Who is behind The Big Climb?
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.
United Teams
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.
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Join the Big Climb
You can be a part of The Big Climb!
Contact us if you are interested in joining The Big Climb of Mount Kilimanjaro or to Everest Base Camp: challen@kiworld.org
Organize an activity in support of our efforts. Climb, trek, run or walk when others are participating in The Big Climb through The Big Climb app. Participate as an individual or within a group.
Highlight your activity through social media, using #SupportTheBigClimb. Raise awareness about the need to support sustainable mountain development.
Fundraise using our donation platform, or directly for an organization dedicated to sustainable mountain development.
The Big Climb Partners
The foundation is a long-term partner of climb organizer Kilimanjaro Initiative. They are assisting The Big Climb with fundraising efforts.
Sport and Sustainability International’s mission is to accelerate sustainability in and through sport. We are proud to support The Big Climb in its contribution to the SDGs, particularly as related to health.
The United Nations Federal Credit Union (UNFCU) is sponsoring the training and climb for eight youth from disenfranchised communities in East Africa.
10 Kenyan and Tanzanian youth selected to do the climb will also take part in a six-month mentorship program, designed and funded by PDAID Foundation.
The Sustainable Mountain Alliance (SMA) supports The Big Climb through its mission of facilitating the transition to sustainable sport and tourism in the mountains.
The IYM2022 aims to raise awareness about the role of mountains and mountain people for our planet and sustainable development as well as for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It is a chance to catalyze action and investments to build the resilience of vulnerable mountain communities and ecosystems in the spirit of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development: to leave no one behind. The IYM2022 is coordinated by the Mountain Partnership, a partner of The Big Climb.
JOIN OUR HASHTAG
#SupportTheBigClimb
Contribute to raising awareness and funds for sustainable mountain development projects. Post your achievement on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter using #SupportTheBigClimb
On 19 October, 34 climbers including Tanzanian and Kenyan youth, elite mountain runners, arctic explorers, politicians, industry leaders, and COVID-19 experts will climb to the summit of Africa to highlight the need for equitable access to vaccines. Climbers will reach Uhuru Peak on United Nations Day, 24 October. Funds raised through the.big.climb will go towards the Go Give One campaign, managed by the WHO Foundation, and the African Union COVID-19 Response Fund.
sustainablemountainalliance has focused on ensuring the.big.climb is conducted sustainably, offsetting our GHG emissions through solar investments for the local Marangu Hospital and supporting achievement of the UN #SDGs #sdgaction #supportthebigclimb #sustainablesport #sustainabletourism #mountainsmatter #kilimanjaro #vaccinejustice #trailrunning
Thanks to the commitment of the.big.climb partners and supporters phoenixdesignaid SalomonRunning UNmountains #kilimanjaroinitiative SandSI UNFCU UNFCUFoundation Gavi AfricanUnion AfricanCDC DNPDA sautikuufoundation ethiopian_airline
The Big Climb, from 19 to 25 October, will assist 180 guides, porters, hotel staff and their families in the #Kilimanjaro region. That’s at least 800 people who have not been forgotten because of #COVID_19 #supportthebigclimb
World record holder for fastest unassisted ascent / descent of Mt Kilimanjaro Simont Mtuy will lead the ascent to the summit of Africa.
#vaccinejustice #climb #trailrunning #kilimanjaro #supportthebigclimb
KI are proud to announce the participation of Mira Rai of #Nepal on The Big Climb. Former child soldier and now champion trail runner. Follow her at miraraiofficial
#running #climbing #kilimanjaro #vaccinejustice #SupportTheBigClimb
We are so proud of Fred and how he represented Sauti Kuu on The Big Climb!
aumaobama
#SupportTheBigClimb #partnership #kilimanjaro #aumaobama
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Want to support this mission?
Be a part of The Big Climbs. In parallel with the Mount Kilimanjaro climb and Mount Everest Basecamp trek, organize your own activity. Raise awareness on the need to support sustainable mountain development. Raise funds for projects that will make a difference in communities, using mountains as vehicle for creating better and more sustainable lively hoods.
Funds will go to recognized community-based projects.