Link to Photos/Video... Enjoy!

http://picasaweb.google.com/pbs324/Kilimanjaro2010?authkey=Gv1sRgCIqttr373MDYZg&feat=directlink

Mbahe Farm and Cottages

The waterfalls on the farm

Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro was an experience like none other. The pictures only tell part of a story that has inspired me to live life to its fullest - even more so than I did before. The ascent was intense and the decsent was knee aching, but I want to thank Vanessa for asking and encouraging me to climb the mountain. I would always watch people on TV climbing mountains, but never thought that I would be one of those people. Perhaps I will attempt another, but for now I am just happy to be home.

Till next time,
Kelly

The Descent

After hiking from the summit down to Barafu, the downhill knee binder began. We continued on the next day to Mweka camp where we were able to take a hot bucket bath. Thank goodness for those Salonpas thingys you put on your knees for arthritis - those helped me continue on the third day of walking/running downhill.
I woke up on the 31st of August feeling good! With a smile on my face infact because I was able to use my lungs to blow up my pillow finally, lol. We ate breakfast and started walking down the long mud-packed trail to Mweka Gate. A long downhill trek through the end of the Heather/Mooreland into the thick, lush rainforest/jungle. I like to move fast downhill so my knees won't hurt. Every once in awhile I would run - just like the porters. It made the time pass quicker (3 hours of walking). I was alone at times; it was peaceful, yet scary. At one point I ran into some little kids who were asking for chocolate, so I gave them my gloves and some shillings instead. They would help the porters if they were having trouble carrying their loads. I mean these little kids (shorter than I) were carrying at least 3 times their little body weight, maybe even 4 times as much. Amazing!
Moving through the jungle we saw Colobus Monkey's again - we starred each other down this time, but they won.
Finally we reach the Mweka Gate! As usual our crew had a hot lunch prepared - thinking back I guess we can be considered a bit posh like the Europeans called us at the beginning of our adventure - no one else had a crew setting up lunch with a lunch table, table cloth, silverware, etc. I guess you could say Vanessa and I were blessed, more than posh, to have had such a wonderful crew. Hey, they helped to keep my spirits up when I was illin and sang me up to the top of Mount Kilimanjaro.

(Pictures to come soon)
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The Descent

After hiking from the summit down to Barafu, the downhill knee binder began. We continued on the next day to Mweka camp where we were able to take a hot bucket bath. Thank goodness for those Salonpas thingys you put on your knees for arthritis - those helped me continue on the third day of walking/running downhill.
I woke up on the 31st of August feeling good! With a smile on my face infact because I was able to use my lungs to blow up my pillow finally, lol. We ate breakfast and started walking down the long mud-packed trail to Mweka Gate. A long downhill trek through the end of the Heather/Mooreland into the thick, lush rainforest/jungle. I like to move fast downhill so my knees won't hurt. Every once in awhile I would run - just like the porters. It made the time pass quicker (3 hours of walking). I was alone at times; it was peaceful, yet scary. At one point I ran into some little kids who were asking for chocolate, so I gave them my gloves and some shillings instead. They would help the porters if they were having trouble carrying their loads. I mean these little kids (shorter than I) were carrying at least 3 times their little body weight, maybe even 4 times as much. Amazing!
Moving through the jungle we saw Colobus Monkey's again - we starred each other down this time, but they won.
Finally we reach the Mweka Gate! As usual our crew had a hot lunch prepared - thinking back I guess we can be considered a bit posh like the Europeans called us at the beginning of our adventure - no one else had a crew setting up lunch with a lunch table, table cloth, silverware, etc. I guess you could say Vanessa and I were blessed, more than posh, to have had such a wonderful crew. Hey, they helped to keep my spirits up when I was illin and sang me up to the top of Mount Kilimanjaro.

