Faces The Horn of Africa

Faces The Horn of Africa

Melinda on KXAN television

http://www.kxan.com/dpp/news/local/lakeway-woman-climbs-kilimanjaro-

SUMMIT PHOTO!

SUMMIT OF KILIMANJARO

WITH ROTARY FLAGS!!!

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THANKS MELINDA

Summit Recap

Sorry for the delay in getting out an update but the internet access has been non existent for us the last week. Let me go back and tell you about my climb to the roof top of Africa. I will start by telling you briefly about the 2 days before our summit attempt.  We left an area called Shira plateau were we bore witness to one of the most breath taken sunsets of my life. Most of us had eaten and were in our tent when Erich Schlegel began yelling everyone get out of your tents. His exact words were "Get out of your tents trust me latter you will not regret it." We all rushed out and Erich had us line up along some rocks with our arms above our heads standing in a straight line. We were looking out over a cloud bank with Mt. Meru and the sunset in the distance.  It was one of the best photos I have ever seen. Truly poster quality. 

The next morning after breakfast we broke camp and headed up to Lava Tower which is above 15,000 feet. We lounged for a long lunch acclimating as we ate. Everyone felt great as we hung out always going Pole Pole (Slowly, Slowly) We then descended down into a Dr Seuss wonderland called Barranco Valley.  Climb high sleep low was the plan. Barranco Valley is too mystical for words to describe with 20ft Sencio Kilimanjaro plants and the mountain with its glaciers looming high above you. If my climb would of stopped there I would have been happy as this place is so unique and beautiful.

The next morning we started up Barranco wall which about 1000 ft plus ascent which at times had you kind of hanging out over some empty space. I think Tim wasn't to popular for a few moments here and there but we all took it in stride it most definitely kept you focussed.  After a few hours we arrived at Karanga camp  at 14,000 feet which was just a barren camp site when compared with Barranco. The camp remained shrouded in clouds most of the day so we had an early dinner and retired to bed at dark. 

The next day started what would prove to be the longest 24 hours of my life. The morning before our summit attempt  I was feeling great as was most of the team however, Tom Woods had come over to our tent early that morning and reported to Tim that he had a rough night. Tim took his OS (Oxygen Saturation)

and it was not good so the two of them went into the mess tent to see what they could figure out. It did not look good so they agreed to began checking and recording Tom's OS every 30 minutes. Tom had been unable to take Diamox for prevention of AMS (Acute Mountain Sickness) due to a sulphur allergy. After breakfast the team started up a little rise and Tom reported to Tim he was struggling to breath after just a few minutes of climbing. His OS had dropped even further so Robert(our Head Guide), Tim, and Tom had a little conference. I saw Tim give Tom a hug and knew what the conclusion was going to be.  Tom had to go down the mountain to a lower camp and wait for us to descend the next afternoon otherwise he would be risking serious illness. This was by far the lowest point of the trip for me as Tom was truly one of the strongest members of our team. I think we all cried as Tom said goodbye to his family and began to descend down the mountain with one of our guides Emanuel. It was hard thing to watch his family and our team go through the realization that he would not be accompanying us upwards but there was no other possible decision.  Tom had trained for months and was physically strong but AMS is a serious thing with the risk no were near the reward.  Even when he became sick Tom never lost his sense of humor as he prepared to leave I told him that I would bring him a rock from the summit. So after the sudden goodbye the Woods family continued combing up Kilimanjaro bravely lead by Kim. I can only imagine what was going through Tucker's and Katy's mind. We all continued on in silence for about an hour.

We finally reached the high camp in the early afternoon which is called Barfu. It sits at some 15,400 feet above sea level and can best be described as a inhospitable ridge of barren waste land of dark jagged volcanic rock. There is barely enough ground scraped clear for tents to be pitched.

