Rebecca Wade

GOAL ACHIEVED. NEW GOALS SET. That’s the only way I know how to live.
Climbing Kilimanjaro tested me in ways the stage never did — and I enjoyed those steps, as hard as some of them were. But this is home. The weights, the process, the build. Easing back in with a lean build to reconnect with where I’m at physically. A show might be in my future… or it might not. Either way, I’m here for the journey.
I’d love to know — what are you curious about when it comes to this process? The training? The nutrition? What it actually feels like to switch gears from a mountain summit back to building muscle? The mental side of it all?
Drop your questions below — nothing is off limits. 👇

Day 5 – Karanga Camp to Kosovo Camp

Day 5 felt like a pause, but a very intentional one.

We left Karanga Camp and made our way past Barafu, where most climbers stop before summit night. Instead, we pushed on for another hour to Kosovo Camp at 15,900 ft.

The goal was simple. Reduce the time we would need to climb in the dark. Small decisions like that matter up here.

The day itself was one of the best we had. Clear skies, warmth, and a chance to sit, dry out our gear, and take in where we were. After a few tougher days, it felt like a reset.

That afternoon, we went over the plan with our guides. Two groups, staggered starts, and for the first time, one guide per person. Everything was set.

And then the mountain shifted.

The calm turned into wind and snow. The tents didn’t stop moving, and sleep was minimal. You could hear the first group leave into the dark, and it made everything feel very real.

Fifteen started this journey. Twelve made it here.

And that night, we went for the top.

Day 1 – Machame Gate to Machame Camp

It’s been a month since I got home from what truly was the trip of a lifetime…
and I’m finally sitting down to share it properly.

This is the first post in a series walking you through the Kilimanjaro climb - day by day.

Day 1 started at 5AM.

There’s something electric about that pre-climb energy…
strangers becoming teammates, nerves masked by laughter, bags being stuffed and restuffed.

UGOIMPACT brought together an incredible group for this trek - and you could feel it from the very start. Supportive, positive, and all in it together.

We started climbing at 1pm. The trail didn’t ease us in - mud, rain, and a long first climb.
And I’ll be honest, I felt it. I was still recovering from being sick and running low.

But the energy of the group carried us forward.
Step by step, we kept going.

7.5 hours later, we reached camp - wet, tired, but proud.

Day 1 done.
And we were just getting started.