SUMMIT ON THE SUMMIT

Eddie Bauer / First Ascent is proud to have been the official expedition outfitter for SUMMIT ON THE SUMMIT: Kilimanjaro and to help raise awareness of the global clean water crisis.

THE MISSION

The SUMMIT ON THE SUMMIT team climbed Kilimanjaro to shout out about a worldwide crisis. A billion people around the world do not have access to clean drinking water, which perpetuates the spread of disease and ill health for millions of children in hundreds of countries around the world. To share these statistics and find solutions for this preventable issue, a group of leaders, influencers and advocates came together to ascend the summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro. The 19,340-foot journey was daunting and physically demanding, but it's nothing compared to the reasons they climbed - to help those who face a much steeper obstacle every day.

To learn more about the clean water crisis and help make a difference through making a donation and learning more to spread the knowledge, visit summitonthesummit.com.

The SOTS:K climbers included internationally recognized influencers as well as men and women who have either made an exceptional global impression around the water crisis or proven to be a leader in youth activism. These two groups represent influencers and educators. They climbed Kili as a team; communicating about the issues around access to water, learning of solutions to the problem, discussing how to improve social awareness and embracing the idea they are now the example for showing ways to take action and give back to those with little or nothing. Through their extraordinary effort, SOTS:K will directly support nonprofit organizations provided safe, clean drinking water solutions to struggling communities… giving future generations the chance to thrive.

SUMMIT ON THE SUMMIT was the first Kilimanjaro expedition for First Ascent guide Melissa Arnot. Her skills as a trained wilderness emergency medic helped to keep the climb safe, but its her extraordinary and compassionate approach as a mountain guide and teacher that benefitted the climb the most.