Kilimanjaro Climb is Novel Destination Talk

Africa’s preeminent mountain will be center stage on May 18, at 7 p.m., for a Novel Destinations Program at Coeur d’Alene Public Library.

Brian and Lesley Samuels will share stories and photos from their ascent of the 19,000-plus-foot peak in a program they are calling “Kilimanjaro for the Non-Mountaineer.”

Brian said the couple took the Kilimanjaro challenge as a way to mark turning 50 years old.

Kilimanjaro, with its three volcanic cones, “Kibo,” “Mawenzi” and “Shira,” is a dormant volcano in Tanzania. It is the highest mountain in Africa; 19,341 feet above sea level. The first people known to have reached the summit of the mountain were Hans Meyer and Ludwig Purtscheller, in 1889. The mountain is part of the Kilimanjaro National Park and is a major climbing destination.

Novel Destinations is sponsored by the Coeur d’Alene Public Library to provide area residents the opportunity to share their photos and stories from trips around the world. Anyone with a program to share is encouraged to contact the Library Foundation at 208-769-2380 or by email at cdalibraryfoundation@gmail.com.