Mountain Guide Likes Mormon Climbers
By Sharon Haddock
Mormon Times
Published 2009-05-12
Tanzanian mountain guide Bryson Mandari has taken 307 Americans to the top of Mt. Kilimanjaro.
More than half of those hikers (153) hve been from Utah--and most of them are Mormon.
As a result, this Lutheran East African is a vocal and ardent cheerleader for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints.
Mormon adventurists refer each other to Mandari because he's and experienced guide who has respect for the LDS culture and beliefs.
"He's a deeply religious fellow," said Paul Barker, who recently climbed with Mandari. "He is, in fact, a devout Lutheran. Our
church is not in Tanzania."
But Barker said Mandari's spiritual nature, sense of humor and gentle personality puts him on common footing with most LDS hikers.
In his journal, Barker wrote: 'Bryson our guide was a master of not only the physical aspects of the ascent but knew how to encourage those
that were struggling. He called out to Joe Deluca, 'J.D., I love you.' Then he would sing the Kilimanjaro Song."
In his personal journal, John Evans, a stake president from Irvine Calif., wrote:
Aug. 25, 2005--Bryson is our head guide. He calls me Babu (pronounced: BAAH-boo)-- "grandfather"in Swahili. A name of of honor in
their large families.
On the steep trails the sound of boots clomping up, poles jangling with each placement in a rhythm, everyone breathing in a rhythm. Dust kicking up around the
dirt-caked boots, clomp, clomp, clomp, poles, clank, clank, clank, "pole, pole" (guide Bryson, says, meaning "slowly," and
pronounced "POL-ay"). Bryson sang in Swahili, "Jambo Bwana," a trail song.
At the tower Bryson and Nico and I were standing alone. Nico said to Bryson, "Mr. John is a man of God." Bryson asked what church.
When I said "Church of Jesus Christ," he said, "You mean 'of Latter-day Saints,' the 'Mormons'? They are the best people."
They both commented, noted, no coffee, smoking, alcohol, etc. Bryson said that he had taken many Mormons on Kili. He estimated 400. One comes
back every year. Rick Nelson, a doctor, to do volunteer work for children in need. He is from Provo.
Mandari also helped DeLuca, a hiker from Missoula, Mont., summit Mt. Kilimanjaro and descend again after DeLuca slipped on a loose rock and tore
the meniscus in his knee on the third fay of the climb. DeLuca said Mandari didn't physically carry him along but encouraged him with words and
made every effort to make the climb possible for the injured man.
"Going uphill was easier because I could walk on my toe but coming down was harder," DeLuca said. "Every step on my heel hurt. Because of him, I had
a great trip. I think about that trip every day of my life. I had walking sticks but Mandari walked with me, made sure taht I stayed up with the group."
said Barker, "This guy is incredible. He's a great motivator."
Mandari has been a guide in East Africa for 15 years. He started as a proter for $8 a day plus tips. He then worked for BikeHike Adventures for
several years before going out on his own.
He has summited Kilimanjaro 489 times and the neighboring peaks, Mt. Meru--a strato volcano tht rises to 14,980 feet-and Mt. Kenya, numerous times.
When he was a young man, he climbed to the top of Mt. Kilimanjaro in 21 hours, setting a record in 1998. The average trip to the top and back takes
about a week.
He has a 90% success rate in Mt. Kilimanjaro.
"This mountain is no walk in the park. It is 19,340 feet," Barker said. "You go from the jungle and the rainforest to glaciers of ice."
As the 2006 group summited, Barker wrote: "Arn in arm we arrived just behind Bryson. It was one of the greatest emotional and even spiritual
highs on my life arriving with my two sons who I truly love. We embraced and then embraced Bryson."
Via e-mail, Mandari described Mormons as "very co-operative and honest."
He said many of his customers encouraged him to start his own tour company, which he has done. It is called Bryson Adventures & Safaris.
He's hoping word-of mouth will help his business in this tough economic time.
E-mail:haddoc@desnews.com
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