'It's conquering the mountain, and I think the mountain is us': 24 Ontario women set to climb Mount Kilimanjaro
Since August 2022, a group of 24 women has been training — rain, sleet or shine — for the trip of a lifetime.
“The training has been intense. We go out in all weather — rain pants, toques, mitts, freezing rain, sleet, snow. The only thing that will stop us? Tornadoes,” Paula Johnston told CTV News Toronto.
The women — who range in age from 40 to 64 — will be climbing Tanzania’s Mount Kilimanjaro in September.
“It’s almost like a metaphor. It’s conquering the mountain, and I think the mountain is us,” Mary Nacarato said.
The trip was conceived of by friends Antoinetta Botticelli and Dawn Donaldson. The fitness instructor and registered nurse had already undertaken two adventure races before, in Morocco and Senegal.
“It was life changing. It was fantastic,” Donaldson said.
Botticelli and Donaldson felt their treks were so transformational that they wanted to share their experiences with others.
The two organizers of the trip. (Supplied)
“On our way home [from Senegal] I said to Dawn —‘Hey, wouldn’t it be kind of cool if we did a woman-empowering trek?’”
The duo decided Mount Kilimanjaro would be the scene of their next adventure, and last August, they advertised the trip on social media.
“And you know, four minutes later, 24 people signed up,” Botticelli said.
The pair said they originally thought they’d be lucky to see eight people respond, and were amazed by the response.
“I said holy cow,” Donaldson said. “It was remarkable. It’s remarkable.”
Since then, all the women going on the trip have been training — up to five times a week — a testament to their commitment to this journey.
Some of the group headed to Mount Kilimanjaro in the next 100 days. (Supplied)
“I just like to challenge myself, and there’s a great group of people going, so I have people to do things with,” Terri-Lynn Bohnert said.
Catti Rodriguez says her friend, Nacarato, convinced her to undertake this test of strength and will.
“I’m nervous. I’m excited. I’m apprehensive, but I’m looking forward to it with these great ladies,” she said.
The women say — working together toward a common goal has been inspiring.
“The sisterhood that’s been developed in the past year is incredible,” Botticelli said.
Donaldson and Botticelli are under no illusion that this will be an easy trip. And yet — they say they know they can all accomplish the climb.
“We could go tomorrow. Yeah, we’re mentally there. And the best thing is — knowing that we’re doing it together, which is the greatest thing ever,” Botticelli said.
For Donaldson, she says having 23 other women with her will help spur her on.
“We know you’re looking terrible. We know you feel awful. But we’re so going to do this, and it’s one foot in front of the other, and we’re going to get to the top,” she said.
With 100 days to go, these women are already forging friendships, and creating memories, for a trip they will never forget.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
'It was joy': Trapped B.C. orca calf eats seal meat, putting rescue on hold
A rescue operation for an orca calf trapped in a remote tidal lagoon off Vancouver Island has been put on hold after it started eating seal meat thrown in the water for what is believed to be the first time.
Man sets self on fire outside New York court where Trump trial underway
A man set himself on fire on Friday outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump's historic hush-money trial was taking place as jury selection wrapped up, but officials said he did not appear to have been targeting Trump.
Sask. father found guilty of withholding daughter to prevent her from getting COVID-19 vaccine
Michael Gordon Jackson, a Saskatchewan man accused of abducting his daughter to prevent her from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, has been found guilty for contravention of a custody order.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
B.C. judge orders shared dog custody for exes who both 'clearly love Stella'
In a first-of-its-kind ruling, a B.C. judge has awarded a former couple joint custody of their dog.
Saskatoon police to search landfill for remains of woman missing since 2020
Saskatoon police say they will begin searching the city’s landfill for the remains of Mackenzie Lee Trottier, who has been missing for more than three years.
Shivering for health: The myths and truths of ice baths explained
In a climate of social media-endorsed wellness rituals, plunging into cold water has promised to aid muscle recovery, enhance mental health and support immune system function. But the evidence of such benefits sits on thin ice, according to researchers.