On July 14, he traveled to Africa to climb Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, the world's highest free standing, snow-covered equatorial mountain. The Howard County Realtor had promised Howard County Executive Kenneth Ulman he would carry the county flag to the peak of Mount Kilimanjaro.

He kept his promise and brought back the photograph to prove it.

"First off, I was thrilled to see Howard County's flag on top of Mt. Kilimanjaro -- and I appreciate the fact that the county means so much to Pat that he carried it with him all that way. I think it's safe to say that the drive and determination Pat showed in accomplishing this goal, is part of what has made him such a successful real estate agent," Ulman said in an e-mail.

To commemorate Hiban's accomplishment, he and Ulman met Aug. 6 on the rooftop of the George Howard Building -- the highest point on a Howard County government building -- where the county executive officially proclaimed July 21, 2008, as "Pat Hiban Day."

It takes five days to reach the summit of Kilimanjaro and return. With a height of 5,895 meters (19,340.6 feet), the challenge of Kilimanjaro for a climber is the relative lack of oxygen.

To prepare for his trip, Hiban hiked 65 miles on the Appalachian Trail. A month before the trip, he climbed two peaks in Colorado for altitude training. And for three months he rigorously trained at Next Level Fitness, in Columbia, and the Columbia Association River Hill Gym. The grueling 16-hour sessions helped build up his endurance.

On July 21 at 8:21 a.m., Hiban realized his goal of reaching the summit.

"My estimation was that over half of those I met on the mountain turned around before summiting." He feels there is a parallel between his professional goals in real estate and the physical challenge of mountain climbing. "It's important to ride out the storm in real estate just like I rode out the desire to quit climbing Mount Kilimanjaro."

Hiban said he recently met one of his professional goals -- selling $1 billion worth of residential real estate. The time seemed right to concentrate on a more personal goal. He compares life to a road under construction on which everyone encounters obstacles that they may not be ready for.

"Personally I wasn't prepared to be sick like I was after getting there and I was not prepared for the altitude." He did not find the food to his liking and feels he should have practiced more yoga and more breathing exercises.

"My advice is to prepare for the worst case scenario ahead of time and try to think of any and all obstacles that could ruin your attempt at whatever your goal is."

Hiban and two business partners had gotten together over the years to discuss investments while pursuing outdoor challenges. They were planning to climb Mount Kilimanjaro in 2009 when they heard of a group going in July that needed three more participants. They quickly signed on. Unfortunately one partner failed the physical and underwent heart surgery instead of a climbing trip. So Hiban only knew one person in the group. But all the climbers in the group were real estate agents from around the country so they had a lot in common.

Hiban has been a real estate agent in Howard County for almost 21 years. He has frequently visited other cities while speaking for real estate companies and has never found a place where he would rather raise his kids than Howard County.

"I was proud to raise the Howard County flag on the roof of Africa. I am Howard Countian true and true, having gone from kindergarten through 12th grade in the public school system and even doing an internship my senior year of college with the Howard County government. I felt as if it was my responsibility to represent the county if I made it to the summit and I am very happy I made Ken and the county proud by doing so."

user comments (1)

user wip1 says...

I, too, am a real estate agent who lives in Howard County who also climbed Kili in 2005 with my son who had just graduated from high school. we raised over $5,000 to support "Grant-A-Wish". I, too, can confirm that it was the trip of a lifetime. Congrats to Pat for his preserverence - I know what it take to make it to Uhuru! Karibou!
Mike Gary
Mohler & Gary Realtors

Posted 10:24 PM, 08.26.08

• Permalink