Challenge Aspen Expedition 2019

Join Challenge Aspen for our inaugural Challenge Aspen Expedition—an incredible opportunity to climb Mount Kilimanjaro while enabling a Challenge Aspen ambulatory participant to discover new abilities on a spectacular, life-changing adventure. This year’s exciting expedition will experience one of the Seven Summits with Challenge Aspen’s CEO Jeff Hauser, a Challenge Aspen participant, and expert guides from our local partner Aspen Expeditions Worldwide. The Challenge Aspen Expedition team members will further our organization’s mission of creating possibilities for people with disabilities as they work together to help our participant safely and successfully reach the 19,341 foot summit of Mount Kilimanjaro. This experience benefits more than one Challenge Aspen participant—your trip fee provides funding for Challenge Aspen programming! Contact Challenge Aspen CEO Jeff Hauser today and reserve your spot on this amazing Tanzanian adventure!

Trip Dates

May 18–26, 2019An optional 3 or 5-day safari can be added to the Mount Kilimanjaro portion of the trip for an additional cost.

About the Climb

The summit of Kilimanjaro stands at 19,341 feet (5,895 meters), the highest point in all of Africa and one of the Seven Summits. Aspen Expeditions Worldwide trips avoid the crowds by climbing the Rongai or Machame Routes. While these routes are slightly longer than the standard routes, the trek is stunning. As it ascends from the trailhead at 6,000 feet (1,829 meters) to the summit, it passes through every ecological zone found in this area of East Africa. You begin in rainforest, pass through alpine pines, then into grassland, alpine tundra, and eventually walking along the crater. Kilimanjaro is an ideal mountain to try high-altitude climbing without needing years of experience or training. Climbing the mountain can be strenuous, although our route is non-technical (there is no rock climbing, ice, snow, or need for ropes). We use a very experienced team of local Tanzanians acting as porters, kitchen staff, and local guides. With the assistance of our local team, you only need to carry daypacks to save your energy for the summit push. The local team members also offer a priceless look into local culture.

Recommendations for Skills and Experience

• Good general health and wellbeing• Able to walk 5 to 10 miles per day in mountainous terrain with a 20 pound backpack• Experience hiking any of Colorado’s fourteen thousand foot peaks without serious consequences• Experience backpacking and tent camping

Trip Planning

Challenge Aspen and Aspen Expeditions Worldwide will host an organizational meeting on March 26 for those who have paid the fifty percent deposit to secure a spot on the expedition. This meeting will be an opportunity to meet other team members and to discuss trip details, gear recommendations, pre-trip conditioning, and the team goals for the expedition.

On April 27 and 28, Challenge Aspen and Aspen Expeditions Worldwide will host an overnight practice climb. Depending on snow conditions, the team may attempt a fourteener or a long hike on a high ridgeline with the goal of exerting at elevation. This climb will enable team members to get to know one another better, test gear, see how team members climb and support each other, and give team members a good sense of how their personal conditioning is progressing.

Pricing Information

Mount Kilimanjaro trip only: $12,500 ($10,100 tax-deductible)Mount Kilimanjaro trip plus 3 day safari: $14,300 ($9,300 tax-deductible)Mount Kilimanjaro trip plus 5 day safari: $15,100 ($9,500 tax-deductible)

Prices do not include airfare, gratuities, alcohol, or gifts. A payment of 50% of the trip fee is required to reserve your place on the trip. The balance of the trip fee is due by April 22.

About Aspen Expeditions Worldwide

OUR COMMITMENT TO OUTSTANDING SERVICE AND MEMORABLE EXPERIENCES IN THE MOUNTAINS REJUVENATES BODY, MIND AND SPIRIT (THE ASPEN IDEA)

Aspen Expeditions Worldwide (AEW) is a mountain guide service, backcountry center, and custom adventure travel service based in the heart of the magnifi cent Rocky Mountains in Aspen, Colorado. AEW has been guiding and teaching rock, ice, ski and alpine mountaineering skills since 1977. In addition, AEW leads adventures to international destinations such as the Himalaya (Nepal, Bhutan), Tanzania (Kilimanjaro), South America, and the European Alps. Founded by International Federation of Mountain Guides (IFMGA) Guide Dick Jackson, Aspen Expeditions is now owned/operated by IFMGA certifi ed guide Amos Whiting and American Mountain Guides Association (AMGA) trained guide Britt Ruegger. We take pride in the service and products we deliver. Our high reputation from past and current guests and our commitment to our highly qualifi ed staff of mountain guides (AMGA trained and/or certifi ed) are AEW’s credentials. So come join us for a memorable mountain experience!

TO REGISTER:For further information and to register please contact

Jeff Hauser at jhauser@challengeaspen.org or 970.923.0578.