Kilimanjaro Here We Come!!!

Well after months of planning our team of 9 is headed to Kilimanjaro next week! We have all been feverishly training, getting our Visas, shots, malaria pills, gear, and most importantly fundraising for International Medical Corps!

You can still show your support by donating at either http://www.climbtakeaction.com/ or http://www.firstgiving.com/hike2empower . Each team member has their own donating page or you can make a general donation.

We are all very anxious now to get to Moshi. . some of faced quite a few logistical hiccups this last month, as Delta canceled all of our flights!! Long story. . we managed to get it all sorted. . but wow. .glad that is behind us.

Right now I feel truly blessed for having the opportunity to embark on this adventure, but also to be joined by an amazing group of individuals who are compelled to make a difference in the lives of others. It will be an experience of a lifetime regardless of summit success or not. Our main objective is to raise support and awareness for International Medical Corps and women and children in the Congo and Uganda.

I will head to Mt. Whitney (14,505 ft) in California this weekend for some last minute training. . .earlier this month I met up with some of the Elbrus crew and hit up Mt. Elbert 14,440 feet (summit reached) and Quandary Peak 14,265 (lightening got in the way of the summit :( ) in Colorado. I know the rest of the team has been busy training in CA, Hong Kong, and New York on mountains, stairs, trails, whatever they can squeeze in :o) We are all committed to pushing ourselves to the limit and hopefully making it to the Roof of Africa by the 18th!

For those of you who may be wondering. . . below is our proposed itinerary. . . if there are any last minute adventurers out there. .contact me and come along with us and make a difference for an extraordinary humanitarian organization and group of women and children!

Our Itinerary: July 12-18

July 12:
Arrive Moshi- Meet the team

July 13:
Marangu Gate to Mandara Hut Our climb will officially commence with a 4 hour walk to the Mandara encampment. We will pass through a thick rainforest zone, then spend the night at Mandara hut (2750m).

July 14:
Mandara Hut to Horombo Hut
We continue our ascent through the forest, before reaching the heather and moorland zone at roughly 3000m. Enjoy stunning views of the mountain peaks at this altitude. We spend the night at Horombo Hut (3720m), which lies in a valley surrounded by giant lobelia and groundsel, flora which are characteristic of this semi-alpine zone.

July 15:
Horombo Hut to Kibo Hut
Our trek ascends onto the saddle of Kilimanjaro, between the peaks of Kibo and Mwenzi. The vegetation thins out as we enter the desert-like alpine zone (approximately 4000m) and, once we cross the saddle, a stunning view of Kibo peak comes into view. Spend the night at Kibo Hut (4703m), a comfortable stone construction. This semi-desert zone receives an annual rainfall of under 250mm and few plants other than lichens and grass survive in these conditions.

July 16:
Kibo Hut to Summit to Horombo Hut Around midnight, we commence the climb towards the summit of Kilimanjaro. An early start time improves our chances of reaching the summit in time for the famous Kili sunrise. From Gillman's Point (5685m), it is a further 3 hour round trip along the crater's edge to Uhuru Peak (5896m), the highest point in Africa. From the summit, it is downhill all the way to Horombo Hut where we spend our last night on the mountain.

July 17:
Descent - Horombo Hut to Marangu Gate
Todays descent continues past the Mandara encampment to the bottom of the mountain, where each hiker will receive a well-earned certificate. Take a swim, have a congratulatory beverage, and enjoy a good night's sleep in the comfort of our hotel in Moshi.

July 18:
Depart Moshi – Some of our team will stay and enjoy Arusha National Park for a Day.

July 19-26:
Genevieve, Brooke, and I have the wonderful opportunity to Volunteer at International Medical Corps' refugee camp, Nakivale, on the Congolese/Ugandan border. We look forward to meeting the women and children we are supporting and sharing their stories with you and how all of your donations are making their lives better upon our return.

Follow my blog to keep track of our progress on this adventure of a lifetime that saves lives!

And if you can, please support our cause, any little bit has an impact in someone's life. If we can help just 1 person, we have made a difference.