(Pictures to come soon)
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Shira 2 Camp

This was the day before my bout of AMS at 12,700 feet.
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The Climb

Last Friday I suffered a massive headache known as AMS (acute mountain sickness). It is usually called altitude sickness. I had only been to an altitude of just over 11,000ft before and that was while snowboarding and using a ski-lift... Not walking. Being at 15,000 ft is no joke! I had to take a diamox to fight the effects of altitude sickness and it was only because we were staying at Lava Tower two nights that I was able to recover.
When we arrived at Arrow Glacier I felt like I had already made it to a new milestone, but I had one more notch to attain in my belt. That night at Arrow Glacier Vanessa told me about the infamous American climbers who parished in 2006 in a rockslide on this side of the mountain. And sure enough that night there was a major rockslide. Vanessa asked me what the noise was in the pitch black of night and I said it sounded like a rockslide, but if the ground wasn't shaking we are ok. My guess was confirmed the next day by Ayumwi. The wind whapped and whapped that night.
The next morning we awoke at 5:15am to prepare ourselves for the toughest roughest route up the mountain. We got our packs ready, I took my diamox, ate breakfast, took vitals, put warm water in our bottles and put them upside down to avoid the freezing at the lip. The wind was still blowing (whapp!!), I gave myself the sign of the cross and we began climbing at 6am-up the jagged rocks that were probably the demise of the climbers in 2006. I thought to myself, "God help us." Every step was a step closer to the top. Pole' Pole' I had to take two seconds between each step - Vanessa was way ahead of me. I was feeling a little slow and breathing heavy-another symptom of AMS, but I figured I could go at whatever pace I needed to go to reach the summit. Finally a break came-maji maji (more water). I was so freaked out about this massive climb that still lay ahead- I did not want to have to worry about having to go to the bathroom too. No worries though, the shear adrenaline, cold, and rock walls that awaited kept me from thinking anything bathroom-wise. Continuing on we got to the first wall of rock, then another and another. It felt like the mountain got taller and taller with each step. About halfway up Vanessa had a panic attack because of our past, present, and future cliffhanger moments. This was one serious climb. I told Nessa that this was not the time to freak out!. The porters were singing us up the mountain and passing us by. We took another break and Ayumwi realized that we were not in a good spot - a shear and fractured mass of rock was above us - time to go! We were free-climbing from 15,981 ft to 18,783 ft. Nessa in her freakout moment screamed, " we should be roped in and harnessed!" To which I replied, "No! We don't, we're already halfway there!" Pole' Pole' (slowly slowly) up the shear rock-hands stick in the fractures to pull myself up. God get me up this mountain rock wall I kept thinking. We finally make it up at 1pm - 7 hours later!! The view extinguished my exhaustion - we still had 553 ft to go. This was Crater Camp.
Stopping for lunch was awesome! Our porters had the mess tent set up and the bathroom tent. Our lunch was my favorite! Grilled Cheese with tomato, green onion, banana and fried with Blue Bonnet butter-mmmmmmm! Nessa and I always had our appetite, that is why we think our crew liked us. Most trekkers loose their appetite the higher in altitude they go. When I was feeling bad I still managed to eat - very slowly so as not to vomit, but I still ate.
After lunch we continued up the rest of the mountain to the summit. Pole' Pole' we reached the top and yet we still had another walk to the summit post. I was enthralled with the view that my steps to the post were fumbling yet steady.
ARRIVAL!!! We made it to the summit at 3pm. I said some prayers, took some photos/video, left my mark (bathroom break, sorry Kili), and was ready to go.
Jackson (our other guide) and I took off to Barafu Camp in a sort of snowboarder meets dirt in heavy duty boots - It was an awesome ride/run down the mountain. We left Vanessa, David, and Ayumwi in the dust - literally. We arrived at Barafu an hour before them (our porters as usual had everything set up). I was able to give myself a wet-nap bath and change out of my dust clothes.
We went up one side of the mountain and down the other!

