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By Billy Singleton | Contributing Writer

The concept of Mother’s Day Out has become increasingly popular in recent years. Allowing Mom a day of much needed rest and relaxation, free of the responsibilities of managing a household, a career and caring for children is important to the overall well-being of the family. In a recent twelve-day period, Chilton County Administrator Sylvia Singleton elevated the concept of Mother’s Day Out to new heights. Instead of enjoying a day of repose from the challenges of her responsibilities in the office of the Chilton County Commission, Singleton, accompanied by her daughter Sally who organized the adventure, ascended to the peak of the highest mountain in Africa.

Mount Kilimanjaro is a massive dormant volcano located in Tanzania. At 19,340 feet above sea level, it is also the highest free-standing mountain in the world. Mount Kilimanjaro is notable as the highest volcano in the Eastern Hemisphere and the fourth most topographically prominent peak on Earth. Even though the ascent is not as technically challenging as similar mountains, the elevation of the peak of Kilimanjaro poses a serious risk of frost bite and altitude sickness.

Following a twenty-two-hour, multi-leg journey by airline, Sylvia and Sally arrived in Tanzania where they initially traveled to the base camp to meet their guide. The first day of the venture was dedicated to checking equipment, attending safety briefings and general planning for the ascent to Uhuru Peak. Special emphasis was placed on the dangers and symptoms of altitude sickness. It is important to consider that aerial tours of the mountain require both pilots and passengers to utilize oxygen when operating at aircraft cabin altitudes above 10,000 feet.

The 37-mile journey to Uhuru Peak was divided into five one-day segments to allow climbers to acclimate to the increasing altitude and decreasing levels of oxygen. The team included guides, a cook and porters to assist in transporting supplies for the climb and descent. Accommodation at each camp consisted of two-person tents. Traveling with a bare minimum of items that would fit in a backpack, changes of clothing had to be carefully planned and the luxury of hot water for baths remained at the foot of the mountain.

Each day of the climb presented new and difficult challenges. In addition to the rocky terrain that required considerable agility to navigate, the diminishing oxygen level made every step seem as though it were a mile in length. Even though the climbers spent a large part of each day hiking uphill, rest and sleep became increasingly difficult because of the below freezing temperatures and lack of oxygen.

The goal of the climb, Uhuru Peak, is the highest free-standing peak in Africa. Although the climb is popular with hikers, only 40% reach the summit because of the ill effects of altitude sickness and fatigue. Uhuru Peak is an arctic ecosystem that cannot sustain life for extended periods.

On day five of the ascent, the group began the final leg to the summit just after midnight. During the six-hour trek, the hikers experienced below freezing temperatures with winds gusting more than fifty miles per hour. The path was often treacherous because of ice and snow. Although the group carried drinking water, it quickly froze in the containers.

Reaching the summit, suffering from exposure to the cold and wind, Singleton experienced a rush of emotions; a sense of wonderment at the beauty of the world before her, and a feeling of pride in having completed a difficult and demanding journey with her daughter Sally at her side.

Because of the potentially dangerous conditions, time at the summit was limited to taking a few photographs and the opportunity to record their thoughts among those of previous climbers in a book stored in a protective box on Uhuru Peak.

Although downhill, the return journey was no less daunting. However, the increasing oxygen levels made the final miles seem less fatiguing and challenging. Arriving back at the point from which their journey began one week earlier, both mother and daughter received certificates to commemorate their successful ascent of the highest free-standing mountain in the world. Soon after the conclusion of the ceremony, the priority was a hot shower and a full night’s sleep in a real bed.

The intended purpose of Mother’s Day Out is to provide Mom with a day of rest and relaxation, free of the responsibilities of managing a household, a career and caring for children. For Sylvia and Sally Singleton, Mother’s Day Out became a once in a lifetime event. However, when asked about her plans for next year, Sylvia Singleton felt that a quiet day at home watching Christmas movies on the Hallmark channel would be just fine.