Editor’s Note: This is the third and final post in a series on Dr. Oren Beske of ATUM and his climb up Mt. Kilimanjaro in support of the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center. In an effort to avoid spoiling his inspiring last installment, we’ll just invite you to catch up on Oren’s first and second posts and then jump right in below.
Our thanks and congratulations to Oren and to all of you for supporting this terrific initiative!
John Kenney
Co-Founder and CEO, Antibody Solutions
We hiked/climbed approximately 39 miles over seven days, while gaining 489 meters (16,044 ft.) vertically. Despite this being a “5-Star Kili” expedition--which included exceptional support from a team of Tanzanian locals (who graciously set up our tents for us and provided three hot meals every day)--it certainly was both a physical and mental challenge for the whole team.
And, as the elevation got higher and higher, our bodies . . . well, they just don’t work the same with less oxygen. Whether it was headaches, nausea, loss of appetite, dizziness, sleeplessness, digestive complexities or general fatigue, our bodies eventually responded to the elevation, adapted and acclimatized. Thankfully, no one experienced any severe symptoms ,even when standing at more than 19,000 ft. breathing roughly half of the oxygen available at sea level!
Needless to say, the trek also resulted in amazing views and scenery, including misty forests, dusty desert large rock walls and spectacular sunrises above the clouds.
And it finished with a sunrise on the summit!
Clearly, it was a trip of a lifetime! So I encourage you to join me in looking for more Climb to Fight Cancer opportunities in the future.
Thank you all for your support.
Oren Beske, Ph.D.
Amalgamator of Business and Biology
ATUM, Inc.