In February 2014 a group of amputee military veterans set forth on a monumental goal for physical and spiritual recovery. They would train and climb the world's tallest free-standing mountain, Mt. Kilimanjaro (19341ft) in Tanzania, Africa. Consisting of six amputees and five wing man climbers, the Kilimanjaro Warriors hiked the mountain for eight days overcoming insurmountable obstacles and new challenges with each passing mile; trusting that if you have heart and believe in yourself, anything is possible. Lt. Col. Ret. Steven Connolly served in the United States Air Force as a Forward Air Controller in the first Gulf War He was embedded with the Army on the ground during the beginning of that conflict. During one battle his unit captured several Iraqi Guard. One prisoner had lost his leg in the battle. The medics tied a tourniquet around the injured soldier's leg and he was air-lifted out of the area. Steve had always been curious as to what had happened to that prisoner; if he had survived and what kind of life he would have after such an injury. As America's wounded began to return home, more and more soldiers were missing limbs, reigniting a memory of war 20 years prior. The idea was set that on his mission to climb to the top of the world's peaks as a personal challenge, he would find amputee veterans that also wished to accomplish such a goal. Mt. Kilimanjaro would serve that purpose.
Directed, Shot, & Edited by Bevan B. Bell
Music Courtesy: Plankton by Years of Rice and Salt (facebook.com/yearsofriceandsalt)
Shot on 5D Mark iii, GoPro Hero, GoPro Hero3, iPhone4s
Colored with Filmconvert
