Kilimanjaro: watch out for discarded rappers. Photo: Marc van der Chijs
Just when you thought it was safe to climb Africa’s highest peak without bumping into a personality and the accompanying film crew comes the news another ‘celeb’ is planning to summit Kili.
This time, it’s singer Justin Timberlake, who hopes to get to the top of the 5,892m (19,330ft) volcano, along with the improbably named rapper Lupe Fiasco and an Ethiopian-born singer Kenna. Trekkers should avoid autumn this year, when the celebs will be hitting the trail to Uhuru Peak.
The project is ostensibly to raise awareness for the need for clean water in Africa.
The Timberlake venture follows this year’s successful ascent by motormouth DJ Chris Moyles, boy-band idol Gary Barlow and their posse of minor celebrities who did the trip for Comic Relief.
Kenna has already attempted the trip once and failed when he succumbed to a reaction to his altitude medication. The ascent is no picnic: we reported last month how a top mountain medic described Kilimanjaro as one of the most dangerous in the world.
Still, Justin, famous for hits such as SexyBack and My Love, is working on his VO2, so at least his hair should be part-way nice and shiny. And maybe his lungs will work better too.
Lupe Fiasco, on the other hand, is working on how best to sabotage his fellow singer Kenna’s attempt by ‘lacing his coat with ants’.
More usefully, grough readers can find out more about the clean water issue by visiting WaterAid’s website.
