Volunteering at the Orphanages

More pictures!!

Volunteering at the Orphanages

Hey Everyone!!

We just got back from a 3 day volunteer trip to Dar-Ul-Muslimeen Orphanage in Morogoro, Tanzania. The kids were incredible.. they wanted me to personally thank each and everyone who contributed towards our fundraising. The money we have raised is being used towards providing basic health-care, school stationary, food & nutritional supplies, & school fees.

We'll be in town for a-few days before going to another, more impoverished orphanage to supply additional nutritional and school supplies.

Here are a few pictures and thank-you to each and everyone for coming through.

God Bless!!!

Day 5 & 6 - Bagging Kili, and back down to Mweka.

June 30th & July 1st

After barely getting two and a half hours of sleep at Barafu camp, we were woken-up at 11:30 PM by our guide Sinai for tea and biscuits. It was freezing cold and the wind was beating against our tent wall with prodigious strength.

Each of us wore five upper layers (thermals, t-shirt, fleece, windproof jacket, and an outer snow/waterproof jacket) and three layers of pants (fleece, wind/waterproof pants, hiking pants), a beanie, a balaclava, and snow gloves. We were now armored for battle...or at least we thought we were! Putting on your boots at midnight, while 4000 Meters high, in the freezing cold is a mission on its own.

Finally at 12:40 AM, we were slowly making our way northbound towards Rebmann Glacier and Stella Point. A brilliant, bright full-moon illuminated our mountain path. I could trace out the climbing trail ahead by the series of headlamps darting the trail from earlier risers. We reached Stella Point at around 5:15 AM-for alot of people, this was a far as they could can go although Uhuru Peak is only 45 min ahead.

Fighting sleep, cold, hunger, and exhaustion we pressed further now walking on the precipitous Rebmann Glacier. The last 20 min before reaching the summit, your trudging past the massive Southern Icefields and massive 30 even 40 feet high glacial walls to your left. We arrived at Uhuru Peak at 6:00 AM...just in time to witness an incredible sunrise from the "roof of Africa." We posed for afew summit pictures and after 5 min of catching our breath and lavishing in the moment, we were quickly making our way back down. The downhill is fast but it take a big toll on your feet and your backside..lol!

It took us 3 1/2 hrs to get back to Barafu Camp...now that's cursing. The sun was overhead and beating us down!!! After falling, and sliding, and stumbling, and rolling we finally stumbled back into Barafu Base Camp at around 11 AM. Our cooks had prepared a refreshing glass of Pineapple juice that tasted heavenly. A pounding headache and exhaustion forced me to crash for about 2 hrs inside our camp. I had no desire to eat or talk to anyone.

We left Barafu Camp at 2 PM now headed towards Mweka Camp at 3100 Meters, for our last night. Slowly the altitude symptoms began to dissipate and I was regaining my voracious appetite. We arrived Mweka Camp - our last campsite on Kilimanjaro - at around 5 PM. The way down was really gratifying. We were quickly transitioning from the Frozen Tundra Ecosystem to Moonscape to shrubs and stunted tree growth vegetation at Mweka.

The next day was a breeze. We woke-up early and after a big breakfast, we left Mweka Camp for the exit at Mweka Gate...It took us less than 2 hrs as we passed through the dense Rainforest jungle...Kilimanjaro's very last ecosystem. It's a beautiful jungle hike but your too excited to make it to the end and receive your certificate to really appreciate it.

We jumped into our outfitters vehicle waiting at Mweka gate and within 40 min, we were back at our lodge in Moshi Town. Modern day comforts like a hot shower, warm food and a comfortable bed can never really be sincerely appreciated until you come back from a 6 day Kili Climb.

It was our first day back to civilization and I was already missing Kilimanjaro. Can't wait come back for a second climb via the 10 day lemosho Route!!

Day 4-"The Mountains are Calling..."

Tuesday June 29th, 2010

Elevation Gain: 3986 Meters to 4662 Meters

Woke up to a beautiful mountain sunrise at Barranco. After a big, hearty breakfast, we had everything packed and were immediately climbing the vertical Barranco Wall. Some sections required hauling your self up with both hands and careful footwork on ledges. Kilimanjaro's Southern Icefield glaciers-Heim, Kersten and Decken-have been bordering us to the left.

