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
