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90-Year-Old Aims for Kilimanjaro Summit
7 Jul
Summary
- Art Ulene will attempt to summit Mount Kilimanjaro for his 90th birthday.
- He aims to be the oldest person on record to reach the summit.
- Ulene emphasizes health span over lifespan, seeking peak potential.
Art Ulene is set to attempt a climb of Mount Kilimanjaro next month, coinciding with his 90th birthday. If successful, he could set a new record as the oldest person to reach the summit of Africa's tallest mountain, standing at 19,341 feet.
Ulene, a retired doctor and former "Today Show" medical correspondent, views this endeavor as a reflection of his life philosophy. He prioritizes 'health span'—the period of life spent in good health—equaling his 'lifespan.' He aims to maintain peak physical condition and capability as he ages.
His training regimen, humorously including walks to gelato shops, exemplifies his approach to staying active. Ulene believes that age-related decline can be significantly mitigated through exercise, good nutrition, adequate sleep, social connections, and stress management.
This ascent follows his previous successful summits of Kilimanjaro, though he previously turned back at 17,000 feet due to not feeling well. Ulene sees the mountain's challenging terrain as a metaphor for life's ups and downs.
