Sixt-Hubertus von Kapff
September 24, 2018
Team Ubuntu
July 1, 2019Sonja Nehls
Job Title:
Head of Car To Market & Consulting
Why do you want to climb Mt Kilimanjaro?
First of all, we do this to raise money for children in need. On a more personal note, I want to prove to myself and others, that it is possible to achieve anything, if you really want it. You can overcome more hurdles and obstacles than you think you can: physically, mentally and also time-wise, maybe the most difficult of all of them. If you find the time to binge-watch a full season of the latest series on Netflix, you will find the time to go to the gym.
What has been the most challenging thing about this initiative so far?
Getting fit and integrating regular exercise into my life was something new to me. Of course I did the odd aerobics course or Nordic walking trip, but working out 5 times a week is something I never thought happening to me. And I even enjoy it now and miss it on days where I cannot integrate it.
What is the most interesting thing you have learned about yourself so far?
There are so many things… I learned that when I have a goal I really want to reach, I can move mountains. I started to understand why people can become addicted to exercise. I learned how much time I actually do have available and spent for things that do not matter so much to me at the moment.
How are you raising your UNICEF funds?
Following the example of Jan, I did a raffle for flight lessons and tickets to the Oldtimer Grand Prix, which was very successful. In the Maintal office, we also had a BBQ and I once offered iced coffee to the colleagues. Also, I have a T-Shirt with my little bumblebee logo at the front and a brief info on the back, which I wear in the gym or when I visit Geocaching events. This triggers questions and discussions and ideally donations.
If there was going to be a Kilimanjaro playlist for your climb, what song would you choose?
Wake me up before you go-go by Wham! I actually do have a playlist with lots of songs, but this one always makes me think of the summit night… *sings* I don’t wanna miss it when you hit that high.
What luxury are you planning on taking up the mountain with you?
I haven’t made my mind up about that yet. Some things I will need to decide on are a solar charger for my phone and potentially other electronics. Then I will bring some kind of pillow and wet wipes for “taking a shower”. Is that considered luxury already?
Is there anything you are ‘dreading’?
Not washing my hair for eight days will be hard. It’s not about the looks, but I fear the itching on the scalp. Besides that, I do have a lot of respect of steep inclines. There is something like Sonja’s incline toleration index, which has improved from -73 to +32 already! I just wonder whether it needs to be at +487 for Kili? And what about Ben Nevis – 1,300m altitude in only 8 km is quite a lot…
What are you looking forward to most?
I’m looking forward to meeting and getting to know the rest of the Ascenders soon. And then I’m really looking forward to taking the first steps on Kilimanjaro, also to the first night in the tent and then every single step will mean so much. I recently said that Kilimanjaro is not the goal, but the reward!
My blog posts…
My tweets…
';
Got the waterproofs out and walked to my parents' place for lunch. And of course to reach the step target, @GIN_Autovista. All in support of our #teamubuntu and their #LakeDistrictChallenge! #walkingwithubuntu #kilimanjaro #learningonthewayup
Best of luck to #TeamUbuntu for their #LakeDistrict challenge, preparing for the big one: #kilimanjaro. Have fun and just keep going #polepole. #learningonthewayup @autovista_group
Tiny hike in amazing landscapes in Malta! Thinking of the big excitement one year ago pre-#Kilimanjaro, my teammates #AutovistaAscenders, and #teamubuntu who are in the midst of their preparations! I'm a bit envious and very, very excited for you. #learningonthewayup
#learningonthewayup Dear Team Twende, love seeing your excitement growing with each day. I wish you all the best for your adventure! Enjoy yourselves, look after each other and take it one step at a time. You will smash it! And say Hi to Commander Whitey, he is a legend #polepole
Our local newspaper has an article about our Kili climb today. Thanks a lot for the support in spreading the word. #learningonthewayup @autovista_group
Thank you 2018, thank you #autovistaascenders, thank you @autovista_group, thank you #kilimanjaro. And now, bring it on 2019! Happy New Year! #learningonthewayup
Hey #autovistaascenders, remember that morning? Feels like yesterday or ten years ago, I can't make up my mind. #learningonthewayup #kilimanjaro #defyinggravity @autovista_group #autovistaclimbskili #autovistasupportsunicef
Just woke up from the first proper sleep in a week. Have to keep telling myself, that I did actually climb Kilimanjaro. It hasn't sunken in yet. #autovistaascenders, I so love you guys. We all made it to the top, still in awe. #learningonthewayup #kilimanjaro #defyinggravity
These boots are made for walking. Am I? We will find out. Like a bumblebee: #defyinggravity! Dear #kilimanjaro, the #autovistaascenders are coming. Please be gentle... #learningonthewayup @autovista_group #autovistaclimbskili
This is it! The last training session is completed. Should have done before and after pics. What a journey it has already been. Next stop: Kilimanjaro 🏔️🐝! Hakuna matata. #learningonthewayup #superexcited #defyinggravity @autovista_group #autovistaclimbskili #autovistaascenders
This good luck charm present really plucks my heartstrings and probably will again every Christmas from now on. Thank you @EngelskirchenC #learningonthewayup #autovistaclimbskili #autovistaascenders #defyinggravity @autovista_group
What happens when a soon-to-be-Autovista-Kilimanjaro-Challenger is at the airport in Barcelona after having met customers? Shopping! Obviously... #oneweektogo #learningonthewayup #autovistaclimbskili #autovistaascenders #defyinggravity @autovista_group
Found brilliant walking buddies in Berlin tonight, the Autovista Authentic Leadership Programme team! Only one better hiking squad I can imagine... #autovistaascenders Two more weeks until we meet to tackle the big one #cantwait #autovistaclimbskili #learningonthewayup
Three weeks to go and it seems that most Ascenders were out and about today. I enjoyed a freezimg, but sunny, 17km hike up- and downhill through the woods close to Gelnhausen. #learningonthewayup #defyinggravity @autovista_group #autovistaclimbskili #autovistaascenders
I failed so badly! Wanted to spend the night outside testing my Kili kit. It was freezing, but I was really warm and comfy in my sleeping bag. But after 2 hours of not falling asleep, I gave up... At least it wasn't for the temperature! #learningonthewayup #autovistaclimbskili
Kili-Training made me walk over 60km from Aschaffenburg to Frankfurt along the river. Over the course of 4 days, though. Today's leg basically was from our current offices in Maintal to the future one in Frankfurt. @ClareRenton recognize the view? #Learningonthewayup
Asante Sana - THANK YOU!!! #thrilled #grateful #kilimanjaro @autovista_group @UNICEF_uk #learningonthewayup #autovistaclimbskili #autovistaascenders #defyinggravity
Back at the river for #kilimanjaro training. With @GaryBarlow's book on the headphones, I don't even mind the rain! He made it up the mountain, and I want to follow his example. #learningonthewayup #defyinggravity @autovista_group #autovistaclimbskili #ABetterMe
Over 100 years ago the first German driving school opened in Aschaffenburg, which was the destination of today's #kilimanjaro training. Will there still be driving schools in 100 years from now? #futuremobility #AutonomousVehicles #learningonthewayup @autovista_group
Climbing #kilimanjaro involves a long to-do-list. Today, with my yellow fever vaccination I ticked the big box of medical preparations. It's getting so real... #whatsnext #learningonthewayup #autovistaclimbskili #autovistaascenders #defyinggravity @autovista_group
