CLIMBER BLOG: Michael Bonfiglio

Why I joined SOTSK

I ended up on Kilimanjaro after Kenna, the SOTSK team, and MTV contacted @radical.media, the company I work for, to create a film to document the expedition. I’d never climbed a mountain before, but after hearing about the project, I knew that whether I made it to the top or not, this was a once in a lifetime opportunity that I couldn’t pass up.

Climbing Kilimanjaro while making a film about the experience at the same time was unbelievably challenging (and given the ridiculously tight schedule we had for both shooting and editing, some might say it was insane). At any given time on the mountain, at least one of us on the film crew was sick and/or miserable, but everyone on our team showed an incredible amount of heart and dedication, maintaining great attitudes and capturing beautiful footage no matter what Kilimanjaro threw our way.

The climbers were extraordinary as well, allowing us complete access to their experiences and embracing us fully as members of their team. No matter how difficult things got, no one ever got irritated or scared about being filmed – even when they knew full well that what we were shooting was quite different from the polished images their fans are accustomed to seeing.

Without the incredible contributions and talents of any individual member of the team, our whole endeavor might have been an utter failure. Instead, we worked together and created something that we are all truly proud to share with the world. One of the things we all took away from this climb is that we can only accomplish so much as individuals, but when we work together anything is possible. This couldn’t be truer of the filmmaking experience. We hope that everyone who sees see the documentary “Summit on the Summit” gets as much out of our adventure as we did.

- Michael Bonfiglio

Director, “Summit on the Summit” Documentary

CLIMBER BLOG: Justin Wilkes

Why I joined SOTSK

Climbing Kilimanjaro was by far the hardest thing I’ve ever done physically, mentally and emotionally. And filming our adventure brought new meaning to our various job descriptions in a way no other project has before. To say that it was a once in a lifetime experience would be an understatement. It will be something that all of us will cherish and remember for a long time…and for me personally…I’m just grateful that we were asked to play a role in spreading the message of global clean water, off of the mountain and beyond through our film.

Chris Weil said it best at the NY premiere this past week – Kenna was the Pied Piper and we gladly followed him to one of the highest points on the planet to support and document a cause near and dear to all of our hearts. And the incredible thing that we all realized along the way was that none of us could have done it alone. It was because we were a group of actors, musicians, experts, activists, producers, directors, cinematographers, sound recordists, editors, guides and porters…that every single one of us made it to the top. Something that’s never been accomplished in a group of that size on any notable mountain…anywhere…any time. Coincidence? I think not.

That’s the power of Kenna.

Thanks to everyone from SOTS, MTV, P&G, HP, Microsoft, First Ascent and Thomson Safaris for an adventure of a lifetime. And of course to our incredible crew, who not only climbed but had to work the entire way up (and down).

On behalf of the filmmaking team, I hope everyone finds as much inspiration from the documentary as we have had making it.

- Justin Wilkes

Producer, “Summit on the Summit” Documentary

CLIMBER BLOG: Katie Cordes

Why I joined SOTSK

When Brooke and I first spoke over a year and a half ago, I knew we had to be a part of this trek. As the Kilimanjaro Program Manager at Thomson Safaris, I was excited to join with SOTSK to bring attention to the clean water crisis around the world, and specifically in Tanzania, a place we’ve considered a second home for 29 years.

I’ve been continually impressed by the dedication and determination of all the people involved in the SOTSK project. All of us at Thomson Safaris are honored to have helped plan this trip and to see it come to a successful close. On the trek we discussed turning talk into action, and now that we’re back home, the real-life benefits of SOTSK are already happening. 

We at Thomson have been inspired… We speak about water and the SOTSK trek with our guests; we continue conserving water on our treks and safaris; and we’re now supporting PUR’s work in Tanzania by using PUR sachets to purify all the water on our Kilimanjaro treks.

These are small actions done in one small niche of the world, but that’s the point. It takes people from all walks of life to makes changes as they’re able – no matter how small – to conserve, educate, and be aware of the world around you. 

I’m so thrilled that we were able to be part of this trek and the successful summit of all 45 team members!

- Katie Cordes

CLIMBER BLOG: Travis Miller

Why I joined SOTSK

I was recruited by Shannon who I’d worked with before on a music concert. I was brought on at first to start documenting everything as well as shoot and edit viral videos to engage social media. I started last July then was laid off when the dates pushed then brought back on in September.

My main role became managing all of the tech equipment, compiling and uploading photos from the climb to website. HP was generous and hooked us up with laptops for our climbers and production staff. We had to outfit them for the altitude and make sure they were protected from the elements. All of the climbers got digital Canon cameras as well to document the climb through their eyes.

Each day I’d climb then go straight to the media tent when we got to camp to set everything up: tables, chairs, generators, computers, battery charging stations for cameras and BlackBerries, as well as laptops for any climbers that wanted to write blog posts. We’d grab a different camera each day from one of the climbers and that’s what ended up on the site in addition to Jimmy Chin’s & Michael Muller’s photos…20-100 photos a day. The quality of our photos are top notch thanks to Jimmy & Michael as well as the creativity of the climbers. A couple of the nights ended up going really late, with us working long after everyone else had gone to sleep because we spent a lot of time selecting the best photos then uploading everything via satellite. 

