“God lives on the mountain. You have to die to meet god.”

— yusuf ngaina, owner of plains to peak guide company

Night sky with the Milky Way galaxy visible, silhouetted trees, tents, and a distant mountain (Meru) with city lights of Moshi and Arusha below. Shot atop Shira Camp on Mount Kilimanjaro.

Five strangers. One mountain.
A journey that tests more than strength.

On the slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro, five climbers set out to conquer Africa’s tallest peak, guided by three seasoned experts and supported by a devoted team of 24 porters. But this is no ordinary adventure. Pole Pole (Swahili for “slowly, slowly”) captures an unforgettable expedition where each step becomes a reflection of a deeper battle: grief, anxiety, depression, and the silent struggles we carry.

As the group ascends, bonds are forged, truths are revealed, and resilience is pushed to its limits. When their most experienced guide suffers a life-threatening emergency on summit night, the climb turns into a race against time and a powerful reminder that healing doesn’t end at the top.

From breathtaking vistas to raw, emotional revelations, Pole Pole is a gripping, deeply human story about moving forward—even when the air gets thin.

Group of four hikers ascending a rocky trail in a forested area with sunlight streaming through the trees.

Meet the Cast

  • Shelby Carol Cude

    Live Multi-Camera Director & Photographer

    A woman with a camera takes pictures of a sunset or sunrise at a campsite on a mountainside, with tents and other people visible in the background.

  • Heather Benton, MA, LPC

    Mountaineer & Therapist

    A woman standing outdoors on a balcony with crossed arms, smiling, wearing a navy blue t-shirt and a baseball cap, with a background of green trees and a cloudy sky.

  • Aleya Littleton, MA, LPC, NMI

    Adventure Therapist

    A smiling woman with braided hair, wearing a gray cap, blue shirt, and backpack, standing on a trail with a trekking pole in a forested area. Two other hikers are visible in the background.

  • Zachary Miller

    Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technician – U.S. Air Force

    A man in outdoor hiking gear standing on a large rock with a cloudy sky and some greenery in the background, holding a backpack strap, with hiking poles leaning against the rock beside him.

  • Anne Fabricius, DMD, FACP

    Board-Certified Prosthodontist

    Person in red winter jacket and blue hat smiling outdoors at sunrise or sunset, in snowy terrain.

  • Tom Kwai

    Lead Guide

    Man with a large blue backpack, sunglasses, and a gray t-shirt hiking on rocky terrain outdoors.

  • Mohammad Hemed

    Assistant Guide

    A man smiling outdoors, wearing a beige cap, dark jacket, and carrying a teal backpack, with a rocky and plant-filled background.

  • Salim Mbaga

    Assistant Guide

    A man with dark skin, wearing a gray cap with a Brooklyn Nets logo, a blue Zambian sports jersey, carrying a large gray backpack, hiking outdoors on a rocky trail.

  • Yusuf Ngaina

    Owner of Plains to Peaks

    A man sitting in the driver’s seat of a vehicle, smiling at the camera, wearing a beige shirt and cap, with a green outdoor background.

acclimatization:

the process or result of becoming accustomed to a new climate or to new conditions.

A woman sitting on a brown leather couch in a cozy living room with filming equipment around her, including lights and cameras, during a recording or interview session.
People seated inside a sheltered viewing area at a park, looking toward a hillside with trees and visitors near a large, open gate.
Group of hikers walking through a foggy, lush green forest on a muddy trail.
Group of four hikers walking along a rocky trail in a foggy, mountainous landscape, some carrying backpacks and one using an umbrella.
Group of hikers walking in a line on a trail on a mountainous landscape with clouds in the sky.
A woman sitting at a wooden dining table, smiling and talking, while being filmed by a person using a professional camera and wearing headphones in a cozy, well-lit kitchen with large windows and houseplants.
Three yellow tents set up on a rocky, volcanic landscape with more tents and small structures in the background under cloudy skies.
Five people on a rooftop patio, four women and one man, wearing matching navy blue shirts and caps, with a backdrop of green trees and cloudy sky.
Campgrounds on a mountain slope at sunset with a mountain in the background and clouds below, and several people walking around the tents.