Solo to Seven

At 3:00 a.m., feeling like she was freezing to death on the starry, pitch-black slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro, it occurred to Shirley that perhaps she should have booked the ultra-deluxe hiking excursion that she had read about instead. Join Shirley on her inspirational, yet perilous journey as she prepares and trains for a hike of a lifetime. After climbing death-defying trails in California, she travels to Africa where she fears for her life after she drinks untreated water, takes terrorizing bus rides, learns to love the toilet tent, dines on unusual Tanzanian cuisine, suffers altitude sickness, and makes a summit attempt on Mount Kilimanjaro while carrying six people in her backpack. Outfitted with her backpack and a duffel bag stuffed full of determination and dreams, she sets off on what was sure to become a life-altering adventure. Tharp's debut memoir is full of details that will make you laugh out loud and shed tears of joy and sorrow right along with her. Included are tips and information on what to pack, what to wear, vaccinations and visas, weather, and climbing routes. Tips you may not have thought of, yet need to know if you embark on your own trip of a lifetime, or just dream of going, are shared in this glimpse into an actual trek on Mount Kilimanjaro. Many full-color photos included