Jaden Mungure: An 11-year old Tanzanian-American boy who conquered Mt Kilimanjaro

At 11 years of age, Jaden Philip Mungure rose to the challenge. The Tanzanian- American boy residing in Oregon has accomplished one of the most daunting tasks any hiker would partake in on earth; he climbed to the top of the highest free-standing mountain in the world.

Located in Tanzania, Mt Kilimanjaro rises approximately 5,895 metres (19,341 feet) above sea level.

The terrain to the summit is challenging, and it is the kind of thrill that climbers are looking for.

At 11 years of age, Jaden braved the cold, rough terrain to stand at the highest point in Africa.

Jaden recalls his journey to the top of the mountain. He admits that, at the beginning, it was not easy.

The idea to climb the mountain was brought up by his dad, an avid climber who has on many occasions summited the mountain, and he urged his son to try.

“He has been talking to me about it since 2021,” Jaden recalls. They had months to get ready for the challenge ahead and to prepare for the expedition in Kilimanjaro.

Jaden rode his bike and hiked the hills in Oregon for a few months to get in shape and play basketball in middle school.

Months passed and he was finally at the bottom of the humongous mountain, ready to take the steps to the top.

He endured six gruesome days ascending the Machame route.

The first day was the longest and hardest; his feet started to cramp up, and fatigue settled in, but in Jaden’s mind, this journey was more than just climbing the mountain.

“I made a deal with my dad that if I get to the top, he will give me $500,” he laughed.

The playful banter and bet showed the competitive nature that Philip has instilled in his son.

Philip was confident that, with or without the bet, his son had the heart and the strength to summit the highest peak in Africa and a little incentive would just add fun to their adventure.

So together they climbed, the father alongside his son.

“I have always told him success comes with discipline, listening, being respectful, and working hard on one’s goal,” Philip said of Jaden.

Jaden’s dad was a guide for several years, having climbed Mt Kilimanjaro many times.

It was easy for him to tell when a person could climb the mountain, and he had complete faith that his son was able to reach the top.

Philip is originally from Arusha, and he has been able to take his son there, visiting Arusha National Park and seeing most of the big five. His favourite animal is a cheetah.

“I love cheetahs because they are fast,” Jaden proclaimed.

Pushing against the pain of the first day, the dehydration, and muscle fatigue, Jaden was all smiles alongside his dad as they reached the summit of Mt Kilimanjaro.

He was filled with joy and a new sense of confidence in taking on the enormous challenge.

The dad honoured the deal and deposited the $500 of which Jaden is saving, still undecided what to do with his newfound fortune.

“I don’t have anything in mind yet about what to do with the money,” he said.

Upon returning to Oregon, the story of an 11-year-old boy climbing Mt Kilimanjaro was the talk of town.

When the pictures were posted on social media, they attracted the attention of the media, and a television station in Portland, KATU (channel 2), reached out to them for an interview.

Two magazines and two local television stations reached out to Philip, wanting to hear of Jaden’s summiting the 19,341-foot mountain.

At his school, he showed his friends the pictures of his adventure, and the excitement among the children was through the roof.

They all thought that it was cool that he was able to climb the mountain and hoped they would get a chance to have that experience in their lives, and he hopes his friend Clinton will one day climb Mt Kilimanjaro.

Philip has taken pictures to remember this very moment, where he got to have a special bonding session as he saw his son follow in his footsteps and, with pure determination, conquer the mountain.

He has proudly posted the photographs of him and his son taken during this adventure, and he has repeatedly shared them with his American friends.

This is not the only time Jaden’s dad has posted about Tanzania and told his friends about all the attractions and wonders the country has and encouraged them to visit.

He has frequently done so.

Philip is currently focusing on his construction company.

He has stepped away from directly getting involved in the tourism business, the industry that he has worked in for the last ten years, but he still finds time to promote Tanzania’s tourist attractions.

He has posted about his adventures whenever he visits home. In this expedition with his son, he splashed the pictures on all social media, beaming with joy at what his 11-year-old son was able to achieve against all odds.

Jaden had lived in Tanzania for 6 years before relocating to the US and still has family in Arusha.

He admittedly misses being with them, but he has visited there twice and is hoping to go back again.

Though his home is America now, part of his heart will always call Arusha home.