From Säntis to Kilimanjaro - we made it!

The Joya founders Karl and Claudio spent 6 nights and 7 days on their journey  and they made it! They climbed the highest point of Kilimanjaro, the Uhuru summit at 5’895 meters!

 

It was shortly after midnight when the two set off on the last Kilimanjaro leg. The mercury showed -15 degrees, the hurricane-like wind provided for a felt temperature of up to -25 degrees. About 1’200 meters of altitude and six km had to be mastered - it was a great challenge.

 

Karl Müller looks back on the ascent: "At 5’000 meters you only move in time lapse mode, the lack of oxygen made me feel like I was drunk and concentration was only enough for step after step."

 

When they finally reached the summit, they were rewarded with a magnificent sunrise - it was breathtaking and both were moved to tears!

After a short stay, the descent from the mountain was already underway, since at this altitude one can get severe headaches and altitude fever. So, 1 day later they were back at the foot of Kilimanjaro.

In the end, the two gave away their Joya shoes to the local porters and mountain guides. The shoes on the new Active technology, which was to be tested by the ascent, offered the best comfort throughout and, due to their soft-elastic properties, a painless descent.

 


Karl and Claudio with their guides.

 

Without shoes, but full of awe, pride and gratitude, the trip ended in the bus and Karl Müller and Claudio Minder headed home.

 

What an adventure!

 


From Säntis to Kilimanjaro

Setting a sign against poverty with sporting commitment - in the luggage health shoes and sponsorship money for a mother-child project on site. Together with a group of around 20 participants, the two shoe manufacturers from eastern Switzerland, Karl Müller and Claudio Minder, set out on their journey. The adventure from Säntis to Kilimanjaro leads Karl and Claudio to the origin of their health shoes. As early as 25 years ago, nomads from the Serengeti Savannah in northern Tanzania inspired Karl Müller III, an inventor from eastern Switzerland, to develop a shoe with a particularly rounded sole, which he christened MBT - short for Masai Barefoot Technology. His son, Karl Müller IV, explains: "The Masai, who live at the foot of the 5,895-meter-high Kilimanjaro, are nomadic people who can easily walk long distances barefoot in a very natural gait. This has been a major influence on us in the development of our health shoes." The East Swiss health shoes turn 25 years old this year, because of which the founders Joyas also want to be socially involved and set a sign against poverty. That's why they are climbing Africa's highest mountain, testing a new sole technology and collecting sponsorship money for the poorest in the region where it all began. As of today, more than CHF 280,000 has already been collected on the donation barometer. The preparations for the ascent of Kilimanjaro have been going on for the two founding friends for half a year now and they do not underestimate the physical challenge.

Read more →

From Säntis to Kilimanjaro

Setting a sign against poverty with sporting commitment - in the luggage health shoes and sponsorship money for a mother-child project on site. Together with a group of around 20 participants, the two shoe manufacturers from eastern Switzerland, Karl Müller and Claudio Minder, set out on their journey. The adventure from Säntis to Kilimanjaro leads Karl and Claudio to the origin of their health shoes. As early as 25 years ago, nomads from the Serengeti Savannah in northern Tanzania inspired Karl Müller III, an inventor from eastern Switzerland, to develop a shoe with a particularly rounded sole, which he christened MBT - short for Masai Barefoot Technology. His son, Karl Müller IV, explains: "The Masai, who live at the foot of the 5,895-meter-high Kilimanjaro, are nomadic people who can easily walk long distances barefoot in a very natural gait. This has been a major influence on us in the development of our health shoes." The East Swiss health shoes turn 25 years old this year, because of which the founders Joyas also want to be socially involved and set a sign against poverty. That's why they are climbing Africa's highest mountain, testing a new sole technology and collecting sponsorship money for the poorest in the region where it all began. As of today, more than CHF 280,000 has already been collected on the donation barometer. The preparations for the ascent of Kilimanjaro have been going on for the two founding friends for half a year now and they do not underestimate the physical challenge.

Read more →