Mice scurry around and crows fly about scavenging for food as the camp goes in and out of damp cold cloud mist. I am thinking too myself what the heck am I doing here. If you had told me a year before I would be standing here you would have been greeted with laughter. But I have a cause and here I am I thought to myself. I can do this.  Every day Tim would tell us something like "Today you can not make the summit, but you can ruin your summit." l had put my time in on the stair climber, working out, in the acclimization tent etc… I finally thought I have a chance to actually do this. We have an early dinner around 5:00 pm and most everyone retires to their tent to get ready for what our head guide keeps calling the morning trip up the mountain to the summit. I watch the moon rise and the sun set at the same time it is beautifully yet scary at the same time. I crawl in my tent were Tim is getting his gear organized and tells me get some rest for the morning will come early. Morning is used loosely up here for our group it meant a 9:30 pm wake up a 10:00 pm coffee and an 10:30 pm departure. That is PM not AM! We would have 7 climbing guides with us which is more than normal but both Tim and Robert wanted have extra just in case some one need to come down the mountain quick. At 10:30pm we all lined up with me up in the front with Timothy and Elissa. Tim would be in the back in his usual place to help encourage anyone with difficulties. He had told me that not to worry if I got in trouble he would be  following right behind to help out. It would turn out that I would not see him for some 8 hours. We slowly began to climb up the mountain towards the summit. If all went well the summit would be ours between 6:30 AM and 7:00 AM. The full moon was so bright you barely needed a head light. 16,000 feet, then through 17,000 feet. Up above I could clearly see the glaciers of Kilimanjaro looming above me and Timothy as we climbed upwards with our guide Lawrence accompany us. The whole time

the same thoughts kept going through my mind if I make it to the top one more family for sure will have clean water in Belize. "I can't stop must keep going up." "I can do this." "Ignore the pain, ignore the cold." " I can do this!"  "I can not let Rotary down." Hour after hour we climbed upwards the air getting thinner and thinner. Each step was an effort and each breath a struggle.

As we climbed the final feet up to 19,000 feet and a place called Stella Point the lower of the two crater rim summits, the sun was beginning to show it's glow through the clouds. Several times I had to yell at Timothy to get his act together as he was wobbling and I didn't want him falling off the mountain. I told our guide Lawrence to hold the boy up and Lawrence kept reassuring me don't worry "Mama you will all make it". Pole Pole we climbed up then suddenly there was no more up in front of me and I could see across the crater. We had made it the crater rim and would get a summit certificate at the very least.  I saw Steve, Tucker, Erich and Molly resting behind a rock. I went over to Molly to give her a hug but instead we just hugged and wept uncontrollably. The feelings were overwhelming, of relief to have made it safely, and joy to have concord the mountain. 

After a good cry I was strangely reinvigorated and we immediately left for the finally 400 feet push up to Uhuru peak the true roof top of Africa. We all headed up and some 45 minutes latter as the sun rose above the clouds and the glaciers of Kilimanjaro I saw the sign that indicated the summit was only I few yards away. I was actually going to make the Summit. I can not tell you the feeling going through my body. It was pure joy and happiness!!! Better yet there standing besides the Summit sign was Elissa the first of our group to reach the top. As I took the final steps to the summit with Timothy now joined by Elissa we all came together hugging and crying tears of joy.  We hugged and kissed some more then posed for some photos. Elissa also took time to spread some of her grandfather's ashes. The view was spectacular but just after just a few minutes it was time for us to begin our descent and less than 50 yards away from the summit we came across Tim climbing up with the Devino's Allen, Sheri, and Shawna. I latter found out he had been with them the last couple of hours quietly encouraging Allen one of his best friends up the mountain. Allen slowly chugged by us with Uhuru peak just yards away and victory firmly in his sight. At that moment all that matter to me was that our family was together at the top of Kilimanjaro as we all hugged and cried some more together. 

In hindsight I cannot begin to describe how hard that last part of the climb to the top Kilimanjaro felt to me. It was truly the hardest thing I have ever done. I will never do it again but I am so glad that I did do it. 

Victory For All!

Congratulations to all of the "Sweet 16" team members that reached the top of the worlds tallest free standing mountain, KILIMINJARO!

More Importantly, Congratulations to everyone who even dared to partake in this monumentous event! I am proud of each and every one of you for even attempting a feat so great. Few people have even tried, and even fewer have accomplished what each and everyone of you have accomplished. Whether you made it to the summit or not, you pushed yourself beyond rediculous,excruciating, and painfull limits and conquered them all! I am humbled and proud of the pain and suffering that each of you went through.

