Boskruin resident Nic Paidas (28) who was born with only a left, arm departed for north Africa on 6 December on his journey to become the first disabled man to climb Mount Kenya.
“I am at the dawn of my greatest adventure yet. Let the single-handed summits begin,” he wrote on his Facebook wall.
However, heading for the top peak of Mount Kenya is no cheap excursion. He budgeted R160 000 for his almost two-week long quest, of which he managed to raise R92 000. R80 000 of the money he plans to donate to Ann Chesire Homes in Boskruin where his father Theo Paidas lives. His father was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis a few years ago. Paidas’ love for rock climbing comes from his father, who took him rock climbing in Northcliff.
His friends Neil Margetts, Taryn van Olden and Justin Barlow headed out with Paidas – Barlow is filming the expedition and will produce a documentary.
Paidas has always admired Mount Kenya. “Kilimanjaro is the highest mountain in Africa, but Mount Kenya is the tallest technical climb on the continent – with Kilimanjaro you can walk to the top. We will climb the south east face of the Nelion peak.”
Paidas has been rock climbing for the past five years and climbs two to three times per week. “Climbing a rock face has never failed to offer anything but the same challenges, excitement and thrill that any 10-fingered climber would face.”
Details: Nic Paidas atsinglehandedsummits@gmail.com
