The North Carolina native, Macon Dunnagan (R) posses for a photo with the writer of this feature
The North Carolina native, Macon Dunnagan, continues to prove that
age is not a factor as he did his 35th climb to the “Roof of Africa”,
Tanzania’s Mt Kilimanjaro, and the world’s tallest freestanding mountain
at 5,895m above the Sea level (19,341 feet) where he claims to ‘bury’
the remains of his late wife!
Recently, he broke a record for making the most Kilimanjaro summits
in one month when he climbed four times in 28 days. At 54 years old, he
serves as an inspiration for others as he still has climbs scheduled
through 2017.
Dunnagan made his first ascent in February 1999 with little hiking
and no mountain climbing experience and has yet to look back. He has
since become a Kilimanjaro specialist and expedition director for Zara
Tanzania adventures, a Tanzanian tour company based in Moshi.
In 2013, the Tanzania Tourist Board named Dunnagan as a Goodwill Ambassador of Tourism for Tanzania.
Speaking with Guardian in exclusive interview at Marangu gate on
mid-September 2014 during his 35th expedition when ascending from the
highest peak of Mt Kilimanjaro-Uhuru Peak (5,895 m ASL), Dunnagan
explained that he felt superior as he managed to lead a group of nine
Rotarians from different Rotary Clubs in the United States of America to
climb Mt Kilimanjaro to raise funds to end up polio worldwide.
When asked why Dunnagan climbs the same mountain over and over
again, he replied “I enjoy taking other people up Kilimanjaro and giving
them an appreciation for the mountain, what it is, the environment and
the people of Tanzania.”
In 2005, his wife was diagnosed with ovarian cancer and she
succumbed to the disease in August, 2007. He has since dedicated a
number of his climbs to raising awareness and funds for ovarian cancer
research and treatments by partnering with ovarian cancer expedition of
hope.
“I do remember, before my beloved wife passed away, she insisted me
to bury her on top of Mt Kilimanjaro. So in 1999 when I climbed Mt
Kilimanjaro from the first time I came with some ‘dusts of the remains’
of my wife’s body and burry it on top of Mt Kilimanjaro…” Dunnagan
explained exclusively.
According to him, he has also “tackled” polio, bringing new
awareness through his summits in collaboration with Rotary District
7680’s “End Polio Now.”
Though only a few countries still feel the effects of polio,
Dunnagan believes it’s important to continue with eradication efforts
until the disease is extinct. He has helped raised hundreds of
thousands of dollars for both causes and will continue to do so for as
long as possible.
In addition to his mountain climbing skills, Dunnagan is also a
published author. Sons of Kilimanjaro are his debut novel and it details
the summit of four men up Mt Kilimanjaro.
Commenting on the ‘uniqueness’ of climbing Mt Kilimanjaro, Macon
Dunnagan explains “Though it’s my 35 time to scale Mt Kilimanjaro to
the top, I’m now feeling very glad as I managed to lead a group of nine
Rotarians who scaled Mt Kilimanjaro for the cause…,” he boasted.
He recalls that last year’s Mt Kilimanjaro charity expeditions
dubbed ‘Mt Kilimanjaro 2014 Climb to end Polio Now’ started scaling up
the mountain on Monday of September 8, 2014 and descend on Saturday of
September 13, this year.
According to Dunnagan, in last year’s expedition, they had expected
to raise a total of USD 300,000 that would go directly to the Rotary
International End Polio Now project.
“In 2012, the climbers raised over USD106, 000 to help end polio
whereby 100 per cent of the contributions will go directly to the Rotary
International End Polio Now project…” they explained.
He said they started their 2014 Mt Kilimanjaro charity climb
through Rongai route under the guidance of the professional Mt
Kilimanjaro tour guides from ZARA Tanzania Adventures including Edwin
Kilawe.
An official from the Tanzania Tourist Board who was among the
people who officially received the expedition Augustina Makoye explained
that a report from Karen Hoffman, President of the Bradford Group based
in the US who is also the Tanzania Tourist Board representative noted
that he will climb the mountain to attract more travelers to Tanzania to
see the country’s exceptional blend of scenery of wildlife and human
culture.
According to her, Macon Dunnagan, continues to prove that age is
not a factor as he plans his 35th climb to the “Roof of Africa”, the
world’s tallest freestanding mountain at 19,341 feet.
When asked why Dunnagan climbs the same mountain over and over
again, he replied “I enjoy taking other people up the Kilimanjaro and
giving them an appreciation for the mountain, what it is, the
environment and the people of Tanzania.”
Elaborating on Tanzania, he said, Tanzania is the largest country
in East Africa that is focused on wildlife conservation and sustainable
tourism, with approximately 28 percent of the land protected by the
government, the largest percentage of any country in the world.
Presently it boasts of 16 national parks and 32 game reserves, 50
game controlled areas, one special conservation area (the Ngorongoro)
and three marine parks.
It is home to the Serengeti, to the "Great Animal Migration" that
was named the New 7th Wonder of the World by USA Today and ABC TV's Good
Morning America, the world acclaimed Ngorongoro Crater, often referred
to as the "Eden of Africa" and the “Eighth Wonder of the World.
Others include Olduvai Gorge, the cradle of mankind, Selous, the
world’s largest Game Reserve, Ruaha, now the second largest National
Park in Africa, the Spice Islands of Zanzibar, and seven UNESCO World
Heritage Sites.
Most important for visitors, the Tanzanian people with rich history
and diverse blend of cultures are warm and friendly. Tanzania is an
oasis of peace and stability with a democratically elected and stable
government.
For his part, the Kilimanjaro National Park (KINAPA) Chief Park
Warden, Erastus Lufungulo recommended the role played by Dunnagan in the
tourism sector of Tanzania worldwide, particularly in the US.
"This man deserves to be named as a goodwill tourism ambassador of
Tanzania in the US as he played a big role in the sector worldwide..."
he explained.
He also recommended the role played by the Rotary Clubs worldwide in various community development activities.
For her part, the Managing Director of ZARA Tanzania Adventures
(Zara Tours company) Zainab Ansell said that her company was established
in 1987, and currently the leading Mt Kilimanjaro and Meru outfitter in
Tanzania and one of the largest safari operators in the country.
She added that through Macon Dunnagan expeditions Tanzania will
have more tourism potentials in the US and the America in general.
It is home to the tallest mountain in Africa, the legendary Mt
Kilimanjaro; The Serengeti, home to the “Great Animal Migration” that
was named the James Lanka is a Science and Environmental Journalist
based in Moshi-Kilimanjaro Tanzania.
E-mail: jlanka6@gmail.com
SOURCE:
THE GUARDIAN
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