My main takeaway is that three days in, I didn’t know if I was going to survive working and hiking 14 hour days. But the incredible atmosphere of teamwork of the climbers combined with being out in the fresh air and the fact it’s important to get this word out, made it possible to push through all the technical difficulties. I’d never done anything like it and really enjoyed climbing and learning how to work in a mobile production environment.

- Travis Miller

CLIMBER BLOG: Michael Muller

Why I joined SOTSK

I got involved with SOTSK over a year ago when Kenna asked me if I had any interest in climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro with him. It took me all of about 2 seconds of deep insightful thought before I could answer him with certainty that hell yes I’d go. I had spent many years under water and on mountains but this would be my first at that altitude. Kenna is an enigmatic person that has that glow of a dreamer and being a dreamer myself I jumped right into his dream with him and was honored to be a small part of a huge mission.

I took away many things from the climb, most importantly a deep and utter respect for how important water is for our survival as a race and how fortunate one is if they have access to clean drinking water. Until I saw lack of water with my own eyes, it was still difficult to know how blessed I really am to have access for myself and my family. I also took away personal internal mementos such as smashing my will into oblivion by pushing my mind and body in new ways I hadn’t known. I took away friendships I believe will be lifelong. I took many things for which I’m a fuller man for it. I also gave a piece of me on that climb so I like the balance of give and take. 

- Michael Muller

CLIMBER BLOG: Brooke Fedro

Why I joined SOTSK

In April of 2008, Kenna shared an idea. Climb Kilimanjaro with people who can help lead and guide the water issue. It became my job to give his vision a pulse and strong legs to walk on. It was simple, this was a story that needed telling…an issue that needed light. Little did I know that almost 2 years later I’d be able to look Kenna in the eye and say, “We did it!”

Not only did we bring together amazing minds and immensely supportive partners for a challenge that would test us all, but we did it with grace, with elegance and with a passion to create real change. I know that this is just the beginning…that the water issue is bigger than climbing one mountain, but it has been extremely rewarding to watch a group like ours come together, sacrifice the usual comforts, force our minds and bodies to the limits all in the hopes of making the world a better place.

Directing this project has been a powerful personal and professional accomplishment. I am forever grateful to our staff who made the impossible possible and the climbers who decided this was the cause they wanted to support.

So it all begins with a summit…now is when the story really starts.

- Brooke Fedro

CLIMBER BLOG: Melissa Arnot

Why I joined SOTSK

About a year ago, First Ascent signed up to be the official expedition outfitter for SOTSK. They offered to send a mountaineering expert who could also serve as a medical guide, which is what got me involved as one of First Ascent’s athletes.

I’ve been guiding since 2004 and have been up Mt. Everest twice including once for National Geographic so I’m very familiar with mountain productions and telling the story of a climb. I’ve always wanted to come to Kilimanjaro but this was the first time the timing worked out. I’d also worked on the philanthropic project for Product Red Everest in 2008 so was really intrigued by the purpose of SOTSK.

My biggest takeaway occurred to me on the summit. As a guide I’m constantly evaluating peoples abilities to challenge themselves in the face of pain, discomfort, adversity and weather conditions. I wondered if individually each of the climbers would have been capable of reaching the summit. Kenna didn’t make it as an individual but he did together with everyone else, which speaks to the whole purpose of the climb.

Our group succeeded because we created a community without pressure united for a cause with an incredible support system.

- Melissa Arnot

CLIMBER BLOG: Jimmy Chin

Why I joined SOTSK

Like water ties all of us as together in our everyday lives as one of the most critical resources in the world, it ties this team that was brought together…

When I first got called about SOTSK, I wasn’t initially interested. In our core community, Kilimanjaro isn’t something professional climbers aspire to climb. When I told my friends about it, most of them rolled their eyes, so I kind of brushed it off. I also normally set January aside to be home and ski since I spend so much of the year on expeditions around the world.

But then Kenna called me and everything changed. I’d never met him, knew nothing about him and took him at face value. He was just another guy, in a man-to-man conversation.

I was moved and impressed by his humility, passion and sincerity. And that’s hard to do over the phone when you’ve never met someone. Especially since I had my bullshit radar on high. There are a lot of causes out there and a lot of places to put your efforts. Before SOTSK, water efforts weren’t anything I’d ever focused on. But what hit me listening to Kenna was that he was clearly passionate about creating positive change. And when I began to understand what he was trying to do and how he was going to do it, I told him I was in.

I’ve been fortunate to shoot with some of the greatest climbers, skiers and alpinists all over the world. We’re a small, tight-knit community of core adventurers who function at an extremely high skill level. If they were playing mainstream sports, they’d be garnering multimillion dollar contracts, but they do what they do whether they’re getting paid or not. It became my calling to share their incredible feats with people who otherwise would never see them. To show the human potential and the human spirit. To capture the human potential in, literally, another landscape.

