Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro is an extraordinary adventure that attracts thousands of trekkers every year. Standing at 5,895 meters (19,341 feet) above sea level, it is the tallest mountain in Africa and the highest free-standing peak in the world. The journey offers the rare opportunity to pass through five distinct climatic zones, from lush rainforests to arctic conditions near the summit.
This past August, Melissa McClure, Senior Global Tourism Sales Manager at the Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau and co-chair of the BABCPHL Emerging Leaders Group, jumped into that adventure alongside her husband and two close friends. Going straight from the plane to the mountain, she was immediately met with the challenge of a lifetime.
Melissa is no stranger to adventure. Having self-guided the Salcantay Trek to Machu Picchu and spent countless days on hiking trails, she approached Kilimanjaro with her usual enthusiasm and positive outlook; eager to see where the climb would take her. Guided by Zara Tours, she recounted the first four days: the supposed “luxury” of having her tent pitched on her behalf and a bathroom available, nightly health check-ins to ensure everyone was acclimating, and the rhythm of life at camp. Evenings were filled passing around a book and reading aloud to one another, Sudoku, and Monopoly playing cards.
On Day 3 she experienced a true “aha” moment—looking up at a sky so bright with stars it felt like daylight. Every night, the group recorded their vitals at 10/10, despite the headache or exhaustion. They kept her spirits high as the air grew colder, the terrain rougher, and the incline steeper. Hot meals from their camp chef became essential fuel and were often served in generous portions to make sure the group stayed strong.
Melissa and her husband standing at Stella's point, atop of Mt. Kilimanjaro.
Day 7 was summit day. After a short night of rest, the group set off around midnight to face the steepest, coldest, and windiest section of the mountain. At 5,200 meters Melissa began experiencing the worst symptoms of altitude sickness. Even the most experienced climbers can struggle in this final stretch. But through determination and her “10/10” mentality, Melissa pushed on to Stella Point.
At Stella Point, 5,756 meters (18,885 feet), as the sun rose, she reached her highest point on Kilimanjaro. The achievement was commemorated with a well-earned safari and time in Zanzibar, a celebratory close to an unforgettable trip.
Looking back, Melissa reflects that this journey was not simply about reaching the top. It was about being present. While the summit was the goal, what she carries with her most are the nights of camping, the laughter over card games, the views along the way, and the moments spent reading aloud.
Her biggest lesson is captured in the Swahili phrase polepole, meaning slowly, slowly. The mountain taught her the value of acclimatization, of slowing down to stay grounded in the present moment rather than rushing ahead. Melissa connects this philosophy back to her work in global tourism and leadership. Just as in climbing, our projects and careers often push us to focus only on the future. For corporate leaders, this mindset resonates deeply.
Just as on Kilimanjaro, success in business requires balancing ambition with patience, recognizing when to press forward and when to pause. Growth doesn’t come from rushing to the summit but from steady, deliberate progress—checking in with your team, adjusting to changing conditions, and keeping morale high even when the climb gets steep. The lesson of polepole is a reminder that sustainable success comes not from speed alone but from presence, adaptability, and resilience.
Thank you, Melissa, for sharing your inspiring journey—a story of perseverance, presence, and passion.
This article was written by Mackenzie Sutton, Manager, BABCPHL.
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