The Kili FKT project is hard to capture in one post, so I broke it into FAQs, and honestly, folks asked the best questions. This first installment on The Cairn Project blog digs into the gritty details: gear drops, food, hot soup, and all the chaos in between.
Before you dive into the FAQs, here is some context:
FKT
FKT stands for Fastest Known Time the fastest recorded completion of a given route, mountain, or trail. It’s part athletic test, part storytelling. Every FKT attempt is about laying down a marker: this is what’s possible, right now, in this body, on this area of the earth. On Kilimanjaro, the challenge was addressing speed, altitude, weather, logistics, and the unknowns of a 62-mile loop at 19,341 feet.
The Bigger Picture
This FKT was tied to something larger than the mountain itself. Every step carried the purpose of fundraising for Summit Scholarship Foundation, fueling opportunities for more women and girls to step into outdoor spaces with confidence. Turning a long-held dream into a fundraiser gave the effort more reach. A reminder that chasing something bold can ripple outward and open doors for others.
Why The Northern Route Variation
Most Kilimanjaro climbs stick to the southern trails and finish on one of two standard descents. The Northern Route is different, longer, quieter, and wilder, with views and terrain most climbers never see. We chose that path, but with a twist: instead of dropping onto the usual descent, we circled the mountain and returned all the way back to our starting point at the Lemosho Gate.