Dr Art Ulene officially becomes the oldest person to climb to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro at 5,895m above sea level, smashing the previous record set by Anne Lorimor in July, 2019, who summited at 89 years and 37 days. This just goes to confirm that age is nothing but a number because at Tranquil Kilimanjaro, we have guided many 60 year old, 70 year olds and even 80 year olds including at 10 year old that did the a 2 weeks 2 peaks challenge of Mount Kenya and Mount Kilimanjaro. You can read about her incredible story below of how her climb helped her raise awareness to end rape and gender based violence in India.
Youngest person to summit Kilimanjaro and Mount Kenya
At 19,341 feet (5,895 meters), Mount Kilimanjaro stands as Africa’s highest peak and the world’s tallest freestanding mountain. On his 90th birthday, retired OB-GYN and former NBC Today Show medical contributor Dr. Art Ulene reached Uhuru Peak, officially becoming the oldest person to summit the iconic volcano.
His daughter, Dr. Valerie Ulene, confirmed the achievement, and the retired physician celebrated with cake, singing, and dancing atop the mountain in classic Ulene style—joyful, determined, and full of life.
How He Prepared
At an age when many people slow down, Dr. Ulene trained with the same discipline he brought to his medical career. His routine included:
- Climbing at least 50 flights of stairs, three days a week.
- Regular walking sessions motivated by a delightful reward system: gelato.
“I say to myself, if you just get out the door and walk to the nearby gelato place a mile and a half away, you could have a small gelato—and that gets me right out the door,” he explained. On longer walks, he rewarded himself with bigger cups and multiple flavors.
This lighthearted approach kept him consistent. More importantly, Ulene had already summited Kilimanjaro twice before. In 2022, he turned back at around 17,000 feet when he wasn’t feeling well. “I repressed my ego and went back down,” he said with characteristic honesty. That experience taught him valuable lessons about listening to his body while still pushing his limits.
Below is an interview on YouTube where Dr Art Ulene explains his love for trekking and his ambition to become the oldest human to climb Kilimanjaro in Tanzania.
The Route: Lemosho
Dr. Ulene chose the Lemosho Route, widely regarded as one of the most scenic and least steep paths up Kilimanjaro. This gradual western approach offers excellent acclimatization opportunities through varied landscapes—lush rainforest, alpine moorland, and high desert—before the final push to the crater rim. The route’s longer profile helps trekkers adjust to altitude more comfortably than steeper, more direct trails like Machame or Umbwe.
Ulene completed the Lemosho Route over a 7-day trekking period as part of a full 12-day expedition. He reached the summit early Monday morning on his 90th birthday after a steady, methodical ascent.
The Climb and the Summit Moment
Ulene described the physical challenge in wonderfully practical terms:
“It’s really not that hard. It is a 35-mile uphill walk. And the way you do this is you put your left foot forward, and then you put your right foot in front of your left foot. And then you repeat that 55,000 times.”
He followed the classic Kilimanjaro mantra of pole pole (“slowly, slowly”), pacing himself carefully. On summit day, he made the final steep section in the pre-dawn darkness and arrived at Uhuru Peak in time to watch the sunrise over Africa.
The celebration on the roof of the continent was unforgettable. A birthday cake appeared at the summit, followed by singing and dancing. A representative from the National Park Service was reportedly present to witness the historic moment.
A Doctor’s Philosophy on Aging
For Dr. Ulene, this climb was never just about breaking a record—it was about proving a deeper point.
“Most people worry about their lifespan. Smart people worry about their health span—that’s how much of your life you’re in good health. I want those to be equal. I want to be in perfect health until the day I die.”
He has long rejected the stereotype that old age must mean decline. As a physician, he acknowledges that some physical changes are inevitable, but he believes the vast majority of decline can be mitigated through consistent effort.
“Let’s get rid of this notion that old age is a time for decline. It’s time for growth.”
He added that he’s actually in better shape today than he was at age 50. His secret? Never leaving too much potential “on the table” and viewing challenges as learning experiences rather than failures.
Record Status and Future Ambitions
Ulene’s achievement unofficially surpasses the previous Guinness World Record held by American climber Anne Lorimor, who summited at 89 years and 37 days in July 2019. As of the latest reports, Guinness had not yet officially verified the new record (the verification process can take up to three months).
When asked about even bigger challenges, Ulene didn’t rule out attempting Alaska’s Denali (20,310 ft). His daughter Valerie laughed at the idea but acknowledged her father’s remarkable track record of doing what he sets his mind to.
Training for Kilimanjaro Treks for climbers in their 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s
The Previous Record: Anne Lorimor at 89 years old
Before Dr. Art Ulene’s climb, the officially recognized Guinness World Record for the oldest person to summit Mount Kilimanjaro belonged to American climber Anne Lorimor. She reached Uhuru Peak in July 2019 at the age of 89 years and 37 days, and she remains the oldest woman to summit Kilimanjaro. Her achievement stood as the benchmark for nearly seven years and highlighted that advanced age doesn’t have to be a barrier to tackling one of the world’s great trekking challenges.
Anne Lorimor, 89 becomes the oldest person to climb Mount Kilimanjaro
Why Kilimanjaro Is Possible for Senior Climbers
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Kilimanjaro is uniquely suited for older climbers compared to most other high mountains for several important reasons:
- It’s a trek, not a technical climb
Unlike Everest, Denali, or many Himalayan peaks, Kilimanjaro requires no mountaineering skills, ropes, ice axes, or crampons. It is essentially a very long, uphill walk. Anyone with decent fitness and the ability to walk for several hours a day can attempt it. - Excellent acclimatization routes
Routes like the Lemosho Route (which Dr. Ulene used) are longer and more gradual. They give your body more time to adjust to altitude, which is the biggest challenge on the mountain — not the steepness. - Slow and steady pace (“Pole Pole”)
Local guides emphasize walking very slowly. This reduces the risk of altitude sickness and makes the climb more manageable for people of any age, including seniors. - Strong support system
Professional tour operators provide porters who carry most of your gear, experienced guides, cooks, and often a doctor or medical team on the mountain. Many companies now specifically cater to older trekkers with modified itineraries and extra rest days. - High success rate with proper preparation
Thousands of people over 60, 70, and even into their 80s successfully summit Kilimanjaro every year. The key factors for seniors are:- Good cardiovascular fitness and leg strength
- Thorough medical clearance
- Choosing a longer route (7–9 days)
- Training with regular walking and stair climbing (exactly what Dr. Ulene did).
- Mental determination and realistic expectations
Dr. Ulene himself summed it up perfectly when he said the climb is really just “a 35-mile uphill walk” done one step at a time. With the right route, proper training, and professional support, Kilimanjaro remains one of the most realistic big-mountain goals for active seniors who want to push their limits and prove that age is truly just a number.
An Inspiring Message for All Ages
Dr. Art Ulene’s story is more than a mountaineering feat—it’s a powerful reminder that age is truly just a number when paired with the right mindset, consistent preparation, and a refusal to accept limiting beliefs about growing older.
Whether you’re 30 or 90, his simple wisdom resonates:
“If you want to find out who you really are, then you need to stretch your limits… This risks what some people would call failure. I do not call that a failure. I call that a learning experience.”
From stair climbs rewarded with gelato to standing on the roof of Africa on his 90th birthday, Dr. Ulene continues to show us what’s possible when we choose growth over decline.
Happy 90th birthday, Dr. Ulene — and congratulations on an extraordinary summit!
