The Journey of Learning, Friendships, and Climbing to New Heights
By: Carol Kimenya
As I write this, it’s been a few months since my journey to Cordillera Blanca, Peru—my first mountain outside the continent of Africa. I’m now back in Addis, reflecting on those unforgettable weeks this summer…
This adventure took months of meticulous planning and behind-the-scenes work. Looking back, I feel immense gratitude for the support from the Summit Scholarship Foundation. From the moment the announcement was made, they were by my side—helping with visa documents, offering encouragement when things got tough, and cheering me on through social media as the departure date approached.
While I was thrilled to be part of this trip, I initially worried about the finer details—especially whether my gear would be sufficient. It was a huge relief when so many brands came on board to provide the necessary equipment. Mountaineering gear doesn’t come cheap, and the sponsorship saved me a lot of costs. Without their support, the few items I still had to rent would have been a bigger financial burden.
I owe deep thanks to these generous brands. (Editor's Note: Thank you to our gear sponsors, including Nite Ize, LOWA Boots, LEKI USA, Deuter, EXPED, Fjällräven, C.A.M.P., Skratch Labs, Julbo, Smith Optics, Petzl, and Kula Cloth.)
My preparation involved attending AWExpedition’s Aconcagua Prep School, where I learned invaluable tips on mountaineering that I felt would serve me well in future expeditions. The Prep School also greatly eased my nerves, preparing me for the challenges ahead.
From the beginning, I knew this climb wasn’t just a personal achievement. Many people climbed with me in spirit, and I hoped to do my best. Although reaching the summit featured prominently among my goals for this trip, the experience was about so much more.
I gained new skills and confidence—learning how to navigate a glacier, put on crampons, tie knots like figure 8 and fisherman’s, and expand my mountaineering vocabulary—I can now lean into the notion of considering myself a mountaineer!
Trekking through landscapes that seemed straight out of a movie, I eventually stood at the summit of my first glaciated peak—Nevada Ishinca.
While I had hoped to reach the second peak, Tocllaraju—which would have been my highest summit yet—we were ultimately unable to make our summit bid. From health scares to the peak being shrouded in fog on summit day, in hindsight, it seems this summit wasn’t meant to be—at least not this time.
We had an incredible experience on and off the mountain. The hotel accommodations and transportation were excellent, and there was plenty of food, snacks, and hot water at camp. Our guides, chef, and porters went above and beyond to make sure we were comfortable. I also cherished the AWExpeditions souvenirs—my badge, cap, pouch, and calendar are now treasured keepsakes.
Beyond the climb, I took away so much more: newfound knowledge about places like Alaska, Canada, and Colombia from conversations with fellow climbers and unforgettable memories of shared moments—like a helping hand to jump across obstacles(short people problems), a steady shoulder during tricky descents, and help with my crampons when my fingers were frozen. I even learned a new language and have been working at it since—watch out!
As a teacher, my post-climb adventures—from Pisac to Machu Picchu to Cusco—felt like walking through one of my history lessons. I got to experience firsthand many different sites and artifacts I teach about when covering ancient civilizations. Experiencing it all in person was an incredible gift, and I couldn’t wait to share these experiences with my students.
Looking back, I’m in awe of how one person’s dream to share the outdoors with others blossomed into this life-changing experience. I hope the Summit Scholarship Foundation continues to grow, offering more people the chance to live their dreams.
The younger version of me would have never imagined this reality coming to pass. I leave this experience inspired to pay it forward—to spark the same hope in another young girl who just might see themselves in my story and the stories of others like myself.
I walk away with cherished memories, new friendships, and the immense pride of being part of the Summit Scholarship family—thanks to Summit Scholarship Foundation, AWExpeditions, and McGill’s Mountains.
