Brooke Smith
Staff Writer
Mira Costa junior Nick Keenan will climb the highest mountain in Africa with his family this summer, as he mountain climbs as a hobby and plans to accomplish this next step in his climbing career.
Keenan will be climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, Africa for the first time from June 30 to July 7 with his dad and two sisters. Keenan is excited to go on this backpacking trip because he will get to experience it with his family according to Keenan.
“I think what made me want to start climbing much bigger mountains is that at an early age I was exposed to the beautiful outdoors,” Keenan said. “My dad and I would and still do go on yearly backpacking trips, which developed my passion for the environment.”
Keenan shares his love for the outdoors with friends like Costa junior Noah Bell. Bell and Keenan climbed Half Dome together, and Bell also attends the yearly family backpacking trips. Keenan talks quite a bit with his other friend Aaron Kissel, who has not yet climbed with him but plan to one day.
“I like to and usually do climbing trips with my friends and family including some that attend Costa too, making the trips even more enjoyable,” Kennan said. “Some of my big accomplishments have been climbing Mt. Whitney, Half Dome and San Jacinto and I plan to have many more.”
Going on a backpacking trips can be extreme depending on the whether, altitude, and even the length of the trip. Keenan has to stay in shape in order to be healthy enough to climb these big mountains. He does this by playing Costa and club soccer along with altitude training starting months in advance.
“There is some preparation for climbing high mountains which is a lot of altitude training for about two months leading up to the trip so that we can be prepared for the extreme conditions that are to come on the big mountains,” Keenan said.
Keenan has never experienced a critically dangerous situation, but there is always the risk depending on how well the climber has studied their mountain. Keenan prepares himself before the trips by learning and understanding the correct way to go about his climbing.
“Climbing mountains does not necessarily scare me,” Keenan said. “There are risks though, but in the end, if you do what you are told, be smart, and take precautions every step of the way, there should not be any problems.”
The 19,341 foot mountain may be a tough challenge to some, but the Keenan family prepares themselves for an exciting trip by knowing what to expect and how to stay in shape for the journey.
“I’m expecting to face a challenge that’s going to push me both mentally and physically but I know that it’s going to be an experience that will forever be apart of me,” Keenan said. “I think I’m most excited for the moment that we reach the summit and get to watch the sunrise over the African Savanna.”
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