What happens when two fearless mountaineers, armed with a spirit of adventure and carbon legs, decide to conquer the African peaks? An epic and thrilling story is born, that of Massimo Coda and Andrea Lanfri, better known as "Two Men and a Leg".
The Adventure Begins: From Kilimanjaro to Mount Kenya
With technical support from Great Escapes, Massimo Coda, a Paralympic mountaineer from Biella, and Andrea Lanfri, a mountaineer from Lucca, embarked on an extraordinary mission: to climb Kilimanjaro and Mount Kenya. This project was supported by Panathlon and CAI Biella, CAI National, Ilario Mezzano – SAI, and enthusiastically backed by the Equipe Olympique store run by Piero and Giulia Ramella. Not just an adventure, but also solidarity. The expedition raised funds to refurbish old wheelchairs and donate them to local African communities. This initiative, in collaboration with World Friends and Custom Regeneration, brought smiles and better lives to those in need.
The Dream of the Matterhorn
On July 9th, just before their departure, Massimo fulfilled a dream: reaching the summit of the Matterhorn. “In 2010, after the accident that led to my leg amputation, I was preparing for the Matterhorn. Completing that climb was one of the driving forces that has pushed me over the years,” recounts Max, moved. At his side was not Andrea, who had just returned from conquering Mount Everest with his friend Marco Olmo.
The Start of the African Adventure
The idea of climbing Mount Kenya was inspired by the book "No Picnic on Mount Kenya" by Felice Benuzzi. “The book inspired me to attempt the climb of Kenya. I talked about it with Andrea, who immediately suggested also climbing Kilimanjaro,” explains Max. Thus, on August 15th, they set off for Africa, with a return scheduled for September 4th. Seven days after their arrival on the African continent, on August 22nd, they greeted the sunrise embraced at 5895 meters on Kilimanjaro. “We wanted to see the dawn from the summit, it was incredible!” exclaims Andrea. From the rainforest to the alpine deserts, up to the lava screes at the summit, the ascent was varied and breathtaking. “The problem at these altitudes is the lack of oxygen,” adds Max. “The prosthetics can have issues with wind and cold, but even excessive heat is problematic.”
Towards Mount Kenya
But it didn't end there. The expedition continued towards Mount Kenya, a technically more challenging peak. On August 27th, the two mountaineers reached the 4985-meter height of Point Lenana. “A completely different environment from Kilimanjaro. The first day was boring, walking only on asphalt. But the encounters were incredible: zebras, baboons, and elephant tracks,” recounts Andrea. The weather played a few tricks on them, with hailstorms and snow welcoming them to the base camp at 4200 meters. Despite the adversities, on August 27th, they reached Point Lenana, albeit greeted by thick fog. Their curiosity to see the African panorama pushed them to attempt another climb the next day, but rain and hail stopped them.
A Triumphant Return Home
Despite the difficulties, Max Coda and Andrea Lanfri returned home satisfied, having achieved both their goals. A story of adventure, courage, and friendship.
The mountaineering adventure we have recounted is just one of many examples of how exploration and nature can transform and enrich our lives. For years, Great Escapes has supported and stood by all those who love to push their limits, discover new places, and find in nature the dreams and strength to achieve them. Whether you are an expert mountaineer or an enthusiastic beginner, our outdoor clothing is designed to offer you comfort, durability, and quality in every adventure. Explore our catalog and get ready to live your next great escape with Great Escapes
