Reaching the Pinnacle

It’s literally all downhill after this.

A team of Cox Automotive women have enjoyed the view from the top and are back home resting with friends and family after a remarkable climb up Mount Kilimanjaro — the tallest peak in Africa.

The Kilimanjaro trek takes eight days, while sleeping in tents in temperatures as low as -20 and walking for up to 15 hours a day. Making the journey all the more impressive is the fact that the 10 participants trekked through heavy snow and below freezing temperatures during what has been described as the worst weather conditions on the mountains in over a decade. They started up the slope in Tanzania on Feb. 24 and reached the peak on Mar. 2.

The climbers are part of Women With Drive U.K., a group aimed at empowering women in the automotive industry. The group started at Cox Automotive in 2016 and has since expanded to include all women in the field. The women took on the challenge to celebrate female achievement and encourage other women to reach their full potential.

The ascent team also provided a substantial fundraising boost for Wooden Spoon, a U.K. charity that supports disabled and disadvantaged children. The team raised £23,760 (more than $33,000) for the charity.

To find out more about each of the women climbers, click here to read their bios on the Women With Drive website.