Back to USA

Thank you to each of the climbers who ventured out to Tanzania to climb Kilimanjaro for the kids AFCA supports! We couldn't have asked for a better climbing company and are so proud to partner with Summit Expedition and Nomadic Experience (SENE)! I didn't hear a single negative thing from any of the participants and i certainly didn't have anything but wonderful experiences, either. My kids and I were treated exceptionally well, ate wonderfully and had a great time while waiting for the team to summit.

I hope that some of you reading this blog will decide to join us in 2010 for what is certainly going to be an annual event for AFCA. In January 2011, we will also have our first women's Kilimanjaro team, so sign up now!

Thanks to everyone who made this possible. without faithful donors and sponsors, the climbers, SENE, and countless others, it wouldn't have happened. Thanks for making a lifetime dream for the seven climbers become a life for the children we serve.

Tanya, on behalf of the kids

Climb Up Kilimanjaro Comes to an End

The climb up Kilimanjaro event is drawing to a close. It has truly been a wonderful life-changing event. After coming off the mountain, we spent another day on the SENE farm, recovering and thanking the many guides and supporters who made this event possible. It was a fun party and it was neat to have the opportunity to spend time together once again.

a HUGE thank you again to our many sponsors and donors. Without you, we wouldn't have made it!

This will be an annual event and registry is already open for 2010. Visit www.climbupsokidscangrowup.com or contact us for more information by calling 717.489.0206.

Thanks!

-Eric

A final word from Kilimanjaro

9/21

After a long day yesterday we finished the day at 12500ft. We ate supper and went straight to bed. Today is a new day, everyone slept well we ate breakfast and we were on our final descent by 8. We descented over 4000ft in 5 hours. Everyones knees have held up and there have been no injuries on our trip. We are heading back to the farm to clean up and eat.

A day after reaching the summit, I look back on the experience as one that was very very challenging. Yesterday, I said that I would never do this again. Today after I am rested I think it is something I would do again. Especially if I am doing it for a cause.

Thank you again to our many sponsors and for SENE for making this trip possible and for help raising awerness and funds for the american foundation for children with aids

-Eric

Kilimanjaro Update 8

9/20

Eric:

Today was summit day. We woke up at 11pm ate and we began our summit push at 12:15 am. We started out atb15000ft and our goal was to reach the tallest peak in africa. What a very difficult day and personally i don't think it is something i want to again.

Rena unfortunately was not able to make the summit because of the cold and exhaustion. It taxed the rest of us to the extreme as well. We finally all reached the summit (with wonderful guiding by SENE) at 8:15am. After a couple pictures we began our 3 hour descent. I am sure each team member has their own feelings about today, i am exhausted and can't say i had fun.

Special Message from Kilimanjaro

Laying down 2 rest before midnight ascent. 6-7 hours up then 2 down. Eating is tough. Spirits are up. Drinking water bottles freezing. I love you Jamie, Mom, and Dad ~(from Randi)

Kilimanjaro Update 7

9/19

Eric:
It is 5:30 in the morning, another hour and we will be starting our day with coffee and tea. Breakfast at 7:30 and then we begin our ascent to barafu camp.

Sitting around eating breakfast. Cream of wheat, crepes, fruit, tea and coffee. In a little bit we will begin our ascent to high base camp at 15000ft

Camp 5- 12pm, 15000ft. lunch and then rest. We will then have supper at 5pm, rest and then we begin our ascent to the summit at midnight. Everyone is well.

We have eaten supper and we are all in our tent by 6:30pm. We will be up in 5 hours for breakfast and to begin our climb. Please remember this is not just about us climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro but a climb with a purpose to raise funds for AFCA so that kids can grow up and make a difference so have strength to face other challenges.

Randi:
Hi to my parents. Little short of breath but very excited about summiting.

Kilimanjaro Update 6

9/18

Eric:
Morning day 4: everyone seems to have slept well despite headaches, nausea, etc due to the altitude. It is well below freezing. Today we descend to help adjust.

We are sitting in the shadow of mt. kilimanjaro as the sun rises. What a feeling!! As a team, no one has been as high as we are now. It is cold but we are all upbeat and exited about what today holds. In less than 48 hours we will be summitting

We have reached camp 4, 13100 ft. Everyone is feeling very well. SENE is providing great food. I have taken some awesome pictues with the GOPRO camera.

Things are going well. Everyone seems to be doing better today after a decrease in altitude.

We started today at 8:30 (we were at 15100ft) had lunch at one (at 13000ft) and then proceed to camp 4 which is as at 13200ft. There was a lot up and down between where we started and where we ended up.

Dinner tonight will be tomato and ginger soup, chicken stew with macroni, butternut squash, sauteed vegatables, fruit with tea for desert.

Everyone is loving their warm feet because of the Darn Tough socks and Merrel boots.


Neil:
Feeling much better today at 15k. Hello to Jaime Looking forward to summit.

Randy:
Brad, don't work to hard. K Hope the cats are not driving you crazy. And I miss you girls.

