90-year-old Eritrean Climbs Mount Kenya Beating ALL Odds
Mountain climbing is a dangerous, extreme adventure. However, for 90-year-old Eritrean American Naizghi Gebremedhin, things have been business as usual.
Naizghi has previously climbed Tanzania’s Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest mountain at 5,895 meters. He reached the peak.
On his birthday earlier this month, Naizghi climbed Mount Kenya, Africa’s second-highest peak. It was his 14th visit to Mount Kenya, which has an elevation of approximately 5,199 meters.
“Instead of celebrating in my bedroom down here in this garden in Nairobi we decided we’ll do it up on the top of Mount Kenya,” he told VOA in an interview.
90-YEAR-OLD CLIMBS MOUNT #Kenya FOR 14TH TIME, DEFIANT AGAINST AGE
— Live Updates (@LiveupdatesUS) August 24, 2024
AGE is just a number for 90-year-old Eritrean American Naizghi Gebremedhin, who scaled Mount #Kenya for the 14th time on his birthday. Having previously conquered Mount #Kilimanjaro, Naizghi reached the… pic.twitter.com/F1Jtzbaw2a
Naizghi said he couldn’t have asked for a better place to celebrate his special day.
“The point that is approachable by ordinary people like me,” he said.
The adventurer stated that he hiked up to around 5,000 meters, the third highest point.
Naizghi’s Explanation of the Adventure
“It was to demonstrate that even at this advanced age, you prepare yourself in a fairly simple way; you are able to do it,” he said.
“Advanced age is not a disadvantage; advanced age can also be a blessing in a way, but you have to try to prepare for it.”
Naizghi previously served as dean of the Building College, one of the colleges that comprised Addis Abeba University’s Faculty of Technology.
He also helped Eritrea register Asmara as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Naizghi stated that he is constantly exercising and walks at least 10,000 steps per day.
“I do what they call press ups, I do push ups, I do all kinds of stretches, and that has helped me a lot.”
When asked about the challenges of descending the peak, he admitted that it was more difficult than climbing.
“Coming down was a tremendous challenge. I kept on telling my guide, ‘Where are we now? Are we close now?’”
Naizghi said he is unsure about another climb, but he plans to “continue moving.”
“I have a feeling I may not be able to do another climb but will continue as long as God gives me more years,” he said.
“I will continue to move. But this kind of severe movement, getting up from 5,000 [meters], going about 600 to 700 meters in less than five [or] six hours is terrible on your knees and your muscles,” he added.
90-year-old Eritrean Climbs Mount Kenya Beating ALL Odds
