Eric Sanford

Originally from New Hampshire, Eric has lived in Colorado, Alaska and the North Cascades of Washington State, where he ran an outdoor guide service (backpacking, climbing, kayaking, rafting, bicycling, skiing) for ten years before moving to the Columbia River Gorge.

Eric has always been an avid outdoorsman, ardent environmentalist, accomplished photographer and writer (published in over 500 magazines), businessman and inventor. In 2003, after sailing his boat from California to southern Mexico, he combined his interests of outdoor adventure and innovative new products into Simply Brilliant LLC.

Partnering with several talented friends, he launched the Shockles brand of shock-absorbing marine and outdoor products, as well as the SolLight brand of solar-powered LED lighting products. Eric tries to stay away from the day-to-day management of the company as much as possible, leaving this to people who actually have an idea of how to run a business.

Eric is a passionate skier, climber, sailor, kayaker, windsurfer and biker. He still travels the world for fun, adventure and gathering new ideas for Simply Brilliant, as well as cultivating his ultimate goal of donating useful products to impoverished people in developing countries.

In 2007, Eric's adventures took him to Africa where he successfully summited Mt. Kilimanjaro. Here he shares his story and a few photos of this trip.

Africa

A journey to Africa—anywhere in Africa—is to step into a world far removed from mainstream western civilization and culture. The sights, sounds, smells and vistas are unlike anything else on earth; at once dramatic and penetrating, alien and extraordinary.

A climb of Mt. Kilimanjaro (19,340’) is a mandatory excursion up from the tangled bush and lush grasslands spreading from it’s base. Rumor has it that the famous ‘snow of Kilimanjaro’ are receding rapidly. In truth, there is still much snow to be found. Enormous seracs guard the summit ridge like sharpened ice fangs jaggedly piercing the sky.

Hundreds of porters make their way up myriad paths of rock, mud and ice to the summit as the bobbing headlights of climbers twist along behind them. The lucky few arrive just as the first magic rays of yellow sunshine touch the inky horizon and explode into daylight.

The path back down is long but the memories are longer.