What mountains are you hoping to climb in life?
For many, the question is undoubtedly figurative. Art Ulene takes it literally.
On July 13, Ulene, a retired OB-GYN, made history by becoming the oldest person to climb Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa's highest peak and the tallest free-standing mountain in the world, at almost 19,000 feet above sea level. He reached the summit on his 90th birthday, embarking on the 15-day journey in collaboration with CareScout, a firm that assists older persons and families in aging.
Ulene explained that his reason for climbing Kilimanjaro was twofold. On the one hand, he wished to do it for himself. On the other hand, he wanted to show people what is still possible, even in the later stages of life.
People question, 'Well, why are you doing this?' And the mountains have become a symbol for my existence. Mountains contain peaks and valleys. So does life. "Ups and downs," he explains. "If you're not willing to climb the mountain, then you are missing so much of your potential."
How a 90-year-old Climbed Mount Kilimanjaro
Ulene had previously climbed Kilimanjaro with his wife when he was 75 and she was 72. This time, he traveled with a group and took extra care due to his elderly age. The trek took 15 days, with 11-and-a-half on the way up and four on the way down. Ulene explains that she had to slow down due to her legs' inability to move quicker. "We carried a chair, and they would pull out the chair every hour for me, and I would sit down and spend five to 10 minutes just trying to recover."
No matter how difficult the climb became, Ulene says he kept telling himself that all he had to do was keep putting one foot in front of the other. It's how he's overcome many of life's challenges.
People ask me, 'How do you climb Kilimanjaro?'" "The solution is one step at a time," he explains. "Place your left foot ahead, and your right foot in front of your left. And then you do it roughly 50,000 times.
Kilimanjaro is not an easy walk. It includes harsh and rocky terrain. The most difficult aspects, Ulene adds, were when he had to hoist himself over enormous rocks.
Coming down the mountain proved challenging too, as he had to control his descent, lest he go tumbling down.
"I just collapsed with the summit," he recounts, recalling his unforgettable birthday. "I held a birthday party at the summit. A cake with icing. Music. Dancing."
What his Kilimanjaro ascent actually implies
So, after climbing Kilimanjaro at 90, what's next for Ulene? He now prefers to ski down mountains. He's already purchased a season ski pass for Deer Valley in Utah and wants to take lessons from an 80-year-old instructor.
He also wants to keep inspiring people to live their best lives, regardless of age.
"I want to be clear, I'm not suggesting that every older person should climb Mount Kilimanjaro," he clarifies. "What I tell them is to find their own mountain. Perhaps there is a personal issue that is preventing you from moving forward. Maybe it's on your bucket list, something you've always wanted to accomplish; give it a shot."
Ulene's mindset led him to the summit of Kilimanjaro and will guide him throughout his life. "I want to be in perfect health until the day I die," he adds. "When I die, I want them to ask, 'What did he die of? "He looked fantastic yesterday!"
