Scot Farber had never climbed a mountain before. He had never even hiked. Living in the flatlands of North Texas, the chance simply hadn’t come. But for nearly 20 years, he dreamed of climbing Mount Kilimanjaro. Recently, Scot made that dream a reality when he traveled to Tanzania for a week-long trek to the iconic Uhuru Peak. So how did Scot, with no prior climbing experience, conquer the Roof of Africa?

For a Good Cause

From the very beginning, Scot wanted his journey to make a meaningful impact on children affected by the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. He met with representatives of Make-A-Wish North Texas and proposed an ambitious goal: to raise one dollar for every foot he climbed on Kilimanjaro — a total of $19,341. “They looked at me like I was crazy,” Scot said. “They were dumbfounded. And I was like, ‘No, I’m going to do this.’” His goal was approved, a fundraising webpage was set up, and Scot began training. He developed a fitness plan but understood that lack of hiking experience and altitude acclimatization would be his biggest hurdles. Altitude sickness is unpredictable and can affect anyone differently. Preparation, knowledge, and patience are key.

Training and Learning

To gain some hiking experience and test his body at higher elevation, Scot traveled from Dallas (400 feet above sea level) to Colorado, where he climbed Mt. Elbert (14,000 feet) in under 24 hours. The climb was tough. The rapid altitude gain brought headaches and exhaustion. Scot told D Magazine, “My mind was ready to go, but my body had to work harder than it ever has…It was like walking through molasses.” Step by step, he reached the summit of Mt. Elbert, learning a valuable lesson: don’t overpack. Every ounce counts when you’re carrying your gear uphill. This training hike was a preview of what was to come—a taller, tougher, week-long trek up Mount Kilimanjaro’s challenging slopes.

Seeing Kilimanjaro for the First Time

Arriving at Kilimanjaro International Airport, the reality of the challenge hit Scot as he gazed out the plane window at the towering peak. “You think about it being high, right? It’s 19,341 feet—just under 20,000—but I really didn’t know what that meant,” he said. The awe-inspiring sight of Kilimanjaro’s snow-capped summit can be overwhelming. But Scot was focused on one thing: reaching the top to fulfill his Make-A-Wish goal. After months of preparation and a quick photo at the park gate, Scot embarked on his trek.

“Drinky, Drinky”

The first few days brought rain and wet conditions. Scot often didn’t want to look up because the mountain seemed so vast. But his guides were constant sources of support and encouragement. The mantra on Kilimanjaro is “pole pole” — slowly, slowly. Take your time, one step at a time, and you will reach the summit. Trusting your guide is vital, and Scot’s guide, Resipicius Baitwa, had summited Kilimanjaro over 500 times. He knew exactly how to support Scot’s individual pace and needs. With a laugh, Scot recalled how Resipicius would say, “drinky drinky,” reminding him to stay hydrated. At Stella Point, Resipicius even made tea to help Scot warm up. “He really paid attention,” Scot said. “I was taken care of really well. It was such a comfort being with him.”

The Night Before the Summit

The night before his final summit attempt was tough. The incline was steep, the wind chill was near freezing, and sleep was elusive. Doubt crept in. Why was he there? Could he really make it to the top? To push through, Scot created a motivational playlist featuring hits from the Rocky movies — “Burning Heart,” “Going the Distance,” and “Gonna Fly Now.”

“Gonna Fly Now”

Getting up in the middle of the night, with little rest, Scot began the final ascent to Uhuru Peak. Fatigue weighed heavy, but the sunrise offered a second wind. The sky lit up with purples and reds as he climbed. About 100 feet from the summit, exhaustion nearly took over. But as the Rocky theme played through his headphones, Scot found renewed strength. With determination and grit, he reached Uhuru Peak. “I got up there, and the emotions started pouring out,” Scot said. “And my arms had to go up in the air, naturally.”

Breaking His Fundraising Goal

Joy and accomplishment filled the moment. Scot not only reached the summit but also exceeded his fundraising goal — raising 137% of his target. “My goal was $19,341, and I’m just shy of $27,000 now,” Scot shared. “With all the crazy stuff going on, it feels great. I’m so glad I did this. It was the experience of a lifetime.” Scot continues to accept donations for Make-A-Wish North Texas until the end of January 2021.

Ready to take your own Kilimanjaro adventure?

At I Artist Adventure, we specialize in making your dream trek a reality. Whether you’re a seasoned climber or a first-timer like Scot, we’ll guide you every step of the way.