Life takes on a whole new meaning when you break yourself, enjoy it!

Robert

SUMMIT!!!

Success!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

First every one is safre
If you would of told me I would have stood on top of the hightest mountain summit in Africa a year ago I would have told you are crazy!  Let me go back over the lasr 36 hours. We started to high camp 2 days ago. Less than 1 hour into the journey up one of our  strongest members developed Acute Mountain Sickeness and had to head down. We all cried as we said good bye to Tom Woods. Physically he was strong but Tim had been monitoring his Oxygen Saturation and it had become dangrously low and unsafe. We reaced Barfu our highest camp early afternoon. We began the Summit assault at 10;30 PM. I felt good but the climb was so steep and I knew I had 9 hours of solid cliimbing ahead of me. We slowly grinded up the mountain  under the full moon.  Tim was not able to accompnay us as he was in the baackm making sure others were OK. All through the night I climbed I can tell you CHILD BIRTH  is easier! The only thought in my head was a Rotary District Govenor said if I made he would give 100 dollars to my cause . I climbed on for Clean water in my mind ONE family would have clean water if I made it was my montray so sorry for the bad spellingf . But I climbed on and we ccryed at the summit more to come! thanks for your suport!! African keyboard doesn't work well

Next Stop; Summit!

It appears that our crack team of mountain climbers have reached Barafu Camp located at 15,500 feet. Temperatures there can dip down to 15 degrees. This is the last camp before the the Summit. Melinda sent a challenge via text that every rotary president in Ruth Allens District donate $20 to clean water in Belize. I encourage all of Sweet 16's fans and followers to donate to this worthy cause as well.

Wish them luck and God Speed as they head for the Summit.

Way to go Sweet 16!

Robert

News from 15,000 Feet!

Our happy hikers have made it to Branco Valley and to 15,000 feet. This is no easy feat, as trees do not grow past 11,000. It seems that oxygen is necessary to life, but this does not affect our hardened crew, for they have super human abilities developed from hours spent in some mystery tent located at La Hacienda Osburn. Stay tuned as they ascend to altitudes never reached by mere mortals..............

Quote of the day..." Everyone is Strong and the Pictures Loom Amazing. We are Lucky to Have Kind Easy Going Porters!"  Elissa

Be sure to check their progress on the Spot GPS Tracker @

http://share.findmespot.com/shared/faces/viewspots.jsp?glId=0CL5DdbQGzaIsMRoBc0TU8i5SBWGALFln

--Robert--

Upadate From Afar...............

Day 2 Update....The "Sweet 16" Clan is alive and well! The last text intel from Melinda said that they were at 11,100 feet and that everyone was doing well. "The plant life here is amazing and the sun just appeared for the first time", says Melinda. GPS Spot has them moving along at record pace for adventurers of their tremendous stature. Stay tuned for more updates........... Robert

Time to Fly

We are at Dulles airport in DC and are about to fly over the pond. Today our travels have gone well and we should be in Tanzania in around 24hours. We visited the Smithsonian air space museum today. The Enola Gay seats inside of the building which is a very sobering sight. Just another reason to raise awareness for Rotary. Peace, Polio and Clean water are three big goals that Rotary is striving to achieve. Thanks for all the support.  The" Texas Sweet 16" is spread all over the Atlantic the Devino's have flown ahead of us and should be flying out of London as we speak. Molly Cummings should be also arriving ahead of us also via Amsterdam. One benefit of preparing for this trip is that I just feel great.
In that sense the trip has already been a success. Thanks for the messages of support. Also thanks to the Lakeway/Lake Travis Rotary Club the "best Rotary club on the planet"

Love Melinda

Spot GPS Tracker

Our good friend Robert Leonard has loaned his Spot GPS tracker for our Kilimanjaro trip. You can follow us at the attached link. We will start up the mountain Tuesday night Texas time.