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We have made it to the mountain top!! at about 5am Cali time-that is about 3pm here- Praise the Lord!! 19,341ft! OMG! The glaciers are magnificant! We ar

g me is the rock slides and the wind. God Bless.
Love Kelly

e clouds come). We will skip our stay in the crater tomorrow night as originally planned and attempt to summit tomorrow. The only thing that is concernin

Well folks, I woke up feeling grand. I have had 3 diamox thus far and by the grace of God we trekked it to Arrow Glacier 16,000 and some change high. I a

? meaning slowly. I have only been able to make a portion of the way. We will see how I am this evening after my second diamox. Till next time :)

? have made it this far! Vanessa is feeling good, she continued on for our day hike to Arrow Glacier. I, on the other hand, am taking things pole' pole',

? We are at 15,230 feet at the place known as the Lava Tower. I had to take my diomox this morning because of possible altitude sickness. I am just glad to

v I go into our dinning tent. Today for lunch they made us grilled cheese sandwiches that had scallion and tomato in them. That was paired with cucumber so

v 12,700 ft

We have made it to Shira 2 Camp. It is cold up here, but all the layers help. The food is spectacular! My worries about the cold subside when

12,700 ft

We have made it to Shira 2 Camp. It is cold up here, but all the layers help. The food is spectacular! My worries about the cold subside when I go into our dinning tent. Today for lunch they made us grilled cheese sandwiches that had scallion and tomato in them. That was paired with cucumber soup. I will try to send a picture. In order to get cell service I have to stand on a rock on the outskirts of camp, this is amazing!
Love Kelly
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On Our Way Today

We start our trek to the top of Kilimanjaro in the next couple of hours. First we have about a 2 hour drive through the national forest and then on into the national park that encloses Kilimanjaro. Before we can enter the park we are required to weigh all our items. No person is allowed to carry over 25kgs, that is about 55lbs. I already had to put my sleeping bag in Vanessa's porters bag because my duffle is a tad heavy. I have re-packed it though, so it may be a little lighter... Not!
Our hike today will be about 1.5 hours and we will be staying at Big Tree Camp. I wonder what wild noises we will hear tonight; last night it was the bats making their little whistles and dropping food on the tin roof, which didn't bother me, but it kept Vanessa up.

Hopefully I will have service so I can post a picture when we get to our first stop.

Love, K
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We Feasted

The spread that the Simba Farm fed us tonight was outstanding! Everything but my prawns came from the farm/garden. As you can see we ate till our hearts content! We will wake at around 8am to get the day started, then head up the mountain to our starting point in the land rover. The porters know where all the cell phone hotspots are on the mountain, so I will try to keep in touch as much as possible.

Keep us in your prayers,
Kelly
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We've Got Lizards!!

We are at this beautiful colonial 6000 acre farm! They grow everything from lettuce to cauliflower here. Vanessa and I have our own separate rooms in which she states is a, "white peoples home in Africa," and I reply, "they are actually Dutch." It is just like you see in the movies. In the picture I am sitting next to the pool, I have enjoyed my glass of white wine with my lunch and I am ready to nap in the sun. We will take a hike around 4:30 before dinner to go see the Colobus Monkey's.
My lizards reference: I went to the bathroom (in my room with a hotwater shower!!) and when I went to flush the toliet a lizard decided to greet me on the toilet bowl. How lovely :)
Cheers!
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Vitals

I know I mentioned this earlier, but I wanted to post a picture of what takes place during vitals check. We check our oxygen (my oxygen has been averaging about 99%-98% which they say is the best they have ever seen, yeah!) and our heart rate (I avg about 65-73). After those we check tidal (the breaths you take in a minute). This picture is of Vanessa taking her vitals.
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Taking A Stroll

We took our hike today through the Guatemala Grass, yes Guatemala!! (Hi Lidia-shout to you) to see the waterfalls behind the farm. Gorgeous!
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Lunch

We are having Fritata with an Avocado Salad. Mmm mmm mmm! Tres Magnificant.
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Gear Check

Check check double check! Today we did our gear check to make sure we had all the necessary items. Vanessa and I are ready to pack everything and get it prepared for departure to the Simba Farm tomorrow. The Farm is on the Western Approach of the mountain where we will start our official climb Monday! So exciting! Peace and Love
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Good Morning Chagga People

I hope this picture is clear because I want you to see what I wake up to every morning since being here. This evenings sleep was a little more sporatic, but I am still getting used to the time. Intermittent sleep is still worth it if I wake up to this everyday. Good night to you for now and good morning to me :)
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No Longer A Mazungu

