Jessica Biel, along with the Summit on the Summit team, made it to the top of Mt. Kilimanjaro. This was the first time that a team of cultural influencers and clean water advocates climbed the mountain to raise awareness of the global clean water crisis.
“I’m never going to do that again,” Biel said. “It was such a challenge for me. It was probably one of the hardest things I’ve ever done… Sometimes it was kind of miserable. Altitude sickness is like a general uncomfortable, uneasy feeling. You just can’t think straight.”
While Jessica won’t be heading out again herself anytime soon, she recommended climbing Kilimanjaro wholeheartedly. “Hiking for seven hours a day and sleeping in tents and being out in the wilderness was a real experience everyone should try,” she said. “We’ve raised some awareness for the water problem and that was the whole idea.”
The purpose of the climb was to raise money and awareness of the global clean-water crisis, to help spread the message about the initiative globally. Summit’s partner, Water.org explores solutions to the clean water crisis by improving access to safe drinking water around the world.
The Summit on the Summit team began their climb up Mount Kilimanjaro on Thursday, January 7, 2010. Kenna, the expedition leader, reflected with pride on the impact: “I am proud of the Summit team and their endurance and focus to reach the top of Kilimanjaro. But I am more thankful that when we got there, everyone was still clear on why they climbed — everyone deserves clean water and Water = Life.”
Is Kilimanjaro a “walk-up” or a grueling test of human endurance? The answer is: both. While it is non-technical, the 19,341-foot altitude is a “great equalizer” that challenges everyone from elite athletes to Hollywood stars.
🏔️ Case Study: Jessica Biel’s Summit
In 2010, actress Jessica Biel joined the Summit on the Summit team to raise awareness for the global clean water crisis. Despite being in peak physical condition, Biel was candid about the difficulty: “It was probably one of the hardest things I’ve ever done… Sometimes it was kind of miserable.”
Her experience with altitude sickness—feeling “unable to think straight”—is a common reality on the mountain. Her success via the 7-day Lemosho route proves that while it is a struggle, it is an achievable one with the right support and itinerary.
Why Fitness Isn’t Everything
As Jessica Biel’s journey showed, altitude sickness doesn’t care about your gym routine. To make the climb “easier,” you need to focus on two things:
- Acclimatization: The Summit on the Summit team spent a full week on the mountain. This is why we recommend 7-9 day routes over the shorter 5-day options.
- Mental Resilience: When the “misery” hits at 16,000 feet, your mindset is more important than your muscles.
Is it right for you?
Ready to test your own endurance? Check out our Kilimanjaro Routes to see which path to the summit is right for you.
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