Arthur Ulene, 89, a retired gynecologist and former medical correspondent for NBC's Today show, is training to summit Mount Kilimanjaro on his 90th birthday, July 13. If successful, he will break the current Guinness World Record held by Fred Distelhorst, who summited at age 87. Ulene begins his expedition on June 27 with World Wide Trekking, following a longer but less steep route designed for his age and recent hip replacement surgery.

The 55 flights of stairs and the gelato reward

According to the source report, Ulene's daily training regimen is intense: three days a week of stair climbing aiming for 50 or 55 flights, weight lifting, and walking four to eight miles most days. He calls these walks “appreciation walks,” stopping to smell flowers and enjoy his neighborhood. He rewards his efforts with trips to gelato shops—a small cup from a shop a mile away, a large with two flavors from a shop four miles out. Ulene admits he doesn't particularly enjoy exercise but loves the way it feels and what it allows him to do.. This regimen reflects a philosophy of living up to one's potential rather than one's age, a theme that runs through his entire approach to this challenge .

A 90th birthday at 19,000 feet: Ulene's third attempt

Ulene has summited Kilimanjaro twice before, in 2011 and 2013, but his most recent attempt in 2022 was halted at 17,000 feet due to illness.. As reported, his upcoming expedition will be his most ambitious yet. He plans to be above 19,000 feet on his birthday. his wife, Priscilla, whom he has been married to for 65 years, is also an experienced climber who has summited Kilimanjaro twice. They trekked to Everest Base Camp together but turned back early, noting that “at their age, you just don't rush things.” Ulene will be supported by a guide and porters who will carry his gear, emphasizing that health comes first: “If I have any problems, if I am not well, I'll go down. There's no shame in that.”

The current record holder is 87 : can 90 eclipse him?

The current Guinness World Record for the oldest person to summit Kilimanjaro is held by Fred Distelhorst, who achieved the feat at age 87. Ulene's attempt, if successful, would not only break that record but also challenge stereotypes about aging. Approximately 40,000 people attempt Kilimanjaro annually,with a summit success rate of 45-65%, according to the source. Ulenes planned route is designed to accommodate his pace and health considerations. The broader context here is a growing trend of older adventurers pushing physical limits, but the open question remains: can Ulene, with a hip replacement and a history of altitude-related illness, complete the climb? The source does not mention any medical clearance from Guinness or a formal application for the record, leaving that process unverified.

What happens if he turns back? Ulene's own answer

Ulene is clear about his priorities: “Our goal is not to get me to the top, but to get me as far as I can go in good health.” This candor about potential retreat is rare among Everest-style narratives,but it raises several unanswered questions. The source does not detail what health checks Ulene has undergone, nor does it specify how his recent hip replacement surgery might affect the climb's technical demands. Additionally, while Ulene credits optimism and gratitude for his longevity, the report offers no independent verification of his fitness or medical readiness. The success of such a record attempt often hinges on support logistics and weather, which remain unaddressed in the brief. Still, Ulene's willingness to acknowledge failure as an honorable outcome sets a responsible tone for an endeavor that could inspire others to challenge their own limits.