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Kissing Kilimanjaro: Leaving It All on Top of Africa
* Entertaining climbing narrative about a destination many dream of visiting
* Perfect gift for adventure travelers and climbers alike
* Dorr's story was featured on the Outdoor Life Network's "Countdown to the 25 Most Dangerous Places"
Mount Kilimanjaro is sometimes called "Everyman's Everest" because it is possible for a novice climber to reach the summit. And every year, more than 30,000 adventure tourists try. But for each person who goes to the mountain, there are thousands more who chat about it at cocktail parties, making plans to go...someday. That's how Daniel Dorr got flirting with a beautiful brunette over hot cocoa and spouting impressive plans. Six months later, he was lying on the cold gravel trail at 18,000 feet, panting and hacking in the darkness.
Dorr is a typical marketing exec by day but, amped up by his re-acquaintance with a romantic interest, he gained the determination to pursue one of his lifelong dreams -- summiting Kilimanjaro. When Dorr left behind the familiarity of his weekend-warrior lifestyle in Southern California to reach the top of the 19,340-foot peak, he didn't realize he would cross a threshold to a new way of life. As he fondles expensive hi-tech gear, gets vaccinated for the jungle, travels local-style across East Africa, and vomits on top of the African continent, readers share in the rewards, both large and small, of reaching for personal fulfillment through adventure travel.
* Perfect gift for adventure travelers and climbers alike
* Dorr's story was featured on the Outdoor Life Network's "Countdown to the 25 Most Dangerous Places"
Mount Kilimanjaro is sometimes called "Everyman's Everest" because it is possible for a novice climber to reach the summit. And every year, more than 30,000 adventure tourists try. But for each person who goes to the mountain, there are thousands more who chat about it at cocktail parties, making plans to go...someday. That's how Daniel Dorr got flirting with a beautiful brunette over hot cocoa and spouting impressive plans. Six months later, he was lying on the cold gravel trail at 18,000 feet, panting and hacking in the darkness.
Dorr is a typical marketing exec by day but, amped up by his re-acquaintance with a romantic interest, he gained the determination to pursue one of his lifelong dreams -- summiting Kilimanjaro. When Dorr left behind the familiarity of his weekend-warrior lifestyle in Southern California to reach the top of the 19,340-foot peak, he didn't realize he would cross a threshold to a new way of life. As he fondles expensive hi-tech gear, gets vaccinated for the jungle, travels local-style across East Africa, and vomits on top of the African continent, readers share in the rewards, both large and small, of reaching for personal fulfillment through adventure travel.
235 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 2010
7 people are currently reading
186 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
January 5, 2012
I hope climbing Kilimanjaro is less painful than reading this book.
February 16, 2024
Finishing this while crossing the Zambian border from Malawi, two weeks before my own Kilimanjaro adventure certainly added to the ambiance of my read and is thus certainly biased. In reality, this is a personal travel journal (with some fun history tidbits and reflections thrown in), and not a novel per se. As long as your expectations align, a fun read and preview for those attempting the climb, those who have taken the journey, and daydreamers alike!
Also very much gives like 2004 Coldplay one world vibes, not in a bad way, just specific
Also very much gives like 2004 Coldplay one world vibes, not in a bad way, just specific
February 23, 2012
I read this to get ready to climb the mountain myself. It was informative and gave me a good idea of what I'm in for.
August 3, 2011
Kissing Kilimanjaro: Leaving It All on Top of Africa by Daniel Dorr was thoroughly entertaining and informative. I bought it based on something I rarely ever do: I read the first two paragraphs only. You can read a larger excerpt if you click on the book title a few sentences ago. Here is what hooked me:
"I used to wonder what would ever possess someone to trudge up a mountainside on the far sides of the planet, into harsh, frigid winds and thin air, thousands of feet above sea level. For decades men have died trying to reach Earth's highest points, to survive in places where humans were clearly not meant to endure. Was it for the glory of standing where few had dared to tread? Was it to test oneself against the elements and one's own inner weakness? Or was it simply another way to impress women?
For me it was a little of everything. But if I'm really honest with myself, I probably did it to impress a beautiful woman. ..." (Dorr, p.11)
Now, if you just laughed reading this, you're probably having a similar reaction to mine. Women often ask ourselves, "What is he doing?" or "Why did he just do that?" I have come to the conclusion that 50% of the time a man has not a clue what or why he is doing something and the other 50% he's thinking, "Did she see that? Oh, please tell me she saw that and is impressed because I don't think I can do it again." This book is openly honest about the fact that Daniel climbed one of the Seven Summits because Lisa smiled at him and told him one of her dream goals in life.
