Sixty-four years later, writer Matthew Power and photographer Bobby Model retrace one of climbing's most extraordinary escapades. Photograph by Bobby Model
This is on top of Nelion which is at about 17,000 feet [5,182 meters]. This is the Howell Hut. It's named after a pioneer of African mountaineering named Ian Howell.
In the 1970s he carried up these segments of aluminum in 13 solo ascents—with no gear. He just climbed up with these segments on his back and then assembled it at the top. It's bolted down into the rock with wires. There's room for about four people to sleep comfortably inside. I slept like a dead man in that place for about 12 hours. I've never been that tired in my life. The stickers are from different climbers from all around the world. —Contributing Editor Matthew Power