Oldest couple to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro: Vancouver couple sets world record (VIDEO) KILIMANJARO, Tanzania -- Swiss natives and Vancouver residents Esther, 84, and Martin Kafer, 85, have climbed Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa's highest mountain - some 5,895 metres
- setting the new world record for the Oldest couple to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro,
and helped to raise $310,000 for the Alzheimer Society of BC., according to the World Record Academy: www.worldrecordacademy.com/. Photo: Martin and Esther Kafer, aged 85 and 84, climb North Shore's Grouse Grind on Sept. 6. The couple reached the summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro in Tanzania on Sunday as a fundraiser for Alzheimer's disease. (enlarge photo)
Guinness World Records also recognized the world record for the Fastest ascent of Mt Kilimanjaro, set by Gerard Bavato (France), who ran the 34 km (21.1 miles) from the base to the summit of Mt Kilimanjaro in a time of 5 hr 26 min 40 sec.
Kilimanjaro, elevation 19,340 feet, is in northeastern Tanzania near Kenya.
Peak performers, Martin Kafer, 85, and his wife Esther, 84, reached the summit of Africa's highest mountain - some 5,895 metres - on Sunday, after a five-day trek, as part of the Ascent for Alzheimer's fundraising initiative in support of the Alzheimer Society of B.C.
The Kafers raised more than $24,000 for the cause, helping to bring the total fundraising from Ascent for Alzheimer's to $310,000.
The couple have been climbing for more than a half-century, starting with a trek in the Swiss Alps on their honeymoon where Esther saved her husband's life by keeping a firm grip on his rope while he dangled off a ledge.
Over the years, they've made more than 30 first ascents of B.C. peaks. Esther was the first Canadian woman to climb Mt. Wadding-ton, B.C.'s highest peak.
They've gone on to climb crags in dozens of countries, including Bolivia, Kenya, India, Chile, Burma, Peru, Pakistan, New Zealand, Turkey and Ecuador.
