Erich Ellis stepped on an Improved Explosive Device (IED) in Afghanistan.  He came home and spent thirty days in a hospital bed being poked and prodded night and day.  He endured ten operations during that month. Nick Perales also stepped on an IED in Afghanistan.  Since he was “in cover” during that time in a […]

As told by Kilimanjaro Warriors’ founder Steve Connolly As we departed Barafu Camp at 11 p.m. on February 15th, snow began to fall from the shadowy sky. With only our headlamps to light the way, the guides and our team of 11 formed a line and began the arduous trek from 16,000 feet to the […]

I have yet to receive confirmation that the Warriors successfully summited the mountain, but stay tuned and I should know more information tomorrow. This is what their day should have looked like.  Today the Warriors face their greatest challenge and their goal. At twilight, they left Barafu Camp and hiked several miles up to Uhuru […]

According to a brief update, the Kilimanjaro Warriors successfully climbed the Barranco Wall yesterday. Everyone felt great and enjoyed the adventure as they scaled the wall using their hands. Today the team left Karanga Camp and hiked 3.5 miles to Barafu Camp, 15,200 feet. The journey to Barafu camp (below) was slow, with astounding views of […]

As they hiked down hills and through boulders, day four was extremely strenuous for the amputee climbers. Their bodies were aching and sore, but they were full of positivity and determination to press on. The route has been tough on Kisha‘s leg. The constant battery has caused an irritating headache, but she remains cheerful and will […]

On Tuesday morning the team left Shira Camp and began the six-mile hike to Moir Camp, 13,650 feet. They trekked about seven hours east toward Kibo’s glaciated peak (see photo below) and arrived at Moir Camp situated in a vast gorge near massive beds of volcanic rock. Photo Source Today, the team left Moir Camp […]

The Kilimanjaro Warriors have completed day two on the Lemosho route. While they avoided precipitation today, yesterday’s rain left heaps of mud. From the rainforest, they hiked for 4.5 miles along the Shira Ridge. After 8 hours, they entered high altitude on a desert plateau, finally to arrive at Shira Camp, 11,500 feet. With thick mud, […]

As the Kilimanjaro Warriors embark on this monumental goal for recovery, we would like to send well wishes and encouragement to RB Helterbrand as he begins to tackle a mountain of his own. We are rooting for you, RB! The Kilimanjaro Warriors had an early and wet morning as they departed their hotel for Mount […]

After 33 hours of traveling, we arrived to our hotel in Arusha, Tanzania.  We had some long flights, but overall a great and easy travel experience.  After our royal treatment in DFW and NYC, KLM Airlines hosted us in their Crown Room in Amsterdam. It was a very nice and relaxing way to pass the […]

6 February 2014 The Kilimanjaro Warriors had several early obstacles to overcome as we began our journey.  Unfortunately a snowstorm hit the DFW area the day before everyone’s scheduled arrival. The first obstacle involved Steve Martin’s flight from Phoenix….it was cancelled!  Luckily through our great American Airlines representative, Toni Russell,  the AA Veterans Initiative Program […]