Blizzard Slows Celebrity Climbers Aiming To Reach Kilimanjaro Peak
By WENNTuesday, January 12, 2010
The stars climbing Mount Kilimanjaro to raise awareness for the world’s water crisis are trudging through a blizzard as they attempt to reach the summit in the next 15 hours.
In a ‘tweet’ posted minutes ago, Santigold star Santi White, who is among the group of celebrities and activists heading for the top of the mount, revealed the expedition is hoping to hit the highest peak in Africa in the next 15 hours after five days of adventure.
She wrote, “We’re at the final base camp before our summit attempt. 15 hour trek if we’re lucky!”
She joined Jessica Biel, Emile Hirsch and pop stars Lupe Fiasco and Kenna, among others, as the group faced blizzard conditions that slowed their progress on Monday (11Jan10).
Climber Elizabeth Gore, an executive with the United Nations Foundation, tells People.com via satellite phone that “visibility is only 10 feet in front of you. And it’s cold. I’ve got six layers on.”
She adds, “We’re on the hardest route at the fastest pace, but no one has turned back. It’s pretty kick a** that all of the climbers have made it all the way. We’re all trying to help each other get to the top.”
And Gore admits Biel has become the life and soul of the climbing party: “Jess is doing awesome. She continues to bring levity yet seriousness at the same time.”
