CanvasRebel Interview of Dana Wentzel

Dana Wentzel CanvasRebel Interview picture

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Dana Wentzel. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Dana, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today So, naming is such a challenge. How did you come up with the name of your brand?

I named our company Kilimanjaro Sunrise because, on summit night, as you climb those endless switchbacks in the dark, the rising sun lifts your spirits and motivates you to reach the summit of Kilimanjaro.

Kilimanjaro Sunrise Vehicle

Dana, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

First off, I am an avid outdoorsman and Marine Corps veteran, who lives and breathes the outdoors. Over the years, I have engaged in numerous outdoor activities: hiking, backpacking, rock climbing, snowboarding, mountain biking, ice climbing, kayaking, and caving. However, none have captivated me as much as my favorite hobby: canyoneering.

WHY CANYONEERING?

Dana Wentzel Managing partner of Kilimanjaro Sunrise Perhaps what sets canyoneering apart is the camaraderie, knowing that, like in the Marine Corps, your canyon team has your back. Maybe it’s the problem-solving aspect, or perhaps it’s just the thrill of it all—the sound of the carabiner’s metallic chime, the rush of venturing where few have gone, and the remoteness of it. Whatever the reason, canyoneering has kept my interest for close to two decades.

At this point in my life, I find it more rewarding to guide new people through their first canyon and revel in their enthusiasm. I love teaching them how to use the equipment and watching them overcome their limitations. It’s incredibly rewarding to see them experience the same joy and excitement that has kept me returning to the canyons year after year.

KILIMANJARO SUNRISE

Over the years, I have started a few outdoor companies, yet none are as close to my heart as Kilimanjaro Sunrise. Like canyoneering, I want to share my knowledge and experiences with others. I want them to feel the exhilaration and sense of accomplishment when they reach the summit of Kilimanjaro, and experience the thrill of a safari as they watch a lioness teach her cubs to hunt and celebrate life with the wonderful people of Tanzania.

Climbing Kilimanjaro was never on my bucket list, but once I climbed it, I was hooked. For me, it’s like the Grand Canyon. I have explored every corner of the Grand Canyon, from well-worn popular trails to remote tributary canyons on rope. I’ve camped below the rim and packrafted down the Colorado River to incredibly treacherous exits. Every time I go, I train for months beforehand, but it always manages to kick my butt, and I swear it’s the last time. Despite this, I continue to return because there is a mystical draw to the place.

The same can be said of Kilimanjaro. I’ve climbed it a couple of times, and each time I couldn’t wait to go back. Just like in a canyon, the pain is temporary. Maybe I have dissociative amnesia, but I can’t wait to return.

What truly makes everything I do valuable are the people, and the people of Tanzania are no exception. They live in one of the poorest countries on earth, yet they are happy. They are always willing to help, and they do it with a smile.

While we may be a newer company, our staff, guides, porters, and I are seasoned experts in all things Kilimanjaro.

Additionally, Kilimanjaro Sunrise’s Operations Manager in Arusha is a second-generation trekking company manager. His office and local staff run an impressive operation in Tanzania. He has personally selected and trained the guides and porters who will accompany you on your adventure. With the experience passed down through generations, he, his wife, and his father have fine-tuned the Kilimanjaro climb and Tanzania safaris to ensure they go as smoothly as possible. If anything didn’t go perfectly with a previous client, he has made the necessary adjustments to prevent it from happening again.

You will notice the difference when you climb with us. Even if you don’t choose us, we are confident that when you are on the mountain, you will see how professional, meticulous, and prepared our mountain teams are.

OUR SERVICE

How can we boast of such amazing service? We’ve observed various levels of service, equipment quality, and food offerings, and we’ve used that knowledge to create a climbing adventure that surpasses other mid-range companies. We’ve listened to feedback from past clients and continuously improved our service.

Our guides are Wilderness First Responder certified, with over 10 years of experience and more than 300 Kilimanjaro climbs. On summit night, in addition to the guides and assistant guides, our senior porters also accompany our clients. Even our chefs receive annual training to ensure meals are nutritious and exceed expectations.

We provide all our clients with AMREF Flying Doctors evacuation insurance, enabling rapid helicopter transport to the hospital in case of a serious emergency.

Clients can also rent ALTOX Personal Oxygen Systems to reduce symptoms of altitude sickness if they choose.

OUR EQUIPMENT

Our equipment, such as our tents, is specifically made for us. For example, our tents have reinforced zippers to withstand the harsh Kilimanjaro environment. Additionally, the tents are designed to wick moisture from the sleeping area into the vestibule, keeping you warm and dry throughout the trip.

OUR MEALS

The meals we serve are fresh and hot, made from locally grown, non-GMO ingredients. Unlike many companies that serve unsatisfying box lunches, our meals are varied, healthy, and hearty. Our mountain chefs undergo annual training to stay updated with food trends and continually learn new ways to better serve our clients.

OUR ETHICS

We are partners with the Kilimanjaro Porters Assistance Project (KPAP), a non-profit organization that monitors Kilimanjaro operators to protect the welfare of porters. Porter abuse is an ongoing problem on the mountain, with many operators underpaying, underfeeding, and overloading their porters while falsely claiming good treatment. The only way to ensure your operator isn’t part of the problem is to climb with a KPAP Partner Company.

We are also members of Leave No Trace. If you see a rock cairn on the mountain, we encourage you to topple it since it disrupts the natural environment. Leaving it encourages others to “deface” nature, disturbs the soil, and increases erosion risk. Building rock cairns also disrupts fragile vegetation and micro-ecosystems.

OUR PRICES

One of our main goals is to offer the highest quality services, staff, and equipment at a reasonable price.

lunch on safari

What’s been the best source of new clients for you?

Building our client base through past clients can be challenging for several reasons. Firstly, our business is not typically one that attracts repeat customers. Secondly, those who climb or go on safari with us often have no basis for comparison. Having climbed and worked with several trekking companies, I know our service is superior. But with so many companies claiming to be “#1” or the “best,” how do we convey our exceptional service without sounding boastful?

So to answer your question, our best source of new clients is word of mouth. Those who have climbed with us or gone on safari with us can see the difference we provide compared to other trekking and safari companies. We encourage all our clients to write reviews and we follow up with them both at the end of the climb and once they return home. We send them an evaluation email and links to our social media. Even if they haven’t had the best time, we want to know what we can do to improve our service.

kilimanjaro sunrise tents and sleeping bags and pads

Have you ever had to pivot?

I started a guiding service with a friend, offering hiking and canyoneering tours. We didn’t just take clients into the wilderness; we also taught them how to rappel, build anchors, tie knots, and safely descend canyons if they wanted to learn.

Then the Great Recession hit, and we struggled to maintain a steady income. We decided to pivot and start selling outdoor equipment online. For the first few years, we were quite profitable. However, when Amazon began selling the same outdoor equipment for less than the Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price, our business took a hit. After many years of struggling to make a profit, we finally shut down and went our separate ways.

Contact Info:

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