A journey to the top of the CN Tower 60 years in the making

Emily Vandermeer

Zulfikar Gulamhusein will be marking his sixtieth birthday by taking part in the WWF CN Tower Climb for Nature. His milestone journey up the skyscraper’s 1,776 steps has been a long time in the making.

Zulfikar leans against a black and white patterned wall.
© Zulfikar Gulamhusein

Perhaps it began with zebras, an animal abundant in East Africa where he was born. When Zulfikar started going grey at 22 years old, the species soon held even more meaning: “I’ve had to deal with the challenge of black and white in my hair. The zebra is something I can relate to.”

The COVID-19 pandemic was also a pivotal time for Zulfikar, who saw deer in the heart of Toronto for the first time. With all the cars gone, he even saw wildlife crossing empty highways. The impact humans have on wildlife became clear as people resumed their normal routines and the animals went away.

“It was a wake-up call for me,” he says. “Wow, there’s something around me that I didn’t see because I’ve pushed it away. You know, my actions have pushed it away. My environment has pushed them away. So, now, when I do see an animal during my walk, I get very excited.”

Or when he turned 57 and began to feel himself getting older. Convinced he wasn’t at his full potential, Zulfikar began walking 10,000 steps outdoors every day and joined a hiking group.

Zulfikar selfie outside on a hike training for the WWF CN Tower Climb for Nature.
Zulfikar on a hike, training for the CN Tower Climb for Nature.

It isn’t until he won a four-day walking challenge in 2023 that the top of the tower really came into focus for Zulfikar. Reflecting on the moment the step counter stopped, he recalls, “There I am, 58 years old, with grey hair. There were no big medals to walk away with. But it ignited me in a way, to say, you know what, I can do anything.”

The CN Tower Climb for Nature came naturally after that moment. His cousin, who had been doing the climb for a few years and is the captain of team Don’t Stair at Me, reached out to see if he wanted to do it. And, of course, Zulfikar was in.

While he isn’t aiming for the fastest time (just a “reasonable time”), he has set his sights on the top of the fundraising leaderboard. After quickly exceeding his first goal of $1,776, his advice to other climbers is to be passionate about your story because when you believe in your story, people will donate because they believe in you.

Zulfikar posing in front of ocean photos at the zoo.

As the climb gets closer, Zulfikar is excited to reach his destination and experience the feeling of accomplishment that comes with conquering Toronto’s tallest landmark. But as the saying goes, it’s the journey that matters most.

To prepare for the 144-floor undertaking, Zulfikar joined a gym for the first time and is climbing the 22 floors in his apartment building. He sees the personal challenge as an “opportunity to reverse things and make my health better and my body better.” He adds, “it’s bringing about a change in my life. And I’m appreciating that.”

Join the CN Tower Climb for Nature

Feeling inspired? Register to climb the CN Tower on April 5 or 6. You can also climb the stands of BC Place on May 10, or stairs anywhere near you with the WWF Anywhere Climb for Nature. Every step you take and dollar you raise helps conserve wildlife and their habitats.

Read more climber stories here.