Cheers and Many Thanks,

Georgina

Join us for Kilimanjaro July 2009!!!

A team and I are headed to Kilimanjaro July 12-18 and we want you to join us!

Join us and reach the roof of Africa in order to raise funds and awareness for International Medical Corps and their efforts for women and children in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda. The trip costs $1399 USD (if more than 16 participate then only $1275). The climb will be guided by GAP ADVENTURES. We currently have about 35 spaces available, so we really hope you will join us on an Adventure of a Lifetime that Saves Lives! You have until May 11 to sign up!

All the trip details can be found on this link: http://go.gapadventures.com/GeorginasMtKilimanjaro

You can learn more on Facebook as well: http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/event.php?eid=42351129282

Climbers are asked to raise $3,000 in sponsorships to support International Medical Corps’ gender-based violence prevention, nutritional, and mental health care programs benefiting the women and children in these two war-torn countries. With this challenge, empower yourself by empowering others!One of the programs you will support through this climb is the construction of a new reproductive health center in the Congo that will train physicians and nurse anesthetists in complicated gynecological procedures and improve women’s access to quality medical services. Currently, there is only one hospital in the country that specializes in helping victims of sexual violence, leaving many women at risk of not receiving any care at all. In a country where as many as two-thirds of women have been raped, the new reproductive health center is a critical addition that will protect the health of thousands of women and children who otherwise may never have received care.

If you are ready to sign up, please contact me at: info@climbtakeaction.com

Thinking of going, but still not sure? To join our Facebook group and receive the latest updates!http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/group.php?gid=31591444468

Look forward to hearing from you!!

Georgina :)

Summit Number 2 and Fundraising Update!!!

On December 30, 2008 one of my best friends, Trisha Haakonstad, and I made it to the summit of Mt. Kosciuszko, 2228m, Australia, to benefit International Medical Corps!

So we are 2 summits down and 5 more to go! I will be posting more details to the hike itself, but it was a cold, cold day in Thredbo with temperatures of 0 Celcius and a -5 to -10 windchill at the top. It was again amazing to make it up there with one of my closest friends all to benefit International Medical Corps and women in the Congo and Uganda. Mt. Kos is a 5 hour drive from Sydney and located near Thredbo Village in Kosciuszko National Park. It is by far the easiest of the 7 summits to reach, yet it was a long journey to Australia from Portland, and we were hit with some pretty foul weather that day :o) We were fortunate enough to bring in the New Year in Sydney the following day after reaching the summit.

View our photos:

A want to give a VERY BIG THANK YOU to all of our supporters!!!!!!!! All you have done has had a tremendous impact! All funds raised in 2008 are being utilized to support a new reproductive health 'Center of Excellence' in South Kivu, Congo, that will train physicians and nurse anesthetists in complicated gynecologicalprocedures and improve women's access to quality health services. One of the most critical procedures that IMC will focus on in the Center is first and second-degree fistula repair, a rupture that can occur during birth and violent cases of rape. If leftuntreated, fistulas can lead to very serious health complications, even death.

In Democratic Republic of Congo, there is only hospital in the country that specializes in helping victims of sexual violence, Panzi Hospital, which receives anastonishing caseload of 400 patients per month. This new center will help lower their burden and improve the care for victims of sexual violence.

A BIG BIG THANK YOU!!! Your support has and will continue to make a difference! To continue supporting our efforts, please visit: http://www.climbtakeaction.com/ . Uganda needs additional health facilities as well.

Our next climb is Kilimanjaro July 2009! Join us for this amazing trek and help us raise funds and awareness for women in the Congo and Uganda and help International Medical Corps continue their amazing work!

For more details visit: http://m.facebook.com/event.php?r6f8a5452=&eid=42351129282&refid=25


Warmest wishes and many thanks!!!!!

Georgina

Summit Number 2 Almost Here

Greetings from New Zealand.. .

