Running in the Shadow of Kilimanjaro

Each year runners converge on Moshi, a town at the base of Kilimanjaro, to run a marathon. Not only is the race  in an exotic location, it's a bit unusual in its purpose.

Normally marathoners run for the glory of a prize or to post an improved time, or simply to say they've completed a marathon. This marathon is a bit different as it has a bigger purpose. Proceeds from this event benefit the underprivileged living in Tanzania. In addition, the marathon boosts tourism in Tanzania and builds its economy.

Follow this link for more information: http://www.eturbonews.com/27853/fabulous-kilimanjaro-marathon-kicks-decade-history. And, if you're thinking about running a marathon, you may want to consider the Kilimanjaro Marathon.

Climb Kilimanjaro Barefoot

In October I climbed Kilimanjaro with 13 amazing women. It was a journey with vivid memories including a summit climb that was so cold my fingers and toes were numb even with several layers of gloves and socks and of course sturdy boots. So when I read an article about climbing Kilimanjaro barefoot, it made me shiver at the thought. And, of course, I wanted to share it with you...enjoy!  Climbing Expedition Attains Summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro - Barefooted!

Thanks to Don and Karen for sharing this amazing article with me!

New Year's Resolution

Last year I did something I thought I’d never do. You know what I’m talking about. Those bucket list items we talk about doing some day, but too often never pursue beyond writing them on the list. Well, last year I finally stopped talking and actually did something. I climbed Kilimanjaro. And it was amazing!

Is Kilimanjaro on your list? Well, stop talking about climbing and start doing something to make it happen. Go to www.ClimbUpSoKidsCanGrowUp.com and click on Climb Kilimanjaro. You won’t regret it.

Self-Directed Events

In 2012, the American Foundation for Children with AIDS is hosting some events - Climb Up: Kilimanjaro, 5K and a Motorcycle Charity Ride. These events are fun and raise money for AFCA's programs. The problem with these events is that for many of you they are too far from your home for you to participate and/or the event is an activity that doesn't capture your interest. Don't let that stop you from getting involved and raising funds and awareness for AFCA!

If you go to www.ClimbUpSoKidsCanGrowUp.com and click on "Climb Up Events," you will find information that will guide you through creating your own Self-Directed Event. For example, you could run a 5K in your town and ask people to sponsor you. You could run alone or invite others to join you and raise funds too. If you prefer cycling, swimming, soccer, hockey, lacrosse, etc., then make that activity your event. Lots of information is on the website, but feel free to contact climbup@AFCAids.org for further assistance.

Self-Directed Events can be loads of fun as you add an extra layer of purpose and meaning to something you already love. Go ahead, give it a try!

P.S. You can promote your self-directed event through FirstGiving.com or CrowdRise.com. Just be sure to choose the American Foundation for Children with AIDS as your charity.

Taking the Rotary to Kilimanjaro

Rotary International has created a worldwide network of community leaders who are committed to conducting business with high ethical standards and serving their communities through humanitarian service. They have worked tirelessly to combat polio around the world and as a result the incidence of polio has dropped significantly. Today, the Lebanon Rotary opened their doors to the American Foundation for Children with AIDS.

Betsy Dorsey, Steph Warlow and Shelly Hitz spoke about their personal experiences climbing Kilimanjaro as well as the reason they are involved with the American Foundation for Children with AIDS. Though their stories and involvement with AFCA are unique to the person, the common theme is that they climbed Kilimanjaro and volunteer with AFCA because with AFCA they can make a difference in the lives of children with HIV/AIDS.

At the end of the day, whether you work with Rotary International or the American Foundation for Children with AIDS, if each of us choose to do something positive for someone else, it's a good day. Thanks Lebanon Rotary for joining with the American Foundation for Children with AIDS to make this a good day!

2012 Kilimanjaro Teams Forming

It's official! We are beginning to register climbers for the 2012 Climb Up: Kilimanaro teams. We have climbers registered to climb in July and August. These teams will be co-ed. A women's only team is being assembled to climb Sept 29-Oct 10. If you are interested in more information about the climbs and teams, or would like an invitation to an informational meeting being planned for early January, email tweaver@AFCAids.org.

Climb Up: Kilimanjaro is more than just climbing a mountain. It's a journey to discover your potential, a potential that goes beyond your mind and body. It's your potential to touch and change lives around the world. Climb the mountain. Change your world.