He's open about how much fun it is to buy gear vs. actually getting in shape to go. He talks about how people who climb mountains have a masochism fetish: they punish their bodies and call it fun! And when they get down, they're thinking about the next one and how soon can I get back up on something and which something should it be. There's something wired differently in the brain of someone who willingly, longingly, happily straps a backpack on and goes into the wilderness for weeks at a time.
The best parts of the book for me were when he talked about what it was like to travel through Kenya and Tanzania to get to Arusha and finally, Moshi. He describes the people they meet and the things they see in such a way that pictures begin to form in your mind. You want to meet these people and see a rhino in the wild. You want to go!
If you're an adventure junkie or just like stories that tell personal experiences, this is the next book you need to read.
"I used to wonder what would ever possess someone to trudge up a mountainside on the far sides of the planet, into harsh, frigid winds and thin air, thousands of feet above sea level. For decades men have died trying to reach Earth's highest points, to survive in places where humans were clearly not meant to endure. Was it for the glory of standing where few had dared to tread? Was it to test oneself against the elements and one's own inner weakness? Or was it simply another way to impress women?
For me it was a little of everything. But if I'm really honest with myself, I probably did it to impress a beautiful woman. ..." (Dorr, p.11)
Now, if you just laughed reading this, you're probably having a similar reaction to mine. Women often ask ourselves, "What is he doing?" or "Why did he just do that?" I have come to the conclusion that 50% of the time a man has not a clue what or why he is doing something and the other 50% he's thinking, "Did she see that? Oh, please tell me she saw that and is impressed because I don't think I can do it again." This book is openly honest about the fact that Daniel climbed one of the Seven Summits because Lisa smiled at him and told him one of her dream goals in life.
He's open about how much fun it is to buy gear vs. actually getting in shape to go. He talks about how people who climb mountains have a masochism fetish: they punish their bodies and call it fun! And when they get down, they're thinking about the next one and how soon can I get back up on something and which something should it be. There's something wired differently in the brain of someone who willingly, longingly, happily straps a backpack on and goes into the wilderness for weeks at a time.
The best parts of the book for me were when he talked about what it was like to travel through Kenya and Tanzania to get to Arusha and finally, Moshi. He describes the people they meet and the things they see in such a way that pictures begin to form in your mind. You want to meet these people and see a rhino in the wild. You want to go!
If you're an adventure junkie or just like stories that tell personal experiences, this is the next book you need to read.
April 7, 2017
This is not a bad bit of armchair travel, as it's a pretty focused description of what a trip to climb Mount Kilimanjaro might be like -- from the restaurant conversation where "hey let's do this" comes up, to buying gear, to the plane ride, to the hotels along the way, to the actual climb and what that might be like. Some of that is interesting.
But beyond that, I'm not really sure why this book exists. The author climbed the mountain once, failed on his first attempt, and then went back a few years later and got to the top. But it's not presented as "getting over this major failure." The failure comes about two-thirds of the way through the book and isn't alluded to before... the story, told very linearly, doesn't really ever come out with a thesis of what it's all about. It's not about figuring out his relationship that started around the same time as the trip planning (it almost seems it could be when he abandons his fiancee going up the mountain... but she's not mad about it and they're fine and then she largely drops out of the story). And boy, it's not about the politics of affluent white people mountain climbing in Africa, and it's rough going when it tries to be that in a few places (notably a moment where the author smiles at a local from a bus and considers it an act of international goodwill). So... we're back to armchair travel, I suppose? Better than no travel at all.
But beyond that, I'm not really sure why this book exists. The author climbed the mountain once, failed on his first attempt, and then went back a few years later and got to the top. But it's not presented as "getting over this major failure." The failure comes about two-thirds of the way through the book and isn't alluded to before... the story, told very linearly, doesn't really ever come out with a thesis of what it's all about. It's not about figuring out his relationship that started around the same time as the trip planning (it almost seems it could be when he abandons his fiancee going up the mountain... but she's not mad about it and they're fine and then she largely drops out of the story). And boy, it's not about the politics of affluent white people mountain climbing in Africa, and it's rough going when it tries to be that in a few places (notably a moment where the author smiles at a local from a bus and considers it an act of international goodwill). So... we're back to armchair travel, I suppose? Better than no travel at all.
January 27, 2015
I read this a few months after making it to Uhuru Peak myself, and it is really a great comparison to my own experience with Kilimanjaro. It brought me back to the paths of Machame, and made me realize that I wasn't alone in my experience. From the scenery to the internal struggle of summit night, it truly struck home! I really enjoyed when he spoke of how special Tanzania is, and how easy it is to fall in love with the lifestyle, the people, and their culture. Some of the simple things he experienced truly struck home with me and my own relationship with Tanzania. It was well written, from his own personal struggle, to facts and history of Kilimanjaro and it's people.
