No matter the year, Lake Country's Derek Jory doesn't have an off-switch, and 2024 was no exception.

From working on a writing children's book to organizing 40 people to go to a Seattle Seahawks game, he and his wife recently hiked Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, Africa in October. (just before the Seattle trip).

Since March 2023, Jory has also been studying to become a Wim Hof instructor, which is about connecting lifestyle with nature and the natural environment. When he started that journey, he went to Poland and took part in a winter expedition hike. Making friends with others in the group from all over the world, Jory kept in touch with them. Last October, one of the women in the group, Nina Devito of Ireland, reached out to Jory and asked if he and his wife were interested in hiking Mount Kilimanjaro one day.

When Jory asked his wife, Tasha, she said "I'll come to Africa next time," to which he responded "There is no next time," with a laugh.

The October trip was set and off they went to Africa, hiking along the Lemosho Route of a dormant volcano in Tanzania. 

There were eight people in Jory's group, including his wife Tasha, four women from Ireland, one person from the United Kingdom (UK), and one from America who now lives in the UK.

But in total, there were 40 people in the group, including 32 from the company Climbing Kilimanjaro, which includes guides, cooks, washroom technicians, people setting up camp, and more.

"For six days, you're gaining elevation but it's nothing too strenuous, there's no technical parts," said Jory. "There's one part called The Kissing Rock where you kind of hug this rock, you're shimmering pretty close, and you definitely don't want to fall."

On the last day gaining elevation, the group sets off at 11:30 p.m. on a journey referred to as summit night. 

"You get up there and it's absolutely breathtaking," said Jory. "It's the roof of Africa, you don't even know where to look and pictures don't do a justice."

On top of enjoying and taking photos at the top of the mountain, the two of them also wanted to think about the people who had helped them get here and to know that they were thinking of them. Jory took a photo at the top holding a photo of his aunt, who's currently battling cancer, and a photo of a friend of his and his wife, who died last year.

"We tried to think of the people in our lives who gave us strength and who helped us make it to the top," said Jory.

It was story time at the summit as Jory had brought along a copy of his children's book, The Perfect Stick. As well the Seattle Seahawks fan to a photo with the team's flag. He added that book sales are surging in Africa right now.

However, what goes up, must come down.

"You only talk about summiting, you don't think about going down," said Jory.

In total, the group hiked about 16 or 17 hours in a 20-hour span on summit night. When leaving the top, they hiked for 2-2.5 hours to the next spot for a quick rest and lunch before grinding another four hours to the next camp.

"By the end, your lower body feels like 150 years ago, your knees and everything just needs a break but again, you're in Africa, you're hiking Kilimanjaro so you're never really feeling sorry for yourself," said Jory.

As it's a lot faster going back down the mountain, it was a three-hour hike down the next day to conclude the journey. 

"Everything was absolutely perfect, everybody was so nice," said Jory, who stated there was a lot of singing in the group the entire eight days.

On average the group hiked 8-10 kilometres per day, giving credit to the team at Climbing Kilimanjaro who helped everyone throughout the journey.

The employees from the company hike Kilimanjaro two to three times a month. The oldest person to hike Kilimanjaro was 86 years old and the youngest was six years old.

Jory added there was no animal threat throughout the trip and the guides told them the biggest threat was ants, which ended up in Tasha's boots on the first day. However, on that day, they also saw monkeys in the trees when walking through a jungle area.

"Highly recommend if anyone's interested at all," said Jory. 

What's the next incredible feat for the Jorys? When they got home, Tasha brought up going to Everest Base Camp with the kids. Nothing is booked yet but the plans are in the works for 2025.