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Legless up Kilimanjaro
07/02/2003 13:24 - (SA)
Sydney - An Australian hoping to become the first double amputee to climb Mount Kilimanjaro was Friday just days away from conquering Africa's highest mountain.
Warren Macdonald, 37, had both legs amputated above the knee four years ago after a climbing accident in which he was trapped for two days beneath a one tonne slab of rock.
Macdonald, accompanied by Hamisi Lugonda, a 19-year-old Tanzanian farmer born without arms, set out on January 24, hoping to climb the 5 895 metre peak in three weeks.
Fifteen days into the climb, the pair are 445 metres from the summit, according to a report by Australia's AAP news agency.
Madonald told AAP by satellite phone that he was in good spirits but feeling tired and dehydrated.
"We may also be experiencing some altitude sickness," the adventurer and motivational speaker said.
His first climbing exploit came just 10 months after the accident that nearly cost him his life.
He climbed Tasmania's Cradle Mountain using a specially built wheelchair. Then, with the help of a prosthetics expert, he developed tiny artificial legs. On these, he climbed the sheer 500 metre face of Tasmania's Federation Peak.
Macdonald trained for his record attempt in Nepal. - Sapa-DPA
- SAPA
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South Africa
