BELLVILLE — A seven-day experience on Africa’s tallest mountain brought Courtney Snell newfound confidence.
In February, Snell, a 2015 Clear Fork High School graduate, travelled to Tanzania along with her boyfriend, Mason Kuhr, to begin a journey up the African continent’s highest peak.
A snow-capped volcano, Mount Kilimanjaro is the largest free-standing mountain rise in the world, according to National Geographic.
Guides from Popote Africa Adventures led Snell, Kuhr and other climbers up the Rongai Route — a remote, seven-day, 49-mile trek approaching Kilimanjaro from the north.
While several thousand miles away from the U.S., Snell said her hometown remained a major source of inspiration.
“It’s super cool to have grown up there (Bellville) and had the small town, country upbringing and now being out exploring the world in the most wild ways,” she said.
“My life is a dream come true — but I’ll never forget my roots. I’m forever grateful.”
Trip to Tanzania was ‘spur of the moment’
Snell was quick to confess hiking isn’t typically a part of her fitness routine — but a once-in-a-lifetime trip was something she couldn’t ignore.
In December 2023, Kuhr, Snell’s boyfriend, was invited by a friend to join them in Tanzania and attempt to climb Kilimanjaro.
“I love the outdoors and nature,” she said. “It was just something that was thrown into me and my boyfriend’s scope.”
Snell admitted she was hesitant to join the journey when Kuhr first approached her about it — but a night’s sleep sparked a change of heart.
“I was absolutely terrified because I hadn’t even trained or anything. But I was like ‘You know what, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, so I might as well just face this fear and go ahead and do it, and I’ll see what I’m made of.'”
Snell overcame adversity as trek began
Before stepping foot on the Rongai Route, Snell faced adversity.
Dealing with stomach issues — which flared up the night before and morning of the climb’s first day — she also battled the physical and mental challenges Kilimanjaro presents.
“Going into the trip, I was already down and out,” she said. “My digestion was bad and I was super nauseous. Just was not doing well at all.”
“You have all the altitude symptoms of feeling nauseous. It’s harder to breathe, you have headaches constantly and you get very dehydrated.
“You don’t absorb as many nutrients because your body is working in different ways and trying to survive.”
‘Am I strong enough? Can I do this?’
Snell and her fellow climbers began their trek on Feb. 2. The group departed from the Village of Nalemoru and hiked five hours to Simba Camp — gaining nearly 3,000 feet in elevation.
Throughout the next six days, Snell battled significant physical and mental challenges — most notably on Feb. 7.
While her group climbed to the summit of Kilimanjaro, Snell was forced to remain at base camp due to lingering health issues.
Struggling with a mix of emotions, she questioned whether her efforts had been “a waste” while recording a vlog segment.
“You face some pretty dark shadows as you’re climbing it (Kilimanjaro),” Snell said as she reflected on the mental hurdles. “With that, I think you gain a lot of freedom because you go through that pain.”
‘I gained so much clarity on that mountain…’
Several lessons and memories — gained throughout the seven-day journey — accompanied Snell on her trip back to the U.S.
Along with breathtaking views, Snell said she absorbed a strong sense of community while bonding with local guides and other members of the group.
On the fourth day of their trek, the group celebrated its progress with a DJ set.
“It takes a team to do something like this — but you also have to play your role,” she said. “You gain a community when you collectively go through pain like that.”
Snell also explained some of the most memorable moments were experienced in silence.
“The ultimate high was being in silence on the mountain and being with God,” she said. “I feel like I gained so much clarity on that mountain from just being in silence and praying.”
Confidence continues after Mount Kilimanjaro journey
Snell, who currently resides in Tampa, Florida, is a full-time social media content creator — focusing largely on women’s health and fitness.
She has more than 444,000 followers on TikTok and over 70,000 on Instagram.
The confidence gained throughout her time in Tanzania is something Snell said she applies during her everyday life.
“I’d never climbed a mountain before,” she said. “I had no idea what I was doing.
“But now I can look at other challenges in my life and be like ‘I think I’m capable of that because I’ve done this other really hard thing.'”
Although it was an unforgettable experience — Snell isn’t sure it’s something she’d suggest to everyone.
“It was the most challenging experience of my life. I wouldn’t say I recommend it — but at the same time, like I do recommend it,” she said with a smile.
(Below is a YouTube vlog Snell recorded over the course of her seven-day hiking trip. Video courtesy of Courtney Snell.)
(Below are photos from Snell’s seven-day experience climbing Mount Kilimanjaro. All images courtesy of Courtney Snell.)
