Climbers and trekkers from all backgrounds with the same purpose

The Founder of The Big Climb, Tim Challen was shot and injured during an armed robbery in Nairobi, Kenya. He subsequently founded non-profit Kilimanjaro Initiative (KI) to assist youth from disenfranchised communities in Kenya and Tanzania. The flagship initiative of KI is the annual climb of Mount Kilimanjaro, 5895m.

Since 2006, he has led over 650 climbers to the summit of Africa, to raise awareness on social issues affecting our communities.

In 2021, the Big Climb was re-branded, initiating a global movement and alumni of climbers who have been engaged since 2006, climbing together for diverse causes. Tim Challen was ordained into the Explorer’s Club, joining the world’s greatest explorers.

In 2022, the International Year of Sustainable Mountain Development, the Big Climb expanded to Nepal with a trek to the Everest Base Camp bringing together youth and multiple partners to bring support to local communities living at the foot of Mount Everest.

The Big Climb to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro and Mount Everest Basecamp bring together climbers from all backgrounds.

Annually, the Big Climb sponsors 10 East African youth to climb Mount Kilimanjaro joining representatives from the private and public sectors. Together, they demonstrate solidarity in the face of adversity. The selected youth undertake a week’s outdoor training prior to the climb and are mentored afterwards by the PDAid Foundation.

The Big Climb Nepal will also engage with local youth along the trek with a long-term goal of sponsored youth joining the annual Big Climb Nepal.

In both Tanzania and Nepal, the youth are joined by representatives from the private and public sectors, athletes, celebrities and others committed to supporting the local communities. The climbers are assisted by local support crews including guides, cooks and medical staff from communities through which the routes past.

I am text block. Click edit button to change this text. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.