Tom:
Hi to trurin, mom, carol, darrell. Day 4 feeling strong, luv u all

Kilimanjaro Update 5

9/17

Day 3- Some of the team hd a difficult time sleeping last night because of the altitude but ll seems well this morning

Tech40 alpine pro recorded temp. of 36 degrees F in the tent last night. Osprey kestrel 38 is fitting and performing well

Made camp 3 at 2pm. 15000ft. Slow going but everyone seems to be remaining strong. Thank you merrel boots! Everyone is enjoying their boots.

Wow what a view! Came to lava tower at 15000ft. And it was snowing. The snow has left and the sun is starting to come thru the clouds. We will spend the night here and hopefully get some sleep. Some of the team are feeling the effects of the altitude, headache, shortness of breathe but everyone is hanging strong. SENE has provided awesome service and great food! Anyone looking to come to kilimanjaro needs to go with SENE top notch.

The team is also loving the socks provided by Darn Tough. Thank you to all the sponsors friends, and family that have made this trip possible


-Eric

Kilimanjaro Update 4

Eric:
Start of day 2, slept well except for ket lag. 4 to 5 hour hike today. Let's get this party started

Climbing, climbing... tech40 watch says we have reached 10833 ft.

Summit expeditions and nomadic experience (SENE). What an exception group of guides and porters. They keep things clean, well organized, make sure we are staying health, day2 and highly recommended

11300ft sure break to stay hydrated and eat a larbar.

Made camp 2 by 1:30pm 12500 ft. Lunch and rest will take a short 2 hour hike to help acclimate this afternoon. Team is doing well.


Tom:
Day 2 break. Felix our guide is laughing... Bacon, eggs, fresh local fruit, coffee, tea. Sun came up over Kili. Hello Taurin, ma& sis love you.

Kilimanjaro Update 3

9/15

Neil:
Finishing group breakfast. Taking vitals last time before starting 1st day ascent. Should hit Machame Gate around 10am. Woop Woop!

Rena A.:
"Life is measured not by lengths but by the depths"...interesting to find a piece of stone with these words on the mantel of the fire place in the common area.

At the farm we are staying, we gather for our deliciously prepared mels by the incredible Chagga people...Beautiful features, kind hearts, and unheard of hospitality. I think last time I felt someone being so attentive to me when my mom was still alive. Well, we are about to embark on our journey. We are 15 minutes away from our adventure. Thank you for reading. Asante sana!


Eric:

Morning of the climb! Everyone is packed and we are eating breakfast and we should be leaving soon.
The night was a little restless with jet lag and two kids that didn't sleep too well.

Tanya and the kids still do not have their clothes.

(4:30pm-)
Made it to camp one. Went from 6000 to 10000ft today. Greeted with singing and dancing by the SENE crew. Feeling pretty good and it was fun to hear the music and to be greeted by good food and happiness.

A Special Message from Tanzania

Brad,

I love you! We are having a blast and are ready to leave tomorrow morning...so exciting. Miss you.

-Randi

Kilimanjaro Update 2

9/14- 8:54 a.m.

Breakfast, morning hike, lunch, afternoon hike. Enjoying the wonderful scenery. Now we are doing a trip briefing and last gear check before the trip.

Aiden and julia both had a great nap and are both doing well.

-Eric Weaver

Kilimanjaro Update

9/13-3:08 a.m.

The team is together except for Rena, who we meet in Tanzania. We have arrived in Amsterdam and have to rush to our next flight. Some of you know, others may not, but my wife and two children are traveling with us as well and will be stay at base camp as the team climbs. They are both doing well and have slept some.

2:13 p.m.

We have arrived at the kilimajaro. 15 hours of flying, 7 hours of layovers. We all need sleep :)

We got all our bags except the bag with clothing for Tanya, Aiden and Julia. Plus the bag with gifts and diapers, that is going to be a problem now we begin our two hour drive to base camp.

Eric Weaver

On the way...

The team is on their way to Tanzania! I will be keeping you posted with their updates as they send them to me, via text messages. Here's the first:

9/12- 3:19 p.m.

Had a good flight from Harrisburg to Detroit. Randi, a fellow team member and first time flyer, did well. Here, we will meet up with four other teammates. High level of excitement as we wait. Hope our next flight is on time as we only have am hour in Amsterdam before our flight to Tanzania.



Stay tuned for more to come on their progress!

4 Days to Kilimanjaro

Yes, the time has come to put the last touches on the packing, the last bit of exercise to be packed into a busy day, and getting ready for the big day. The team of climbers who will be summiting Kilimanjaro on behalf of the children served by the American Foundation for Children with AIDS is leaving USA on the 12th of September and expect to summit on the 19th. We are all very excited about the climb and thank our friends at Merrel, Mountain Khakis, Summit Expeditions and Nomadic Experience, Darn Tough Socks, Osprey, GoPro, Tech40, Dejo, and Larabar for all their incredible support.

Keep your eyes peeled here...we'll be posting comments from various team members as they climb Africa's highest mountain.