'Sibu' looks to make it seven out of seven
13 June 2008, 14:48
By Chelsea Laun
Sibusiso Vilane will become the fifth African to climb the highest peak on each of the seven continents if he reaches the top of Mount McKinley in Alaska at the weekend.
Vilane and his climbing partner, American journalist Steve Howe, hope to reach the summit by Sunday, weather permitting.
Vilane, affectionately referred to as "Sibu," captured the world's attention in 2003 when he became the first black man to climb Mount Everest. Born in South Africa, but raised in Swaziland, Sibu wants to promote the sport of climbing to all South Africans.
He has already summited six of the seven peaks - Mt Vinson in Antarctica, Mt Elbrus in Europe, Mt Kilimanjaro in Africa, Mt Aconcagua in South America and Mt Everest in Asia. Vilane also completed an unassisted journey to the South Pole in January.
Speaking to his support team via satellite phone on Wednesday, Vilane said while he and Harris were extremely tired, he was confident in his hopes for a summit.
Vilane's climb will raise funds for the Impumelelo Pre-school in Port Elizabeth.
His next climb will be the Matterhorn in Switzerland.
chelsea.laun@inl.co.za
Sibusiso Vilane will become the fifth African to climb the highest peak on each of the seven continents if he reaches the top of Mount McKinley in Alaska at the weekend.
Vilane and his climbing partner, American journalist Steve Howe, hope to reach the summit by Sunday, weather permitting.
Vilane, affectionately referred to as "Sibu," captured the world's attention in 2003 when he became the first black man to climb Mount Everest. Born in South Africa, but raised in Swaziland, Sibu wants to promote the sport of climbing to all South Africans.
He has already summited six of the seven peaks - Mt Vinson in Antarctica, Mt Elbrus in Europe, Mt Kilimanjaro in Africa, Mt Aconcagua in South America and Mt Everest in Asia. Vilane also completed an unassisted journey to the South Pole in January.
Speaking to his support team via satellite phone on Wednesday, Vilane said while he and Harris were extremely tired, he was confident in his hopes for a summit.
Vilane's climb will raise funds for the Impumelelo Pre-school in Port Elizabeth.
His next climb will be the Matterhorn in Switzerland.
chelsea.laun@inl.co.za
- This article was originally published on page 6 of The Cape Times on June 13, 2008
Johannesburg