Climb Up: Kilimanjaro Goes to 5th Grade

Soon after I returned from climbing Kilimanjaro, I received a phone call from my 10 year old niece, Joy. “Aunt Shelly, will you come speak to my class at school about your climb?” Without hesitating I said, “Yes!” So, last Friday I laced up my boots, strapped on my daypack and hiked into Mrs. Darvin’s 5^th grade classroom at Somerset Intermediate School in North Plainfield, NJ.

I had a great time telling the students about my climb, showing them pictures, explaining the hiking gear, telling them about climbing to help children with AIDS, and answering their questions. I think you’ll enjoy some of their questions as well as the answers.

Jenna asked, “How old was the oldest person to climb the mountain?”

According to the Guinness Book of World Records, Carl Haupt, age 79, is the oldest person to climb Kilimanjaro. However, in 2010, George Solt, age 82, and Bernice Buum, age 83, both summited. If their climbs are verified, they will become the oldest man and woman to have climbed Kilimanjaro.

 

Jerifer asked, “Were there any living things there?”

No animals can live above a certain elevation. We did see birds in every zone from the Alpine Desert Zone and lower. We saw mice in the Alpine Moorland Zone and monkeys in the Tropical Forest.

 

Sefane asked, “How long is the trip to Africa?”

Our flight to Africa was about 13 hours. Our flight home was 17.5 hours because we stopped in Mombasa, Kenya and Rome, Italy.

 

Nataly asked, “Did you feel a change of pressure when you got to the top of Kilimanjaro?”

I did feel a change in air pressure at various times along the journey up and down Kilimanjaro as my ears would pop.

Jasmine asked, “Was it hard to breathe up on the mountain?”

Yes. At the top of Kilimanjaro, we moved at a pace that was slower than normal, yet we needed to breathe more deeply than normal to get enough oxygen. Some describe it like breathing through a straw.

Alveiry asked, “Did you see the three cones named, Mawenzi, Shira and Kibo?”

Honestly, I should have studied more before I climbed Kilimanjaro because I didn’t know there were three cones until I started preparing to visit your class. L But, I definitely saw Kibo and Kibo’s crater.

 

Steve asked, “When was Mt Kilimanjaro discovered?”

Kilimanjaro has been around a long time, but for many years the people living near Kilimanjaro were fearful of the mountain so they never attempted to climb it. On October 6, 1889, Hans Meyer and Ludwig Purtscheller were the first to summit Kibo.

 

Demetrius asked, “When you got tired of climbing, did you stop and rest or keep going?”

We took breaks every two hours. This allowed us to drink water, eat a snack and go to the bathroom as well as rest. On summit day, we took a break every hour until we reached the summit. These breaks were very short so that we did not get too cold.

 

Anthony asked, “How and when was Kilimanjaro formed?”

Kilimanjaro is a volcano so it was formed as it erupted and layer upon layer of lava formed the mountain. It’s difficult to know when Kilimanjaro was formed. Some believe it formed a million years ago. Others believe it formed when God created the earth approximately 10,000 years ago.

Joy asked, “Did you feel little on such a big mountain?”

I love this question! I can’t say I felt little because the mountain was so big. I do remember thinking that God is incredibly creative because the mountain around me was filled with such beauty and views I’d never seen before.

 

Kevin asked, “How many mountains did you climb in your mountain climbing career?”

One. Kilimanjaro. It has been a very short career. J

 

Christopher asked, “How many people climbed this mountain?”

Every year approximately 20,000 attempt to reach the summit of Kilimanjaro.

 Maria – Maria gave several facts that I thought were interesting enough to include here.

    1.       Coffee is grown on the lower slopes of Kilimanjaro.
           Simon Mtuy, the owner of our guide company, grows coffee on his farm. He showed us the
            process of making coffee and this is included in the presentation at
            http://portal.sliderocket.com/BCCTL/Kili_Women2011. We drank his coffee every day and it
            was very good. It does taste different than much of the coffee in our grocery stores because
            that coffee is often grown in Colombia.
    2.       People die each year trying to climb Kilimanjaro.
           Because so many people now climb Kilimanjaro each year, it can be easy to forget that people
            still die on this mountain. The most common reasons for death include falls and hypothermia.
            Most deaths are from hypothermia and affect the porters (Tanzanians who carry gear up and
            down the mountain). Our guide company is a member of the Kilimanjaro Porters Assistance
            Program and they are committed to providing adequate food, shelter, gear and wages to their
            guides and porters. The guides are also trained to address mountain illnesses and apply first
            aid. These factors increase safety for anyone climbing with our guide company.
 

Thank you to Mrs. Darvin and her 5^th graders for inviting me share my Kilimanjaro experience!