Santa Barbara Paraglider Pilot Flying to Tanzania For Charity

A Santa Barbara paraglider is traveling to Tanzania. Cormac O’Brien is joining more than 20 other pilots who are planning to hike and fly off of Mount Kilimanjaro.

“I think people raise money for and they don’t really know where that money goes, but we’re going out there. We’re going to see this money in action,” said Cormac O’Brien.

He signed up for an adventure of a lifetime with Wings of Kilimanjaro. Participants visit Mount Kilimanjaro, one of the 7 Summits Of the World. It has a 19,341 foot peak where paragliders will hike up and launch themselves from the summit and paraglide down.

“The flying is kind of the easy part. It’s just making the hike and making the summit. At those elevations, I’ve never been that high before. I think the highest before this is 14,000,” said O’Brien.

His friends are excited for him.

“I think it’s so freaking cool to climb a big mountain with a bunch of like-minded individuals and fly off especially the biggest mountain on the continent of Africa is just going to be rad,” said Mitch Riley of Eagle Paragliding.

The climb is an adventure of a lifetime, but it will be dangerous.

“I’m just worried about his safety of course, but I’m so excited for his adventure. We just found out we’re having a baby in March so he better come back alive,” said Kaitlin Stout, O’Brien’s girlfriend.

O’Brien will leave for Africa on Saturday. He is raising money for this trip. O’Brien says 100% of the funds will go towards helping Tazanians. To donate, you can visit this link. Donations are accepted until October 31, 2016.

O’Brien will also be posting updates, photos and videos on his social media sites. (Facebook/Instagram)