MIDDLEBURY — Cecilia Elwert will share stories from her August 2015 climbing trip in Africa in a presentation titled “The ‘Other’ Mount Meru and Mount Kilimanjaro: High Hopes in Tanzania” at Middlebury’s Ilsley Library on Thursday, March 31, at 7 p.m. The event is sponsored by the Bread Loaf Section of the Green Mountain Club.
Seeking adventure outside her comfort zones — physically, culturally and emotionally — Elwert says her first trip to Africa far exceeded all hopes. She took a 19-day trek to Mount Meru, which is the second highest mountain in Tanzania at just shy of 15,000 feet, and then Mount Kilimanjaro, which soars to 19,340 feet.
While the presentation focuses on the two peaks, the trip included side trips to Ngorongoro Crater and Tarangire national parks and sightings of countless beautiful animals. But the highlight, says Elwert, was working with the locals on such tasks as planting trees on property soon to be housing for retired porters.
Elwert is a GMC trip leader and former section board member, and maintains nearly four miles of GMC trails. A long time ago she worked as a GMC hut caretaker and ranger/naturalist. Her next adventure is a second through-hike of the Long Trail.
This event is free. For more information about the Bread Loaf Section, visit www.gmcbreadloaf.org.