Nat Shaffir: Ultimate Kilimanjaro Guides Holocaust Survivor to Summit
Nat Shaffir conquers Kilimanjaro to become the first Holocaust Survivor to summit.
On August 24, 2019, Nat Shaffir was on top of the world. He reached the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro, the tallest peak in Africa. His body was physically exhausted, but his spirit was overjoyed. “I was in seventh heaven,” Shaffir recalled.
His Early Years
In 1942, when Shaffir was five years old, his family’s dairy farm in Romania was confiscated. The family was forced to relocate to the Jewish ghetto in Iasi. Before Shaffir’s father was taken away to a distant labor camp, he left his son with a piece of advice that would define the rest of his life.
But when things became arduous, he heard his father’s words:
“Never give up.”
The three words that traveled from a 1942 Romanian ghetto to the roof of Africa.
Climbing Kilimanjaro
Mount Kilimanjaro stands 19,340 feet above sea level. It is a formidable challenge due to its extreme altitude. Shaffir kept a slow but steady pace on the mountain, though he struggled to eat due to a loss of appetite—a common symptom of altitude sickness.
“Climbing Kilimanjaro at my age was tough,” Shaffir admitted.
🏔️ Lead Guide Perspective: Raymond, our lead guide for Nat’s expedition, noted that “pole pole” (slowly, slowly) was the key. At 83, the cardiovascular system takes longer to adapt to thinning oxygen. We monitored Nat’s vitals every four hours, focusing specifically on his hydration and lung sounds to ensure his determination didn’t override his physical safety.
“Nat had great endurance and determination,” said lead guide Raymond of Ultimate Kilimanjaro. “Climbing Kilimanjaro is a big accomplishment for anyone, but for an 83-year old, it is remarkable.”
Inspiring Others
Shaffir climbed Kilimanjaro to inspire others to challenge themselves to do the same. Today, he and his wife have five children and 12 grandchildren—all of them named after family members lost during the Holocaust. His message to those in troubling times: “Never give up.”
Nat Shaffir on the summit. Photo courtesy Nat Shaffir.
Our Commitment to Extraordinary Climbs
Ultimate Kilimanjaro® is the #1 guide service on Mount Kilimanjaro. With more than a decade of experience, we lead over 150 climbs per year with more than 1,000 adventurers annually. Visit ultimatekilimanjaro.com for more information.
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