Julie at Uhuru Peak – Kilimanjaro Summit

Julie O’Keeffe submitted this picture of herself at Uhuru Peak on the morning of July 29, 2006. Congratulations Julie!

Here is Julie’s advice on making it to the summit:

“I may not be the best person to ask for advice on making it to the summit because I struggled. I am a triathlete and did fine on the mountain until around 17,000 feet. The oxygen level then caused me to feel extremely drained, both mentally and physically. I made it to the top by focusing on each step and keeping my head down so that I wouldn’t be overwhelmed by the distance we needed to traverse. Determination and an obstinate sense of purpose got me to the top! (Definition of obstinate: “perversely adhering to an opinion, purpose, or course in spite of reason, arguments, or persuasion.”)”