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28 - The Oakville Beaver, Friday November 30, 2007 www.oakvillebeaver.com Senior at peak of her life's adventure By Tahir Gora SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER An Oakville senior may be the oldest woman to climb the world's highest free-standing mountain -- Africa's Mt. Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. Since returning to her Oakville home after climbing to the top of Uhuru Peak on Mt. Kilimanjaro, 77year-old Anne Windh, has been in touch with the Guinness Book of World Records. She is waiting for confirmation on whether she is the oldest women to climb the highest peak -- 5,895 metres above sea level. Regardless, Windh didn't complete the climb to get in a record book, she was just interested in the challenge. A late-blooming adventuress, Windh admits she led a sheltered life until the break-up with her husband more than a dozen years ago. "I have lived a sheltered life, raised three kids," she said. "I was very dependent on my husband 'til the time we got separated from each other in Look for our Boxing Day Starts Now Flyer in today's paper! (Only in selected areas.) See in store for complete details. the mid-nineties. After the separation, she learned basic things such as how to pay bills, how to deal with a landlord and how to handle legal issues. "All of sudden, I decided to do something. Before, I was just a housewife. I did few jobs such as receptionist. After marriage, my husband wanted me to stay at home." She bought her first kayak in 1995 and started paddling in the rivers. A year later, she embarked on her first adventure, a 24-day kayak trip. Windh was born in Denmark and migrated to Canada in 1953. Though she has traveled back and forth to Europe many times, this was her first trip to Africa. Her trip included a two-week safari in Nairobi before she embarked on the six-day climb up Mt. Kilimanjaro. The climb required a lot of preparation. Windh booked her mountain guide six months ahead. She maintained a regular fitness schedule including climbing the stairs at her 11-storey building twice a day and visiting the gym three times a week. "I always keep myself fit," she said. Still, her family members cautioned her against the climb. They warned her about the dangers of the path to Uhuro Peak, of which they learned through the Internet. Undeterred, Windh, was accompanied by a young Italian AT HER PEAK: Oakville senior Anne Windh climbed to the top of Mt. Kilimanjaro in Africa earlier this fall. Windh is 77 years old. couple and an Irish couple. "They were in their twenties," she said. After six days of climbing, Windh reached the top of the peak where she stood for 10 minutes at 10 a.m. on Oct. 11 -- a bright sunny morning. She describes the last day's journey to the top as the most exhausting -- they started at midnight and ended at the peak point in the morning. She achieved the feat through all sorts of weather. "There was rain, wet snow and warm days," she said. "But I did it, it was an awesome experience, though, I am not going to repeat it." After climbing the peak she was presented with a certificate signed by the director general of Mt. Kilimanjaro Parks, that reads: "Anne E. Windh has successfully climbed to Uhuro Peak of Mt. Kilimanjaro in Tanzania." The certificate details the height of the peak. Mt. Kilimanjaro is described as "a mountain where you can hike for more than 90 kilometres, gain 4,000 metres in altitude, traverse rain forest, moorland, alpine desert, snow fields and ice cliffs, all virtually on the equator." Recognize the warning signs of STROKE Weakness Sudden weakness, numbness or tingling in the face, arm or leg Trouble Speaking Sudden temporary loss of speech or trouble understanding speech Vision Problems Sudden loss of vision, particularly in one eye, or double vision Headache Sudden, severe and unusual headache Dizziness FACTORY DISPLAY SALE! This Saturday at Broom's... Sudden loss of balance, especially with any of the above signs 3440 Fairview Street Burlington Heating · Air Conditioning · Fireplaces Fairview Street 905-634-7701 Winner Monday-Friday 8:00am - 4:30pm Saturday 10:00am - 4:00pm Commerce Crt Walkers Line Guelph Line PROVIDING COMFORT FOR 80 YEARS OPEN SATURDAYS QEW If you experience any of these symptoms, call 9-1-1 or your local medical emergency number immediately. www.heartandstroke.ca