It didn’t start with a detailed plan, rather a simple idea: to do something spectacular on the year she turned 50.

Lynn Foulke, CEO of RE/MAX Results, wanted to do something grand and meaningful to honor her 50^th year.  But she didn’t just decide to climb a mountain one day.  Rather the mountain, and not just any mountain, but Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest mountain in Africa and one of the “7 summits of the 7 continents”, called to her; and that Lynn says is where the real adventure began.

To prep for her journey, Lynn spent 7 months physically and mentally training.  She kicked up her training routine a few notches with various core, aerobic and strength conditioning such as yoga, hiking, indoor and outdoor stair climbing, running, biking and circuit training.  And in June of 2011, Lynn, along with six other trekkers, three guides and 21 porters, spent six days putting her skills to the test; climbing to 18,638 feet to reach Gillman’s Point (one of three summit points) on Kibo Peak of Mount Kilimanjaro.

During her journey Lynn trekked through various climate zones beginning at an altitude of 6,000 feet in the hot and humid 90 degree rainforest, through the heather, moorland and arctic desert moon-scape terrain up to the glacier capped summit – frigidly cold at minus 10 degrees.  Lynn trekked over snarly roots and unforgiving rocky terrain with the last 4000 feet of the steep summit ascent covered with pulverized volcanic rock that had no discernable foot hold.   The last 1000 feet consisted of a nearly vertical climb over a large boulder field.  All this exertion while air pressure and the ability to assimilate oxygen continually decreased to 50% of sea level conditions.

Lynn considers herself fortunate that her body was able to acclimate well.  And at the end it was sheer mental fortitude that propelled her forward just twenty paces at a time until she pulled herself up over the crater rim.

At 6:15 a.m. on her final day of ascent, Lynn reached Gilman’s Point just in time to experience a breathtaking sunrise over the African continent.  Breathtaking it was as the ultra thin atmosphere produced a clarity and vibrancy of color that appeared to redefine the color spectrum.  The intensity of emotion of the moment was surprisingly more than words could describe.

And it was in that moment that Lynn vowed that she would return and return she will in June of 2012 with a new set of adventure seekers she is currently assembling.  Different route, more trekkers, same mountain, same guides, same exhilaration – spectacular!

Lynn says that while most people enjoy hearing stories about the mountain expedition, there is actually a story behind the story.  She explained that it was the country of Tanzania and the people of Tanzania that you couldn’t help falling in love with.  They are kind, gracious, welcoming and for a people who have so very little, truly grateful for what they do have.

Tanzania is indeed a country of great need.  The group that she toured with visited many longstanding church, educational, agricultural, medical, clean water, and orphanage projects sponsored by various organizations including the St. Paul Lutheran Synod and the University of Minnesota.

So inspired was she by these good works that in the short two and one half months since her return, Lynn and a friend of hers have already independently established two Tanzanian micro businesses, a porter assistance program and are in the process of organizing several Kilimanjaro fundraising treks.  These fundraising treks are for the benefit of the Tanzanian people such as for scholarships and endowments for secondary school tuition or malaria prevention.

As Lynn continues to pursue her goal of a second trek up Mount Kilimanjaro, she will continue her training through various local events including the Hartford & RE/MAX Results Breast Cancer Ride, the RE/MAX Results Saturday Cycling Rides and an upcoming Iron Girl dual-a-thon at the end of this month.

She says of all the things that her trek up the mountain epitomized for her is the necessity of feeling alive and full of life, creating your own life adventures – large and small, and taking the time to live in and cherish the moment.  Combine these adventures with doing good works for others and you have a recipe for fulfillment.

Do you have an interesting story to share?  Email pr@remax-nc.net.