Iconic ambassador Cairn, Vanessa Morales embarked on an extraordinary challenge: to complete three ascents of Kilimanjaro in record time and attempt to break the women's FKT (Fastest Known Time) on one of the most demanding routes.
Her goal? To make her mark in history while experiencing an intense human adventure, full of self-surpassing, solidarity, and resilience.
THE ORIGIN OF AN UNCOMMON CHALLENGE
The story begins in 2019. Vanessa tackles Kilimanjaro for the first time via the Western Breach route, the most difficult and dangerous path to the summit.
She completes the ascent in 9h58 round trip, an achievement but her time cannot be homologated.
The reason: her Tanzanian guide, Ronald, suffers a severe altitude sickness. Vanessa stops her clock to help him. This heroic act saves his life, but the record slips away from her.
Determined and passionate, she never gave up on her dream. Her goal remains the same: to return, face herself, and achieve this record.
KILIMANJARO, ACT II: AN ADVENTURE IN 3 ASCENTS
Two years later, Vanessa returns to Tanzania for an extraordinary adventure: to complete three ascents in nine days. A colossal physical and mental challenge.
1ˢᵗ ASCENT: HUMANITY ABOVE ALL
For this first ascent, Vanessa accompanies Julien Vedani, a Frenchman with multiple sclerosis who dreams of climbing to the roof of Africa.
Equipped with an exoskeleton and aided by Vanessa and her guide, Julien embarks on this extraordinary battle.
After five days of effort, he reaches 4,100 meters in altitude before having to stop, exhausted, but achieves an exceptional performance nonetheless.
Very moved and inspired by his determination, Vanessa continues the ascent for him, reaching the summit alone.
2ⁿᵈ ASCENT: THE UNLIKELY REMAKE OF 2019
A few days later, Vanessa sets off again on the formidable Western Breach, the route of her missed achievement in 2019. She is on time but everything changes at 5,000 meters: her two guides fall behind.
Lost in the fog, waiting for 54 minutes in freezing conditions, Vanessa nearly succumbs to hypothermia. She finishes the ascent exhausted, in 16 hours instead of the planned 10 hours.
A new setback but no question of giving up.
3ʳᵈ ASCENT: THE DELIVERANCE
After only two days of rest, Vanessa tries her luck one last time, this time on the Mweka route, longer but less technical.
She revises her strategy: two guides take turns to secure the ascent.
This time, everything falls into place. She reaches the summit in 8 hours and speeds down. Result: 11h33 round trip, more than two hours better than the previous women's record set in 2018.
Vanessa achieves a historic feat: three ascents in nine days with a new record to her name.
A TRIUMPHANT RETURN... BEFORE NEW CHALLENGES
Back in France, Vanessa is already resuming training. The Kilimanjaro adventure marks a memorable milestone, but her competitive spirit drives her to look towards new goals, including an ultra-trail in Mexico.
Through her determination, courage, and humility, Vanessa fully embodies the values of Cairn: passion, commitment, and self-improvement.
And one thing is certain: Vanessa's story is just beginning.
