjoy!!!

 

[easyrider]

Nice recovery !!! Your climb is on my bucket list. How was this the trip ? See anything out of the ordinary ?

Bill

 

[Anne&Jim]

Congratulations— we already knew you were a cut above, but you’ve proven it again! What an inspiration you are!


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[RonB]

Quite an accomplishment Syed. Congrats ~ Ron

 

[slip]

Awesome story, Congratulations!!

 

[Helaine]

Congratulations! What an amazing feat!

 

[Sugarcubesea]

Syed: What an awesome adventure you had to honor those who can no longer walk... Please share more details, I'm so happy you came through your car accident and can achieve greatness...

 

[geoand]

Incredible achievement! Please tell us more.

 

[Syed]

Thank you all for the kind words.

So sorry for the delay in responding. I have been catching up with work and getting back to sleeping normal after the 11 time zone changes.
Regarding the auto accident in 1987. Check out the Youtube link below. I was chosen to be an Olympic torch bearer in 1996 Olympics. What made this an extra special event was Mohammed Ali lit the caldron and he was a patient on the same floor when I was recovering at the UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles.

The trek to Mt Kilimanjaro was arranged through Thomson Treks in MASS. Highly recommend them. There were a total of 10 trekkers and a support staff of 70. My cousin, his daughter and son were in our group and this trip was an excellent opportunity for all of us to spend time together.
We took the Grand Traverse route, which is 10 days long and a good way acclimatize to the elevation. We started our final ascent at 4:30 AM on September 26. It was full moon. The ascent was from 15,400 feet to the top which is 19,340 feet and then descend back down to approx 15,000 to our camp that day. Definitely the hardest physical journey I have ever undertaken.Parts of the trek had a 45-50 degree elevation and with small rocks, making it somewhat slippery at times. I was completely exhausted- mentally and physically. I think what helped me get to the summit was focusing on how wonderful it felt to plant my feet on the mountain, rather than thinking about the difficult task in front of me.

 

[FamilyEsq]

Congratulations!!! You are an inspiration. I knew when I met you this summer that you were a special person.

 

[WalnutBaron]

Congratulations, Syed. You're an inspiration to all of us. It's heroic when someone overcomes a physical injury or handicap to accomplish something so remarkable. Kudos!

 

[DavidnRobin]

Congrats Syed!
the video is not working - works best if you copy/paste link.


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[Syed]

 

[DavidnRobin]

Found it by searching - fascinating story.
Missed you again (last month).
Someday...

 

[Syed]

Nice recovery !!! Your climb is on my bucket list. How was this the trip ? See anything out of the ordinary ?

Bill

Bill,
Nothing out of the ordinary. No animals. There are 3 mountains in the Kilimanjaro Park. Shira, Mawenzi and Kibo. Kibo is the highest, which is what we climbed. Mawenzi is spectacularly beautiful. Wish I could locate a nice pic to share. We walked over 50 miles over the 10 day period. Loved every day. Journey of a lifetime.
If you are thinking about making this trek, highly recommend using a good trek company and take the longer trek route for better altitude adjustment. Walk slowly and Staying well hydrated are very important.