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Silicon Valley partners Michael Spencer and Bryan Schader weren’t surprised to learn their close friend Erich’s 2022 birthday celebration would bring them to Tanzania.

“Erich told us he wanted to do it,” Michael said. “That’s when we went from doing a few fun hikes and bike rides around California to planning a trip to challenge ourselves in an entirely different country.”

Michael, Bryan, and Erich spent plenty of time together since meeting as church volunteers, but Erich’s 50th birthday would bring their get-togethers and outdoor recreation to new levels.

The three, with Erich’s brother Bryan Hoelzer and several other friends, tackled their most strenuous adventure—summiting Mount Kilimanjaro.

Adapting for What’s Ahead

Celebrating Erich’s birthday in February at the top of Mount Kilimanjaro meant more than 10 days away during one of the year's busiest seasons. Fortunately, their career advisors were supportive.

“It shows what kind of leadership we have,” says Michael. “They acknowledged it wasn’t the best timing, but they encouraged us to do it because we’d never have this opportunity with the same people again.”

While Michael and Bryan worked hard with their teams to settle as much work as possible before the trip, they also prepared their bodies with six months of hikes, cardio, and other physical training.

However, what they couldn’t prepare alarmed them the most. “We worried about elevation sickness,” Bryan said. “Another partner at the firm, an experienced climber in fantastic shape, attempted a mountain climb and had to turn around because his body couldn’t take the elevation. You never know what will happen when you’re that high up.”

Despite their fears—and a late COVID-19 diagnosis that nearly derailed Michael’s chance to participate—both partners joined Erich and the rest of the group on a flight toward their adventure on the other side of the world.

Trekking Beyond Fear

Local guides led the crew through their seven-day, six-night journey up Mount Kilimanjaro. On the first day of the climb, a member of the group suffered altitude sickness and food poisoning. He was guided to the mountain's base, which brought home the impact of elevation on the body.

“I felt like I was in great shape,” Bryan said. “We started climbing at 12,000 feet, the highest I’ve ever been outside of a plane, and I took maybe four quick steps to climb a rock for a photo. Suddenly, I was out of breath.”

In addition to guides, paid porters assisted the group in administering medical needs, carrying equipment, and assembling base camp. Throughout the morning hikes, each group member’s oxygen levels and fluid intake was monitored, but the cold atmosphere only heightened the challenge and made hydrating unpleasant.

Three days into their daily uphill climb, Michael also suffered the effects of the altitude. “I had a headache and some dizziness, and I think we all had a cough at night. There were a few nights when my oxygen was low. It was super cold, and then one day, it was raining. We had to keep hiking through it, and I remember having doubts. I couldn’t help but wonder if I would make it.”

Michael pauses. “Then, on our last night, Bryan got sick.”

Bid for the Summit

The final drive up the mountain, the longest and steepest leg, began before midnight for arrival at the peak by sunrise. Bryan was already being monitored for low oxygen levels, but less than two hours into the uphill slog, fatigue urged him to rest. After testing his oxygen, the porters broke into panic.

Surrounded in darkness, with no light but their headlamps, Michael and the others could hardly understand the frenzy of porters switching between English and their native language as they removed Bryan’s backpack, hooked him to oxygen, and drilled him with questions about his symptoms.

He could barely answer.

“I was loopy because I hadn’t slept well,” Bryan said. “That’s when I started to get scared.”

After five minutes of oxygen, he was more alert, and his oxygen levels were rising. When the porters offered him the opportunity to turn back or keep going, he chose to stay with the group. His pace was slower than theirs, and he paused more often for treatment, but he pushed himself up the dark mountain until the sun began to break.

At last, he joined the others at the summit—and swelled with pride in the accomplishment as he enjoyed the sunrise. “I made it through one of the hardest things I’ve ever done.”

The group took photos with their guides and porters, congratulating each other for victory over 19,341 feet of elevation. Michael took time alone to reflect on the moment.

He shares, “You’re looking out the African plains with no other mountains around to obscure your view, and you start to realize how magnificent it is. Our world is big, and standing on top forces you to look beyond yourself. I felt connected to something greater than me, and it inspired me to do more for humankind.”

A View That Lasts

After nearly 30 minutes of celebration, Michael and the crew descended. Less than a day later, they returned to warmer temperatures, cold drinks, and a ceremony hosted by the tourism company celebrating their tenacity during the climb. Before returning to the United States with certificates and medals, the group relaxed in lodges near Tanzanian national parks and went on a safari.

Though it’s been more than two years since their trek up Mount Kilimanjaro, the experience has had a lasting impact.

“We’re bonded for life,” says Michael. “My friendship with Erich, Bryan S., and Bryan H. is stronger than ever, and we’ve agreed to do a trip together every year.”

Bryan coordinated their 2023 adventure to another summit—Mauna Kea in Hawai’i. Their 2024 trip, organized by Bryan Hoelzer, will take them to the jungles of Costa Rica for hiking, zip-lining, and beach time.

“We have a great time together,” Bryan said. “We all share a passion for travel that challenges us, and while we’re doing it, we connect on what’s happening in our lives and support each other through difficulties. We can accomplish the hard things, each of us, and we’ll eventually see that the journey is as enjoyable as the destination.”

Michael adds, “We have a short time here, so it’s important to do things that matter to you. That’s how we elevate our personal and professional experiences. I believe progress beyond our challenges can evolve our lives and bring happiness. Even if we never reach the summit, the lessons we learn along the way change us for the better—and when we say ‘Upward’ at Moss Adams, that’s exactly what we mean.”

Go Beyond the Desk

At Moss Adams, we believe in the power of possible to empower our clients and people to pursue success however they define it. Explore stories about our professionals, including their personal achievements, at our Beyond the Desk page.