Day 4 "Climb for Clean Water"

The cell phone coverage is unbelievable and I'm able to reach Wendy at Base Camp on a daily basis to report the ups and downs.

The community of climbers has really taken hold and there's an amazing spirit within us.

We are heading upwards all the way over 7 hours to reach Barafu Hut at 15,091 feet.

Day 3 "Climb for Clean Water"

It was a tough 12km 6 hour trek leaving Shira Plateau at 12,598 feet, early today. The guides led us up the steep, sheer faced wall of Barracno ridge where the ascent was arduous climbing over boulders and rocky terrain.

At the lunch break as usual, good quality food was served and most of us chowed down like it was going to be our last meal...... and then "hit the wall." Already exhausted we climbed to 15,091 feet again to acclimate and then descend to Barranco Campsite 12,959 feet, for the night. An experienced climber who successfully ascended the summit of Kilimanjaro 2 years prior, started feeling the onset of a headache midday and began taking medication to alleviate it. Feeling no relief he soon became a burden so we threw him over the edge................Just Kidding !................He had 23 very concerned trek-mates who nursed him back to health and everyone settled in for a well deserved nights rest.

I might add the terrestrial glow is like no other and the galaxies twinkle you into a dreamland with anticipation and excitement for what tomorrow might bring.

Resting heart rate 100

Oxygen 83

Day 2 "Climb for Clean Water"

Tuesday March 2

Awoke early feeling well rested.and hungry. Unfortunately, most of the other climbers did not sleep well, even though yesterdays trek through the rainforest was stunning.

The planning and research into choosing the best possible climbing gear is paying off big dividends. My backpack is excellent, easy to carry, plenty of room for 3 liters of water, nutritious snacks, first aid supplies, and a wide selection of clothing as you never know what the next hour will bring in terms of weather conditions. AND best of all, the condition of the muscles in my back are 100%. Thank you Cara from Valhalla in Red Deer for your expert knowledge and advise!

We departed at 9:30 hiking over very steep terrain breaking for lunch at 1:30. The meals the cooks have prepared for us are healthy, good quality foods, and plenty of it.

With a group of this size it's amazing how the dynamics have "jelled". The encouragement is non-stop with stories, jokes and a very tight sense of community forming. We could hold our own Olympics as the countries represented are; Canada (in the gold), USA (wanting gold), Germany, Australia, and Turkey. The USA trekkers are from Seattle, Salt Lake City, Atlanta, Michigan, Tampa, New Orleans, and wait...... along comes New Hampshire. Not crawling but strolling into camp comes trekker Gray who was unfortunate to have not 1 but 2 flight delays and was not able to make the connections into Kilimanjaro. Gray along with a guide and 2 porters did a 2 day climb in 1 day to meet up with the team! What an accomplishment for him already!

The porter also delivered a misplaced duffel bag complete with sleeping bag and all gear for Tessa.Whew! Amazing it was found as hundreds of black duffel bags are used as mainstay gear.

Feeling totally exhausted after 6 hours through the moorland zone of Shira Plateau we arrived at Shira Hut 12,598 feet. Once again there is no hut here, but our tents are perfect. After resting Godfrey (the head guide) announced we are about to do some altitude training so we climbed for 40 minutes to acclimate our bodies and then descended back down to the camp for a good nights rest.

Day 1 "Climb for Clean Water"

Monday March 1 2010

The team arrived at the Machame Gate 6,397 feet for registration with the park officials and a box lunch of chicken meat, boiled eggs, fruit, sandwich, muffin and juice.

After the last bites the skies opened up and in a total downpour the Kili 2010 team began their ascent of Mount Kilimanjaro. At 19,340 feet Kili is the highest mountain on the continent of Africa and the tallest free-standing mountain in the world.

Resembling a kalaidescope with rain ponchos of every color, the porters each carrying a maximum of 50 pound loads on their heads, including enough rigid lawn chairs for the comfort of the team at campfire splashed their way through the entrance, some wearing sandals made of old car tires.

It was an 8 hour trek through thick forest to Machame Hut which lies at 9,481 feet. The hut is now a ruin and the porters that climbed ahead of the team had set up camp consisting of 14 tents for the trekkers, a mess tent for gathering and meals, plus enough tents for the 2 head guides, 2 cooks, 10 assistant guides, and 51 porters. All toll there are 89 people in the "Climb For Clean Water".

Resting heart rate 92

Oxygen level 83

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My training regime for Mount Kilimanjaro

Here's just a brief sample of my training regime to prepare for Mount Kilimanjaro... Brrrr... some days it sure is chilly out there!!!