Will you be ready if adventure beckons?
For Rich and Liz Clapp, the answer was a resounding “Yes!” Their journey to conquer Mount Kilimanjaro in Africa wasn’t just a testament to their physical fitness, but also to the commitment they share to embracing life’s opportunities, no matter their age.
The couple, both 66 years old, have been dedicated to studio workouts for almost a decade, working out four times a week now. Their fitness routine includes strength training, endurance exercises, and Pilates.
“We try to stay active on days when we’re not there,” Liz says. “We’re both in better shape than we’ve ever been. And we hope to maintain this and live independently as long as possible.”
While the Clapps may not consider themselves super-athletes, they embody the spirit of embracing life on your own terms -- even if you never want to travel around the world and climb a mountain.
A Question of Why Not?
The pair have gone on long hikes in other countries before, like Peru and New Zealand. But those were just warmups for the 19,341-foot-high Kilimanjaro. The iconic African peak had never crossed their minds, let alone appeared on their bucket list.
But when their daughter pitched the idea for a family expedition, Rich and Liz were all in. They knew they were capable of the rigors of traveling so far, and of going on a guided tour up the mountain.
The youngest in their climbing group was 39, the oldest 79.
The climbing wasn’t as difficult as some might imagine, they said, but it was increasingly cold the higher they went.
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