Kilimanjaro Ascent, the Masai and African Wildlife
Presented by Jim Vanderaa
Tuesday, March 1, 2016, 7:30 pm
San Bernardino County Museum, 2024 Orange Tree Lane, Redlands
In January 2016, Jim traveled to Tanzania with the primary goal of climbing 19,341 foot Mt Kilimanjaro via the Lemosho route. The top to bottom trek took 8 days, with the final 4000 foot ascent beginning at midnight so as to reach the summit in time to see sunrise from the roof of Africa.
Following the trek, Jim went on a 5 day safari in Tarangire, Serengeti, and Ngorongoro National Parks. There was also an opportunity to visit a Masai village in northern Tanzania and an elementary school in Moshi.
Jim was born in Montreal, Canada. He immigrated to the United States in 1986, eventually moving to southern California in 1989, where he started a construction company that kept him busy for the next twenty-three years. In 2012, he stepped away from the business to pursue new adventures, which included this recent trip to Africa and a trek to Everest Base Camp in 2014. Jim lives in Upland with his wife, Maria, his son, Jakob, and his daughter, Hannah.
Jim is a regular guest speaker on a variety of topics at local high schools and vocational training centers. He coaches youth basketball and baseball. An avid hiker and adventurer, he loves the Canyonlands and red rock country of southern Utah.
Jim presented the program at the August 2015 San Gorgonio Chapter meeting on his October 2014 trek to the Everest Base Camp and his visit to pre-earthquake Katmandu.
