Brave Hearts

Author(s): Kumarpal Desai
Publisher: Eye Care Foundation

Page 33

The Brave Hearts
some distance to reach the peak of Kilimanjaro, called Kibo, which was like a latent Volcano. It was as if to circumnavigate the snow-clad dome of the mountain. One has to cover a distance of about 3000 feet. The final ascent was very difficult. There was snow all around. The snow path had to be pierced to make way for the next step. The distance of these last 3000 feet took the climbers almost nine hours to cover, out of which about four hours were spent on making their way through the snow, step by step with utmost caution.
On 22nd February, 1969 the brave blind climbers finally set their feet on Kibo, the top peak of Kilimanjaro, and the highest mountain of Africa with a height of 19,340 feet. Their achievement was the first of its kind which astounded the world.
The news was flashed by Jefre Selisbarry, who was accompanying them, in the following words:
“The difficulties were numerous and unending. Yet these were surmounted by the valiant and indomitable climbers who turned out to be men of tremendous grit and courage."
Queen Elizabeth of England sent a special message of congratulations. This was followed by a message from Lord Hunt, the leader of the group of climbers which had successfully conquered Mount Everest in 1953.
The seven sightless climbers surpassed the bravery, grit and endurance even of the sighted ones whose vision is intact.