I signed on to SOTSK because I realized that this effort wasn’t so much about the climb. It was about gathering a diverse cross-section of people who speak to cross-sections of communities. There are a lot of causes where you’re preaching to the choir. I saw the genius of bringing together so many different kinds of talented people to show how this cause connects everyone. And what drew me in was the idea of a small group that could create great change.

I’ve always believed great changes come from the vision of a few individuals.

Everyone’s out of their element and I’m so impressed with how everyone dealt with the challenges. It tells me a lot about why they’re successful in the other parts of their lives. It’s been great to see in how many ways and how easily this diverse group of people were able to connect…to see the great spirit and passion that all these people live by and how by putting them together, they’re truly greater than the sum of their parts.

- Jimmy Chin

CLIMBER BLOG: Jason Walsh

Why I joined SOTSK

I overheard Shannon talking about the project when it was still just an idea and they were structuring the team. Shannon, Jess, Kenna and I were all mutual friends. They knew how strenuous the hike would be since Kenna had attempted it once and they asked if would help train them. I was happy to be brought on. I had some previous experience climbing and also knew what a great opportunity it would be to climb to 19,000 feet with friends. They knew my philosophies about training involve putting your health first. At the start, believe it or not, some of the people didn’t move very well. And when you’re climbing a mountain, there are a lot of different types of movement so if you’re not moving correctly, you’re like a misaligned car and you’ll break down. I knew I could be an asset to the team and really help people prepare which would give them a better chance of summiting.

In terms of my takeaway, I’ve thought a lot about how my perspectives have shifted. I grew up in the Ozark Mountains in Missouri. Years of working hard to climb the ladder in the training industry, can lead to losing perspective of what life is really about. I recently went through a breakup with someone I care greatly for and I spent a lot of time thinking while on the climb. It’s a change in perspective that I needed…but I didn’t know that until it hit me like a ton of bricks. It’s involved letting go of ego. It’s getting back to being who you are. Knowing there’s a really good person in there and sometimes you can get caught up in it

Being on Kilimanjaro and meeting these amazing people from all walks of life determined to make a difference together has been incredible. I’ve literally been so happy. It even drew me to tears at dinner one night. And I feel like when you’re happy with yourself, everything else comes naturally.

- Jason Walsh

Justin Timberlake ‘In Awe’ Of ‘Summit On The Summit’ Climb

Film that documents the climb airs Sunday at 9 p.m. ET on MTV.

By James Montgomery

Justin Timberlake was there when his pal Kenna decided to climb Mount Kilimanjaro. In fact, he encouraged him to do it, and is “bummed” that his schedule didn’t allow him to join his friend on the trek.

“Kenna and I, every winter, we find a place to go snowboarding, and we were up on a mountain somewhere, snowboarding,” Timberlake told MTV News. “We got onto the lift, and Kenna was talking about how, before, he had tried to climb Kilimanjaro.” And there, the idea for “Summit on the Summit” was hatched.

Unfortunately, due to work conflicts — the trek up Africa’s highest peak was rescheduled several times and ultimately collided with Timberlake’s filming for “The Social Network” — Justin didn’t actually get to make the climb with Kenna. Instead, the likes of Lupe Fiasco and Santigold and actors Jessica Biel, Emile Hirsch and Isabel Lucas made the climb up Kilimanjaro, but Timberlake remained close to the action, getting daily updates on the trek.

“I was getting sort of a texting diary from day to day,” Timberlake recalled. “And the one thing I heard was … the hardest part was the last day, obviously, because not only were they climbing from 16,000 to 19,000 feet, but that extra 3,000 was really brutal, because of the altitude. And on top of that, I think they woke up at 2:30 in the morning and had to climb the last 3,000 feet. I heard from all of them that the last 3,000 feet, every breath counted. Every single time you could conserve oxygen, you could feel it. It really counted. … I’m in awe that they did it. I’m really impressed.”

Timberlake did record an introduction to the film that documents the climb — and highlights the global issue of clean water — called “Summit on the Summit: Kilimanjaro.” The 90-minute doc premiered Wednesday night in New York and will air Sunday at 9 p.m. ET on MTV. And just because he didn’t actually climb the mountain this time around, don’t count him out just yet.

“I was bummed that I wasn’t able to do it, because I thought it would be a cool thing to do. Maybe one day I will,” he laughed. “But it’s really an inspiring idea and an inspiring task, and I was very proud of everyone who was involved with it. … It says a lot about all the people who were involved in the climb, that they were sort of willing to put themselves out there … to have cameras on them 24/7 and to say, ‘Well, if this has any effect on anyone who’s watching it, or creates any type of awareness, and gets $10 from one person, well, that’s amazing.’ “

Tune in to “Summit on the Summit: Kilimanjaro” Sunday at 9 p.m. ET on MTV. And find out what you can do to help solve the global water crisis now at the“Summit on the Summit” Web site.

http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1633839/20100312/timberlake_justin.jhtml