The roster for the ambitious climb is as unique as the mountain itself and includes African-born naturalist Robin Buxton, an expert on the ecology of Kilimanjaro who has been permanently disabled from polio since age two and whose first effort to summit Kilimanjaro borders on the heroic. Also on the expedition are German geologist Volker Lorenz, a world authority on volcanoes; British geologist and team leader Kevin Docherty; and Tanzanian park ranger and naturalist Michael Ngatolowa.

Like most Africans who live in the shadow of Africa's highest peak, Ngatolowa has never had access to the expensive equipment needed to make the arduous trek to Kilimanjaro's 19,340-foot summit. His personal goal: to see snow, a substance that he has only glimpsed from afar and that clings like perpetual clouds to the mountain's lofty top.

You've simply got to see and hear this for your self

Read the story and link to the video on PBS' Nova website