Arthur Ulene, 89, is training to reach the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro on his 90th birthday. If successful, he will become the oldest person to climb Africas highest peak, challenging stereotypes about aging through rigorous exercise, a positive mindset, and a love for adventure.
At 89 years old, Arthur Ulene is rigorously training to celebrate his 90th birthday at the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro , aiming to become the oldest person ever to reach Africas highest peak.
His journey defies common stereotypes about aging, embodying a philosophy of living up to ones potential rather than ones age. Ulene, a retired gynecologist and former medical correspondent for NBCs Today show, has a long history of embracing physical challenges. He didnt attempt a serious climb until age 74 but was instantly hooked, summiting Kilimanjaro twice before in 2011 and 2013. A previous attempt in 2022 was halted at 17,000 feet due to illness.
His upcoming expedition, set to begin July 1 with a departure on June 27, will be his most ambitious yet. He will follow a longer but less steep route with World Wide Trekking, allowing for his age and recent hip replacement surgery. His goal is to be above 19,000 feet on July 13, his birthday. The current Guinness World Record is held by Fred Distelhorst, who summited at 87.
Ulenes wife, Priscilla, whom hes been married to for 65 years, is also an experienced climber who has summited Kilimanjaro twice. They trekked to Everest Base Camp together but turned back early, noting that at their age, you just dont rush things. For this climb, Ulene will be supported by a guide and porters who will carry his gear. He emphasizes that health comes first: If I have any problems, if I am not well, Ill go down.
Theres no shame in that. Our goal is not to get me to the top, but to get me as far as I can go in good health. His daily training regimen is intense: three days a week of stair climbing, aiming for 50 or 55 flights, weight lifting, and walking four to eight miles most days. He calls these walks appreciation walks, stopping to smell the flowers and enjoying his neighborhood.
He rewards his efforts with trips to gelato shopsone a mile away for a small cup, another four miles out for a large with two flavors. He admits he doesnt particularly enjoy exercise but loves the way it makes him feel and what it allows him to do. Beyond hiking, Ulene is an avid skier with a season pass in Utah, a hobby he picked up in his late 30s after his wife encouraged him.
He credits optimism, gratitude, and a positive mindset as vital for longevity. Theres so much out there to appreciate. I am grateful for every single day I am alive, because its an opportunity to grow, he says. Approximately 40,000 people attempt Kilimanjaro annually, with a summit success rate of 45-65%.
The climb typically takes five to nine days. Ulenes planned route is designed to accommodate his pace and health considerations. He approaches this milestone not as a race but as a personal celebration of life and capability, proving that age can be a number, not a limit
Aging Mount Kilimanjaro Oldest Climber Exercise Longevity Arthur Ulene
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