Lee Si Young conquers Mount Kilimanjaro: A journey to reach the roof of Africa.
Actress Lee Si Young recently completed a trek to the summit of Mount Uhuru, 5,895 meters high, in Tanzania. The journey required immense physical endurance to conquer Africa's highest mountain.
Lee Si Young, the famous actress known for the drama "Boys Over Flowers," recently shared a moment of successfully conquering Uhuru Peak on Mount Kilimanjaro (Tanzania). At 5,895 meters, it is known as the "roof" of Africa and is the world's highest freestanding mountain.
Kilimanjaro - A magnificent volcano in East Africa
Located in northeastern Tanzania, near the Kenyan border, Kilimanjaro is a massive stratovolcano with three main peaks: Kibo (5,895 m), Mawenzi (5,149 m), and Shira (3,962 m). While Mawenzi and Shira are extinct, Kibo still exhibits natural gas emissions.
Passionate about trekking for many years, Lee Si Young and her friends chose to challenge themselves in Tanzania to explore the pristine beauty of this land. The journey was not just a sightseeing trip but also a test of endurance and willpower for the actress born in 1982.
Marangu Trail: A popular choice for hikers
There are many routes to reach the summit of Kilimanjaro, but Lee Si Young's group chose Marangu. This is the most popular route due to its shorter duration and moderate difficulty. In particular, travelers taking this route can rest in shelters with electricity, providing better warmth compared to camping outdoors.
A notable stop on the journey is Mandara Hut at an altitude of 2,720 m. Here, the vegetation changes dramatically with altitude, from dense tropical forests at the foot of the mountain to sparse areas in the middle and finally to a high-altitude desert landscape with rare ancient plant species.
A grueling physical challenge at the summit of Uhuru.
The trek to reach an altitude of 5,895 meters typically takes 5 to 9 days. Experts recommend that visitors allow at least 6 days and 5 nights for their bodies to adapt to the changes in pressure and temperature. Lee Si Young revealed that there were days when she had to walk continuously for 16 hours.
The final leg of the trek from the camp to the summit of Uhuru usually begins at midnight to catch the sunrise. This is the most challenging part, with thin air and biting cold. However, the reward for perseverance is the breathtaking view of the Milky Way and the sea of clouds from the highest peak in the continent.
Practical experience for travelers who want to go trekking.
The best time to climb Kilimanjaro is from July to September when the weather is most stable. October is usually windy, while the remaining months are prone to rain and fog, limiting visibility. To make the trip, visitors must purchase a tour through a travel agency that provides guides and porters.
Notably, scientists predict that the ice sheet on the summit of Kilimanjaro could disappear completely between 2022 and 2033 due to climate change. This makes the peak even more of a coveted destination for adventure enthusiasts before the landscape changes permanently.
Besides her acting career, Lee Si Young is also known as a professional boxer who has won numerous championships in South Korea. Her physical endurance, honed through sports, is key to overcoming challenging trekking routes around the world.