I arrived in New Zealand today and will be here for a week before heading to Australia to hike up Mount Kosciuszko on December 30, 2008. It was quite a long trip to from Portland, so I tried to make the most of it by visiting NZ and will be hiking the Milford Track starting tomorrow. Queenstown is absolutely beautiful and am so grateful to be here.

As some of you may know Mount Kosciuszko @ 2228 m will be summit number 2 as part of the Climb Take Action campaign for women and children in the Congo and Uganda benefiting International Medical Corps. www.imcworldwide.org This is by far the easiest of the 7, but one of them none the less and I am very excited to say that one of my best friends, Trisha Haakonstad, will be joining me in Australia and do the hike with me for the campaign.

So more news to come once we make it to the top! A couple of updates though. . . for starters the situation in the Congo has worsened severely over the past few months and help is needed now more than ever. IMC is working hard to keep providing humanitarian assistance. In July a team of us will be heading to Mt. Kilimanjaro to climb for IMC. . .we can have up to a group of 50, but spaces are filling up. We will be asking that everyone that participates raise $3000 for IMC (tax deductible). The trip details can be found at http://go.gapadventures.com/GeorginasMtKilimanjaro . The trip will be guided by Gap Adventures and promises to be an amazing experience and allow us to help others along the way. I will be headed to Africa the week prior to the climb to visit and volunteer at IMC's camps and meet some of the individuals we are working hard to support.

Here are links to the latest news from the Congo :

LATEST NEWS FROM THE CONGO

http://imcworldwide.org/content/article/detail/2010
http://www.imcworldwide.org/content/media/detail/1974/


Wishing you all a very merry holiday season! Thank you for your continued support and encouragement!

Warm wishes,

Georgina

Others Committed to Take Action

I would like to thank and highlight Bianca Roman, from San Diego, who trekked Machu Picchu, Peru on November 21st on behalf of International Medical Corps and the women of the Congo and Uganda. Bianca successfully raised $500 is less than one month! After reading about the campaign and crisis in an article she contacted me to see how she could become involved and make an impact.

As Bianca says, "This is my opportunity to help women and children in the Congo and Uganda and also fortify my mind, body, and spirit." I hope Bianca's story will inspire and encourage others to get involved in Climb Take Action, as she chose to feature her upcoming challenge and help others along the way.

At the root core, the ability to empower yourself by empowering others is a fantastic thing and I encourage anyone reading this blog to learn more about the crisis in the Congo and Uganda on our website and dedicate your next challenge to the cause, whether that be a long trek, a marathon run, a climb, a cycling race, whatever the challenge may be. Help us raise awareness and gain support for a group of women and children whose suffering has been kept silent for far too long.

I am extremely grateful to Bianca for stepping up and taking action and joining us in our efforts to make an impact! We all have the power to make a difference in the lives of others no matter how big or small.

Representing more than 80% the world’s refugees, women and children suffer most in emergencies, yet they hold the key to a healthy, peaceful future because of their resilience and determination. Both Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, neighboring countries in central Africa, have suffered more than two decades of civil wars that have left millions dead and even greater numbers homeless. None have suffered more than the women and children.

Tens of thousands of women have been neglected, murdered, abducted, brutally raped, tortured, and overall forgotten. Congo Wars have claimed more lives than any conflict since the end of World War II, yet the crisis has received little attention outside of central Africa. Help us in our efforts to raise support and awareness that will that will bring the physical, emotional, and financial resources necessary to help women in Congo and Uganda empower themselves.

All proceeds will directly support U.S. based humanitarian aid organization, International Medical Corps' (IMC), improve the health and well-being of thousands of women and children affected by war and chronic poverty in Congo and Uganda. All donations are tax deductible. Sponsored programs currently include, but are not limited to: gender-based violence prevention, nutritional and mental health care programs.

From Relief to Self-Reliance, International Medical Corps is empowering women to rebuild their lives and create a brighter future for their children.
Some of the world’s worst acts against humanity have taken place here, especially against women and children. Peace, change, and stability can only come to these regions with a vested interest from the global community.

To learn more or Donate, visit http://www.climbtakeaction.com

Warmest Regards,

Georgina

Hike 2 Empower Event a Success!