Well folks, I am officially Chagga! We visited Simon Mtuy's parents place on the farm and it was magnificant! His dad told me I looked like his daughter and he took out a photo of her and sure enough, we looked alike. :) That is so cool! So in Uganda I was told I was from the Mamba Klan and in Tanzania I am Chagga.
Love yall!
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Officially Beginning Monday

Jambo everyone! I have attached a photo of places we may pass on our climb. We will start our Lemosho Route on Monday and we are leaving for the Simba Farm on Sunday. So we have one more day to chill at 6200ft at the Mbahe Cottages. This place is so beautiful! I can't wait to post other pictures I have taken with my camera. The pictures you have been seeing are from my cell phone. We are far from computers so I am unable to upload photos like I did from Uganda. Till next time.
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Mary J Blige

We are on a long walk on the Chagga land. We are hiking through the settlement zones and learning about the agriculture when all of a sudden from nowhere one of the little mud huts in the back starts bumping Mary J on the radio! I'm lovin it.
Love K
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The Most Important Thing

I said to Vanessa, "oh no, I can't forget that." And she replied, "oh what, your malaria medication?" To which I replied, no, my doo-rag, forget the malaria medication, I have to have my hair looking right."
There are things that provide normalcy in situations such as these, climbing a mountain, etc. We have to find comfort somewhere, lol.
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Obama Love

Had to take a picture of the Obama support network :)
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Today's Lunch

Delicious soup, slices of cheese, and toast. I forgot to mention that it is a bit chilly.
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I Have Missed You Africa

As you already know, I arrived yesterday to Tanzania. I am awaiting the arrival of Vanessa today and will go with Joseph to receive her from the airport.
There are so many things that I am remembering from my first travels to Africa in the country of Uganda. Things are very similar here in Northern Tanzania. While in Uganda, Lynn took me to visit her host family. (You may recall the name Momma Diana). Momma Diana gave me a goat skinned drum and I was told that with the drum I would be able to mobilize people to come to Africa just like Lynn mobilized me (thanks Lynn). That drum is sitting in our house now and I am back and this time Vanessa is coming to Africa. She might have motivated me to come and take on the challenge of climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, but she is coming to Africa.
I am staying at the Mbahe cottages and farm with the Chagga People. The Chagga is the local tribe.
Today has been very exciting! In the morning they check your vitals (blood pressure, oxygen, heart rate, tidal rhythm-aka how many breaths you take in a minute, etc.); in fact every morning and evening they will check our vitals. Fernando (the chef) made breakfast and after breakfast Ayume took me for a long walk through the village. We visited the school and I got to meet the teachers there and greet the students.
My new words (and thank you Jamillah for the jumpstart on Swahili) are: Habari yako or Shikammo - how are you, Mizuri or Marahaba - I am fine or good. Dada is sister and kaka is brother (sorry Sean, lol).
Well lunch is almost ready, so I will post again later in the evening. I have some great pictures from the walk today.

Kel
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Yall, this place is awesome! I am enjoying sitting next to the fire with Ayumwi, drinking a cup of tea and awaiting a 3, yes three course meal!
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Arrival!

I have arrived and The Mountain is peaking through the clouds. I am glad to be on the ground after 24hours in the air. I will let you know if I have service at the cottage I will be staying at for the next few nights. Until then... Peace Out! Love K
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I have been craving GOAT for about the past 3 years! OMG and finally, I got some thanks to Joseph! Mmm mmm good! The kind of good where there is no silverware and all you have is your fingers to lick the remnants from!
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Embarking on a New Adventure

Hello Everyone!

I will be heading to Tanzania tonight! Going to Africa for the second time is BIG because this time I will be climbing Mount Kilimanjaro. My friend Vanessa suggested that we do something big for our 30th birthday's and what bigger than climbing the highest freestanding mountain and the 4th highest mountain in the world! God willing we will make it to the top by next week and I will be blogging about our adventures as long as I have internet on my phone. So stick with us as we take on the challenge of a lifetime... Only 19,340 feet to go!

Love,
Kelly