Thursday, October 4, 2012

  Oldest couple to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro: Vancouver couple sets world record (VIDEO)

KILIMANJARO, Tanzania -- Swiss natives and Vancouver residents Esther, 84, and Martin Kafer, 85, have climbed Mount Kilimanjaro,
Africa's highest mountain - some 5,895 metres - setting the new world record for the Oldest couple to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro, and helped to raise $310,000 for the Alzheimer Society of BC., according to the World Record Academy: www.worldrecordacademy.com/.
Esther and Martin Kafer climbing the Mt Kilimanjaro
  Photo: Martin and Esther Kafer, aged 85 and 84, climb North Shore's Grouse Grind on Sept. 6. The couple reached the summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro in Tanzania on Sunday as a fundraiser for Alzheimer's disease. ( enlarge photo )

The Guinness world record for the oldest man to climb Mount Kilimanjaro was set by George Solt (UK), who reached the summit of Mt Kilimanjaro, Tanzania, at age 82 years, 289 days.

Guinness World Records also recognized the world record for the Fastest ascent of Mt Kilimanjaro, set by Gerard Bavato (France), who ran the 34 km (21.1 miles) from the base to the summit of Mt Kilimanjaro in a time of 5 hr 26 min 40 sec.

  Kilimanjaro, elevation 19,340 feet, is in northeastern Tanzania near Kenya.

   Peak performers, Martin Kafer, 85, and his wife Esther, 84, reached the summit of Africa's highest mountain - some 5,895 metres - on Sunday, after a five-day trek, as part of the Ascent for Alzheimer's fundraising initiative in support of the Alzheimer Society of B.C.

  The Kafers raised more than $24,000 for the cause, helping to bring the total fundraising from Ascent for Alzheimer's to $310,000.

   The couple have been climbing for more than a half-century, starting with a trek in the Swiss Alps on their honeymoon where Esther saved her husband's life by keeping a firm grip on his rope while he dangled off a ledge.

  Over the years, they've made more than 30 first ascents of B.C. peaks. Esther was the first Canadian woman to climb Mt. Wadding-ton, B.C.'s highest peak.

  They've gone on to climb crags in dozens of countries, including Bolivia, Kenya, India, Chile, Burma, Peru, Pakistan, New Zealand, Turkey and Ecuador.


   Related world records:
Oldest to travel around world: Saburo Shochi sets world record

Oldest woman to climb Mount Everest: Tamae Watanabe breaks world record

Youngest person to visit the North Pole: Jaimie Donovan sets world record

Longest non-motorised polar expedition without outside help: Belgian explorers set world record (Video)

Antarctica Legacy Crossing: Sebastian Copeland and Eric McNair-Landry set three world records (Video)


First to climb Mt. Sidley in Antarctica (Female): Crina Coco Popescu sets world record (Video)

First woman to ski solo across Antarctica: Felicity Aston sets world record (Video)

Fastest 100-kilometres by kite ski: Helen Skelton sets world record (Video)

First blind person to trek to the South Pole: Alan Lock sets world record

Youngest to climb 7 summits: Jordan Romero (Video)

Longest taxi journey: Three British adventurers sets world record (Video)

Fastest overland journey to the South Pole: KNGS (Video)

Youngest person to ski to the South Pole: Amelia Hempleman-Adams sets world record (Video)

First person to visit all UN member countries and Antarctica: Yili Liu

Oldest man to climb Mount Kilimanjaro: Richard Byerley sets world record (Video)


Monday, November 18, 2013 4:29 PM


[ World Record Certificate

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