"It seemed ridiculous to smile at someone who is clearly not happy with my presence. But feeling protected in my little white bus and having no other ideas, I gave it a try. I turned back to the silent figure and returned his dark glare with a hesitant grin.
Almost immediately, the fierce warrior was transformed. His scowl vanished, and he grinned from ear to ear. His eyes beamed with delight and there was welcoming in his smile. I think he would have invited me for milk, (the staple drink for the Masai,) had we not been separated by the bus windows. I began to realize that my safety as a tourist-class traveler was costing me some real experience."
"It seemed ridiculous to smile at someone who is clearly not happy with my presence. But feeling protected in my little white bus and having no other ideas, I gave it a try. I turned back to the silent figure and returned his dark glare with a hesitant grin.
Almost immediately, the fierce warrior was transformed. His scowl vanished, and he grinned from ear to ear. His eyes beamed with delight and there was welcoming in his smile. I think he would have invited me for milk, (the staple drink for the Masai,) had we not been separated by the bus windows. I began to realize that my safety as a tourist-class traveler was costing me some real experience."
August 1, 2011
Props for being brutally honest about how difficult the altitude was to bear above 15,000 ft and for so lovingly portraying his soon-to-be wife. The climb portions of the book were interesting – but it’s only about 1/3 of the book. The rest of the book is kind of a tough slog. Perhaps this is intentional to mirror how tedious and dull (according to him) the summit climb is? Too many petty details and recalled inane conversations. He’s not particularly kind about his climbing companions, especially on the second summit attempt, when their worst betrayals seem to be that they were faster climbers than him. The author is sometimes frank about how his ego gets the best of him and it shows – and drags down this book as a result.
February 20, 2014
I think book is more enjoyable to those familiar with the Kilimanjaro hike and not those who are about to embark on the trip. I read this on the plane home and could relate to a lot of what was in it, and as such, I enjoyed the author's stories of his climb. On the other hand, it became laborious to read once it became clear that he was going to go on to describe a SECOND attempt to reach the summit. By the time it got to that point, I was ready for the story to be over. (Side note: I think it's a little ridiculous, given what happened to him on his first attempt, that the author still refused to take Diamox on the second attempt.)
July 12, 2013
I won this book through Goodreads First Reads. Thanks to Mountaineers for listing this giveaway.
A really good inspirational read. Very detailed. It is very obvious the love the author feels not only for the mountain and the adventure but also for his wife. There were moments when it seemed too detailed, and I felt like I was going away from the compassionate part of the story. Overall though it was a book that made me feel inspired to travel and inspired to do things I never thought I could do.
A really good inspirational read. Very detailed. It is very obvious the love the author feels not only for the mountain and the adventure but also for his wife. There were moments when it seemed too detailed, and I felt like I was going away from the compassionate part of the story. Overall though it was a book that made me feel inspired to travel and inspired to do things I never thought I could do.
March 28, 2013
Worst book I've attempted to read in a long time. Poorly written, douchey guy, blah.
Samples of the writing:
"All the victims had been underdressed for the harsh and constantly changing weather. This was a serious reminder to us that we were climbing a mountain"
"I was slowly realizing a little secret the mountaineer-writer Jon Krakauer never mentions: mountain climbing is actually pretty boring. At its core it's just hours and days of walking uphill"
"This was his job, his office. He could find his way up the mountain as easily as I could find my way to the candy machine at work."
Samples of the writing:
"All the victims had been underdressed for the harsh and constantly changing weather. This was a serious reminder to us that we were climbing a mountain"
"I was slowly realizing a little secret the mountaineer-writer Jon Krakauer never mentions: mountain climbing is actually pretty boring. At its core it's just hours and days of walking uphill"
"This was his job, his office. He could find his way up the mountain as easily as I could find my way to the candy machine at work."
May 3, 2018
I've read many trail reports, mostly about the John Muir Trail, but this is only the second I've seen about Kili (the other was "Gorge" by Kara Whitely). Like with Whitely's book and Aspen Matis' "Girl in the Woods: A Memoir," Dorr combines his personal life experiences and insights with his struggle to reach an extreme goal. His story emphasizes the physical and mental challenges faced when climbing Africa's tallest mountain.
My takeaways from the book:
—Be persistent.
—Fill your physical and mental buckets before you leave because you have no control over your altitude bucket.
My takeaways from the book:
—Be persistent.
—Fill your physical and mental buckets before you leave because you have no control over your altitude bucket.
