Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Posted: 5:40 p.m.
By Reuben Frank
CSNPhilly.com
Chad Lewis and the rest of the NFLs Wounded Warriors climbing party reached the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro early Wednesday morning.
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The group, which also includes former Eagles defensive coordinator and Titans head coach Jeff Fisher and former Patriots linebacker Tedy Bruschi, left the Barufu camp at 15,000 feet at 2 a.m. local time Wednesday, which was Tuesday afternoon EST, and arrived at the highest point in Africa about seven hours later after a very difficult and steep climb, much of it through snow and icy conditions.
Lewis, a three-time Pro Bowl tight end with the Eagles, participated in the eight-day climb as part of the NFLs Wounded Warriors Project, which supports and empowers veterans who have suffered serious injuries in combat once theyve left the service.
Four wounded warriors accompanied Lewis, Fisher and Bruschi on the climb, and three of them reached the summit. One climber was forced to turn back after experiencing problems with a prosthetic leg.
We started hiking after sleeping for only about three hours, said Fisher, Buddy Ryans secondary coach in 1986 and 1987 and defensive coordinator from 1988 through 1990. Extraordinary effort on behalf of everyone. Its a thrill to be able to reach the summit. Overwhelming.
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A group of close to 50 guides and porters also made the climb to the peak of Kilimanjaro, which towers 19,340 feet above northern Tanzania.
This was an epic adventure, Lewis said. It was something else to stand on the Uhuru peak at the summit. We conquered Mount Kilimanjaro, standing on the roof of Africa with Team Hard Target! This is a great way to shine a huge spotlight on Wounded Warrior Project.
Lewis is an experienced climber and hiker from his days growing up in Utah, but he said on the hikes web site -- www.believeinheroes.org -- that this week-long climb was very challenging. Lewis had never before scaled a mountain above 15,000 feet.
It was a very tough climb, he said. Were a little oxygen deprived. The air is so thin. It was amazing, absolutely incredible!
After a quick celebration on Kilimanjaros so-called Uhuru peak -- or Freedom peak -- the group began its descent. By mid-afternoon, they had arrived at Mweka Camp at 10,000 feet elevation. Theyll hike down to the Mweka Park gate at 6,000 feet and receive certificates for reaching the summit, then hike one more hour to Mweka Village, where theyll be driven to their hotel.
E-mail Reuben Frank at rfrank@comcastsportsnet.com.