Young Man Turns Mountains into Metaphors in Kape2Kenya

Cape Town born Kai Fitchen and climbing parter Jonathan Joseph are due to set off on an epic journey starting from the tip of Africa to Kenya. The reason? To climb the majestic Mt Kenya, the second highest peak in Africa. The catch? The duo will only use public transport to get there. It isn’t fun and games for these two climbers. The heart of the expedition is compelled by Joseph and Fitchen’s commitment to promote public transport, plant trees in desolate areas, and help communities to sanitize otherwise undrinkable water. The pair will stop at schools to discuss with students ways in which they can improve their environment.

Fitchen, who recently turned 18, started to climb at the age of 15. His first major summit was Mt Kilimanjaro. Subsequently in 2010, he climbed in the Swiss Alps, summited and named a virgin peak in the Himalayas near the legendary K2, the second highest mountain in the world. Later in 2010 he conquered Europe’s highest peak Mt Elbrus, making him the youngest African yet to climb Mt Elbrus.

When asked what inspired him to undertake Kape2Kenya 2012, Fitchen answers that he was shocked to see the amount of pollution in the areas where he climbed. The Himalayas and Caucasus are riddled with dead bodies, empty Oxygen tanks, and litter. After he was selected for the Mike Horn Young Explorers Program, he felt compelled to make a difference and now wants more young people to feel as empowered as he does. After being chosen to be the opening speaker to legendary outdoorsman, Bear Grylls in Pretoria, in February this year, he says he’s even more inspired to make a positive difference.

The reason for only using public transport on Kape2Kenya is to offset the otherwise large carbon footprint that an expedition of this scale would normally create. For Fitchen and Joseph, climbing and living ‘sustainably’ is an intricate part of their lifestyles. Kape2Kenya is another way in which they can continue to fill their need to climb in unique places, and also help the environment to fight back.

If you would like to help this expedition succeed, visit the official IndieGogo campaign //igg.me/p/44790?a=515502