On September 27th a hundred hikers joined me in hiking 5k at Paramount Ranch in Los Angeles for the women in the Congo and Uganda at our 1st Annual Hike 2 Empower Event!

The energy and enthusiasm to make a difference in the lives of these women and children was amazing amongst our participants. I can't tell you how great it felt to get the community involved, see everyone enjoying the outdoors, and making an impact in the lives of others all at the same time! Our motto for this event: Empower yourself by empowering others!

The event was held at beautiful Paramount Ranch in the Santa Monica Mountains, where many classic westerns were filmed and shows like "Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman." The event kicked off with Yoga Stretch Warm-up led by Georgina Purple from Purple Tree Yoga. Everyone did a great job at testing out their flexibility :o)

There is something to be said about being fit, exercising, being outdoors, doing yoga :o), you get my point. . .it can be very empowering for an individual. I know it is for me. Thus our goal at this event was to empower yourself by taking action for others. . . and that we did. I hope to expand this event to other cities in the upcoming year. . . but will need help! So any of you out there reading this, dying to jump in and take action, reach out to me and lets see how we can work together for this great cause.

Here are some pictures of the event





Special Thanks to: lululemon athletica (The Commons~Calabasas, CA), Vitamin Water, and Clif Bar. These companies rock and were a great support to our event! A HUGH THANK YOU to all of our participants. . .you are all leaders of change and congrats for taking action in your community and for others! Thank you!

Hope all that participated had a great time and looking forward to next year!

As for Climb Take Action. . . Australia here I come in December! Also, we are in the final stages of organizing our Kilimanjaro July 2009 Climb. If you are interested in participating let me know. We hope to have a team of 10-15 all climbing for the women of the Congo and Uganda and benefiting International Medical Corps.

Until next time. . . happy trails. . . remember we all have the power to make a difference in the lives of others.

Many Thanks,

Georgina

~Never limit yourself or life's potential. The extraordinary is always possible!~ G.M.

Watch us at the top of Elbrus!

It is unbelievable that just 2 weeks ago we were standing on the top of Europe (5642m) on Mt. Elbrus! Time flies. I wanted to share some moments from the summit with all of you. Again it was an absolutely amazing experience I will treasure for a lifetime. My work is not done though, the women of the Congo and Uganda still need a tremendous amount of support and we are still trying to reach our fundraising goal of $282,100. Again all proceeds go directly to International Medical Corps. I have sponsorship packages available for download on the Climb Take Action Site. You can also make an online donation at http://www.climbtakeaction.com/ . It is super easy to do and every little bit counts and will make a great impact in the life of a fellow woman or child.

I am back on the training wagon again. . . I gave myself a week off and got caught up on some comfort food. I must say I will not be eating soup for a VERY long time. I must have had 25+ bowls of soup on the trip! Pizza was what I was craving the most along with some Chinese food and Cuban food. Yummy! Now back to work and prepping for my next summit! Mt. Kosciuszko (2228m) here I come this December. . . then off to Kilimanjaro (5895 m) Summer 2009. Stay tuned for more news on Kilimanjaro and we are trying to organize a Climb Take Action Team trek! If anyone reading this would like to join us in our climbing efforts. . . the more the merrier and we would love to have you. Please contact me for more details.

We also have some great events coming up in LA area and hope you will join us!

August 14th at lululemon athletica- Calabasas
"Empower Yourself by Empowering Others"
HIKE 2 EMPOWER KICK-OFF PARTY!

**food, drinks, music, fun**

For more info visit: http://www.hike2empower.org or you can RSVP to: calabasas-community@lululemon.com


September 27th 5k Hike 2 Empower Event Paramount Ranch

Register today and start fundraising! http://www.hike2empower.org

We hope to see you at these events! If you would like to make a general donation please visit: http://www.climbtakeaction.com

Now Enjoy the Show! Top of Europe~ Mt. Elbrus, Russia 5642 m July 22, 2008



Have a great day and remember we all have the power to make a difference!

Georgina