Everyones spirits are positive as we've finally arrived at Barafu Base camp. The time is about 4:30 PM and and the temp is freezing up here. The wind chill factor make it difficult to stand outside for long. I've still got mild altitude sickness but am generally feeling alot better today.

We've got to eat and rest-up for the final summit push tonight. Dinner will be served at 6PM. We'll then be woken up at 11:30 PM for tea and biscuits/cookies and then, it's game time as we make for the Kibo Summit at midnight with the aid of headlamps and/or flashlights. The plan is to reach Uhuru peak by sunrise, take pics and then make it back here by 1 PM, rest for about 2 hrs, before proceeding further down to Mweka Camp for the last night. Roughly 14 hrs of hiking.

That's all for now...keep us in your thoughts and prayers. I'll update the blog tomorrow or day after.

"The Mountains are now calling and I must go."

John Muir

Day 3- Trek High, Sleep Low

Monday June 28th, 2010.

Left Shira Caves at 8:45 AM this morning and arrived at Barranco by 4:30 PM. Elevation change: 3839 Meters to 3986 Meters.

Oh boy...today's been rough!! The first half of the day involved a steady climbing up to 4500 Meters where we stopped for lunch. Minhaal went further up to Lava Tower at 4627 Meters. The trail then plateaus for about 30 min before dropping south westwards towards Barranco.

I've developed altitude sickness overnight, and a weak stomach won't let me hold-in any kind of nourishment. It's completely normal and should subside eventually (within a day or so) so I'm not too worried.

We've trekked roughly 10 Km today, steadily moving from Kilimanjaro's western slope towards its southern slope. Its been a steady climb through the dry, boulder-strewn Shira Plateau. The vegetation has significantly declined to resemble the moon's landscape. The weathers been great allowing for clear views of the summit. Got my first taste of the real Kilimanjaro Spring water on our way down to Barranco... no need for the Gatorade shots anymore!!

Tomorrow's hike to Barafu kicks-off with a near vertical scramble up the Great Barranco Wall. Getting on all fours for this climb should be fun...I'm looking forward to it!!

Day 2- Destination Shira

Sunday, June 27th 2010

Left Machame Camp at 9 AM this morning; arrived at Shira Caves by 2 PM. Elevation change: from 3021 Meters to 3839 Meters.

Experienced our first change in vegetation today as the Rainforest made way for stunted, twisted heather bushes. The morning climb, headed north, was rocky & steep as we ascended towards the Shira Plateau. Trekking was a bit slow due to the line of porters (carrying 30Kg plus) already ahead of us. Manged to get our first World-Cup update from a porter ecstatic by Ghana's victory over the U.S. The good news seems to provide an adrenaline boost and makes for interesting climbing conversation.

Morning mist and dense cloud cover has been impeding our view of the Machame Valley, Last nights campsite, and the Tanzanian plains below. A slightly intense climb finally brought us to the days Lunch Stop. Gigantic, hybrid ravens soar the skies here!!

We've arrived safely at Shira Caves- our campsite for the day. The time is 4 PM and the weather is pleasant, allowing clear view of the Kilimanjaro summit. No altitude problems for either of us so far. Mt. Meru is visible to the west, justing out over the horizon and Kilimanjaro's characteristic Obsidian rocks dominates the Shira Plateau ground cover.

I've busted out the GPS and am off to explore the volcanic Shira Caves before sunset. I'll upload pictures tonight. Tomorrows hike is to Barranco Campsite.

Thanks for yr support and for following our blog!!!

DAY 1- Trekking The Kili Tropical Rainforest

Saturday, June 26th 2010

Today has been a beautiful day! We cleared entrance protocol at 11:30 AM at Machame Gate (altitude: 1800m) and have spent all afternoon hiking through the exotic and lush Machame Rainforest. Got our first sighting of the indigenous Blue Monkeys ! Arrived at our dest. for the night Machame campsite (alt: 3000m) at 7:00 PM.

After a sumptuous spaghetti dinner, we were finally rewarded with our first clear view of the Kibo Summit thanks to a transient opening in the clouds and a brightly waxing moon phase. The stars seem to be aligned in the heavens.

Looks like there's quite a-bit of ice at the summit. Tomorrow's going to be a long days hike to Shira Caves and the temp. is dipping fast so I'm going to call it a night!

more blogging possible tomorrow!