KILIMANJARO, TANZANIA — A retired Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department officer was evacuated off Mount Killimanjaro, Tanzania, on July 29 after reaching the summit.
Marc DeLuca trekked over four days to Gillman's Point at an elevation of 18,650 feet before he got acute mountain sickness at the High Altitude Pulmonary Edema. When he got back to base camp Kilimanjaro, guides evaluated his condition and made the decision to get him to lower altitude as fast as possible.
Two other climbers were evacuated due to medical reasons.
DeLuca is part of a group of nine from Charlotte Rotary International 7680 climbing for the End Polio Now charity. The campaign is in the final push to eradicate polio worldwide.
DeLuca is no stranger to long distance endurance adventures. He's bicycled 4,500 miles coast to coast, hiked the Appalachian Trail, and kayaked 1,515 miles continuously around the entire state of Florida.
"This was a phenomenal experience and by far one of the hardest physical and mental challenges I've ever done," he said.
You can find more information on the End Polio Now Campaign HERE.
DeLuca is expected to return to the U.S. on Friday.
Cox Media Group
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