November 11, 2010
I now know, for sure, I will not be attempting a summit of Kilimanjaro. Dorr does a great job of illustrating the truth of mountaineering: hours and hours of chucking one foot in front of the other in the dark to arrive at a summit one is too exhausted to enjoy.
It did reinforce my fascination with Africa. And the description of the culture of these corner of Africa was vivid and interesting.
Dedicated mountain climbers would probably give these 4-5 stars.
It did reinforce my fascination with Africa. And the description of the culture of these corner of Africa was vivid and interesting.
Dedicated mountain climbers would probably give these 4-5 stars.
January 5, 2019
The author had an accurate one-dimensional description of the hike, very comparable to my actual Kilimanjaro experience. However, the author lacked depth in making sense of his emotions when faced with failure and inconvenient realities ( poverty). The protagonist appeared to be shallow in dealing with his failure to summit. I would not recommend people to read this book unless you are on the hike itself.
January 29, 2021
An excellently written personal experience of summiting Mt. Kilimanjaro. Daniel has managed to write in simple English with minute details of his experiences of the adventures he had in Africa.
He has written in a way which will take you on the mountain in the comforts of your home/café.
I would recommend this book to anyone interested in mountaineering adventure reads, specially if you’re interested in climbing Kilimanjaro one day.
He has written in a way which will take you on the mountain in the comforts of your home/café.
I would recommend this book to anyone interested in mountaineering adventure reads, specially if you’re interested in climbing Kilimanjaro one day.
March 20, 2012
Weird cover for a book on Kilimanjaro--didn't see a single giraffe up there. Anyway, what a lunatic. His descriptions are good, but writing is spotty...plus I can't imagine his wife putting up with this lunatic trying for Kilimanjaro not once but TWICE! hello, dude, have some Diamox. Okay, yeah, skip it.
July 9, 2012
Preparing to climb Kilimanjaro, so picked this up for additional insights. Reads mostly like a blog, However some good tidbits on equipment, Swahili language, and what to expect. While I tend toward the expert's perspective, interesting to hear that of a novice and how tough it can be for some. Hoping my experience is more enjoyable !
March 7, 2013
This was an eye-opening experience. This fit man couldn't make his first summit and went back to try again. His descriptions of the physical discomfort and pain and cold have been most useful in visualizing what I need to purchase for my climb and to make me realize that this hike will be physically and mentally exhaustive. Thankfully, I still have time to prepare.
January 17, 2011
It was a little misleading...it wasn't really about impressing a girl. I wont give it all away, but I did a better job of climbing that mountain. The author also went on quite a few tangents that took the book a bit off track.
March 5, 2011
Basically just a recitation of the facts. He attempted to climb Kili once with his fiance and failed. He went back a couple years later and summited. He includes some discussion of the Tanzanians he met and the local travel conditions, but it's very much on the surface.
February 5, 2013
As someone who is hoping/planning to climb Kilimanjaro this summer, I found this memoir enjoyable, entertaining, and informative. I definitely dog-eared a few pages, that I will be returning to as I train this spring...some passages for inspiration, some for grounding in reality...
September 2, 2021
This book was a play-by-play of the author's struggle to summit Mount Kilimanjaro. He was overly detailed in some parts, but I thought it was an interesting read of a first time climber who really struggled. If you are reading for the story it's not too bad.
December 22, 2010
I enjoyed reliving my Kili experience, but the author was self-obsessed and not a very good writer!
February 1, 2011
If this isn't a Jeannie book, I don't know what is - adventure/travel and some humor. It fell a little flat (the plot, not the climber) at times, but an enjoyable quick read.
February 15, 2011
This book is great! I love how it describes the travels in Eastern Africa, as well as many other things. It was just a fun, good read for me.
November 1, 2011
Eh... entertaining everyman's tale of climbing Kilimanjaro. Some funny bits and some detail-overload, but overall a quick read that anyone who likes hiking or the outdoors will get a kick out of.
February 9, 2012
This book was amazing!!! It is a great inspiration. If I move closer to Africa I wonder if Jason would want to climb Kili again but, with me :)
September 27, 2011
I won this book through Goodreads First Reads. I enjoyed learning a bit about Africa but this wasn't my most favorite book.
June 21, 2013
hoping for a more successful climb than Dorr's for my first go around. an informative and sobering account of the actual climb, but i was less enthralled about the rest of the book.
June 21, 2014
Yes, I would like to climb Kilimanjaro. And yes, after reading this book, I still want to climb Kili. Sounds like traveling in Tanzania is an amazing experience as well!
July 19, 2014
Fun read. Good self analysis of accomplishing a task that take stamina and commitment. Light reading.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews