Boy, 8, Scales Mt. Kilimanjaro To Raise Awareness About Duchenne

STUDIO CITY (CBS) — At just 8 years old, Tyler Armstrong of Yorba Linda has become the second youngest person to summit the highest mountain in Africa.

Climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro is so dangerous that the Tanzania government doesn't allow anyone under the age of 10 to attempt it, but Armstrong was given a special permit.

He dedicated his six-day trek to raising awareness for Duchenne, a form of Muscular Dystrophy that affects only boys and leaves them wheelchair-bound by the age of 12.

Armstrong joined us live in studio on KCAL9 News Sunday morning to talk about his amazing adventure.

He credits Cliff Bars, "all this other kind of food" and his father for his success, but admits the climb was tough at times.

"I did feel a little weak when I was going up on the last day," he told KCAL9's Serene Branson and Kaj Goldberg. "On the last day, because we had to start at 11 o'clock at night, so I was really tired. So my dad said, 'Keep going, keep going.'"

Armstrong, who was hoisted in the air by African villagers after coming down the mountain, says he was fortunate to meet a 15-year-old boy suffering from Duchenne during his trip.

"It was really cool because everyone was holding me up," he recalls.

So what's next for Armstrong, who has already raised $10,000 to fight Duchenne?

"In a year and a half from now, I want to climb Mount Aconcagua in Argentina," he says.

To learn more about Tyler and his adventures, visit Top with Tyler.

To learn more about Duchenne, visit CureDuchenne.