They made it. Our team has returned from their jaunt up the mountain and what a trip it was.
It seems that this trip had some rather poor climbing conditions. Clouds, rain, sleet and snow left everyone and every bit of their gear soggy and chilled. With the departure of the team's motivational speaker, Shawna, paparazzi Sarah had to step up to the plate. It seems Sarah had a newfound fascination with photography combined with motivation techniques usually reserved for those chasing Brittany Spears. Negative comments were met with a bop in the head from one of Sarah's trekking poles. A climber that needed just that right comment to help push a little farther would hear "hippos are inspirational" or "can you move? can you eat? you've got nothing to complain about." It seems the combination of challenging weather and a sensitive leader created the perfect environment for the remaining team members on the mountain as they all summitted.
The entire team reported a positive, life changing and highly emotional experience. They came from very different places, bonded and accomplished a feat that was both harder and more rewarding than any of them expected. We will have to get most of the details from the climbers themselves but can share two interesting facts. First, Jim has become the first person to summit eating nothing but raw food. Yes nuts and fruit can provide the energy needed to make it to the top. For a meat eater like me, it seems a feat worthy of guinness record book. Second, it wasn't until she was standing at 19,300 feet that Anna shared with anyone her severe fear of heights. Apparently standing on the edge of a volcano rim in a snow storm was enough to remind her. The scree slope was unusually treacherous, but the guides and porters were amazing and made sure everyone made it safely down to camp. The next day left only a short 8 hour hike to the mountain gate and the waiting transportation.
That night the team shared a late dinner and appreciated sleeping in a bed for the first time in nearly a week. After a late morning of sleeping in and massaging sore and bruised muscles, the team is heading to Zanzibar for a few days of well deserved rest by the beach.
Well see if they have time to report from Zanzibar. I hear the power is much more reliable there.
It seems that this trip had some rather poor climbing conditions. Clouds, rain, sleet and snow left everyone and every bit of their gear soggy and chilled. With the departure of the team's motivational speaker, Shawna, paparazzi Sarah had to step up to the plate. It seems Sarah had a newfound fascination with photography combined with motivation techniques usually reserved for those chasing Brittany Spears. Negative comments were met with a bop in the head from one of Sarah's trekking poles. A climber that needed just that right comment to help push a little farther would hear "hippos are inspirational" or "can you move? can you eat? you've got nothing to complain about." It seems the combination of challenging weather and a sensitive leader created the perfect environment for the remaining team members on the mountain as they all summitted.
The entire team reported a positive, life changing and highly emotional experience. They came from very different places, bonded and accomplished a feat that was both harder and more rewarding than any of them expected. We will have to get most of the details from the climbers themselves but can share two interesting facts. First, Jim has become the first person to summit eating nothing but raw food. Yes nuts and fruit can provide the energy needed to make it to the top. For a meat eater like me, it seems a feat worthy of guinness record book. Second, it wasn't until she was standing at 19,300 feet that Anna shared with anyone her severe fear of heights. Apparently standing on the edge of a volcano rim in a snow storm was enough to remind her. The scree slope was unusually treacherous, but the guides and porters were amazing and made sure everyone made it safely down to camp. The next day left only a short 8 hour hike to the mountain gate and the waiting transportation.
That night the team shared a late dinner and appreciated sleeping in a bed for the first time in nearly a week. After a late morning of sleeping in and massaging sore and bruised muscles, the team is heading to Zanzibar for a few days of well deserved rest by the beach.
Well see if they have time to report from Zanzibar. I hear the power is much more reliable there.
1 comment:
If you receive this twice - my daughter Melissa Ann will vouch for how un technilogically (a word???) I am. Melissa Ann we are so proud of you and surprised to hear that this was more challenging than the Marathon. Too bad our connection was not too good yesterday - you asked about Quito - yes I did live there for over 30 days - a wonderful city - and YES I did stand on the Equator - While I love you are calling me to update the Family - maybe try Nana - remind her to call me - but she is "very worried" about you and I know would love to hear your voice. The apple does not fall far from the tree. To All Others - Congratulations and Thanks for what you are doing for the children. Love MOM and Kathleen.
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