Thanks for all the support we are now up to 6 family water filter systems. Hug a Rotarian today!
Let's wipe out dirty drinking water in Belize.

http://share.findmespot.com/shared/faces/viewspots.jsp?glId=0CL5DdbQGzaIsMRoBc0TU8i5SBWGALFln

God Bless
Melinda

Packing and Tapering Down

With just a couple of days left till we leave my packing has reached a frenzy level. Our house looks like an REI store has exploded inside of it. My training has tapered way down as it is time to rest up for the climb. I am excited about getting going and starting the climb. Margarita our dog knows something is going on. She understands one of her favorite friends Barbara will be staying with her to keep her company. Thanks for supporting the Clean Water for Belize campaign.

ESPN RADIO and POLL

I will be talking on ESPN 104.9FM Outdoors America Radio show between 8:30 am to 10:00 am this Sunday. The other guest is Richard Garriott a gentleman whom was one of the handful of space tourist to stay on the Space Station. In addition he has also been down to the Titanic and hunted for meteorites in Antarctica. Imagine little old me on ESPN Radio!
Am I becoming an athlete?  


Poll:


Is Melinda becoming an athlete?


YES


NO


Please vote in comment field.

The Tent

Pictured above is Erich Schlegel, Molly Cummings, Tom and Kim Woods in the tent.
Tim and I have a lot of visitors coming and going which is really cool. The tent can simulate altitudes up to 13,000 feet. The tent is being used nearly 24 hours a day by one of the "Sweet 16".  We are not going to Disney World but to an environment that can be very harsh on ones body. The purpose of the tent is to give our team an advantage of some pre-acclimatization before we start up the mountain.
 Our goal is to be as safe as we can but there really are no guarantees. Besides it looks really nice in the living room.

Love to all
Melinda

Kilimanjaro Expedition only 2 Weeks till we leave.

Happy 4th of July!! I started my day by doing 2,500 feet on the stairclimber. I just walked straight into the pool afterwards clothes and all. I had to cool down. Our Expedition named the "Sweet 16" leaves on the 18th for Tanzania. We will arrive at Kilimanjaro Airport on the 20th then start up the mountain on the 21st. The "Sweet 16' consist of 16 wonderful people who are all training hard and looking forward to a slow climb up the mountain. In addition we could not even attempt without the 35 Porters, Cook, 5 Assistant Guides and our Head Guide John. All together the "Sweet 16" Expedition will consist of nearly 60 people. Expedition member Steve Dailey and I are climbing for the Belize City Rotary's Club Clean Water Project. To see more about Steve's efforts go to http://betterhalfliving.org/    The photo of my new monogramed dufflebag.

More Training

It has been raining non-stop for the last few days here in Texas.  That doesn't stop the training. Have been really hitting the gym and the stairclimber. I use to hate the stairclimber but now it is not so bad. A month ago I did a little stress test on the treadmill. Today I took the stress test again and my heart rate was some 30 beats per minute lower to perform the same task. I am starting to feel stronger and that the summit is actually possible.

It will be great thrill to stand on the summit of Kilimanjaro with my Rotary flag in hand!!  A lot of people have stepped forward with encouragement it is my hope to make them proud.  Rotary does such great things for so many people all over the world.

Acclimatization for Kilimanjaro

Acclimatization

Having a big  day in the "Acclimatization Tent" getting ready for the climb. We have this wonderful tent set up in our living room. We look like lab rats sitting in it. It is funny when someone comes up to the plastic window points and say's "I want that one." The tent is currently set to simulate 13,000 feet of elevation. The tent is in constant use by our expedition team members. You can even play Wii while hanging out  in the tent. The first day I got an "Altitude Headache" after just a couple of hours but now I am doing a lot better. I really want to make it to the summit. Oh by the way the Rotary installation banquet last night was great!

Move over hubby there is a new sheriff in town!

I have taken over Tim's Marathon des Sables blog and will be using it so to keep my family and friends updated on my climb to the summit of Kilimanjaro. We will leaving for Africa on July 18th. I will keep you posted.

Lakeway/Lake Travis Rotary /Shelterbox

Way to go Team we did it. The race is finished but not the mission. Our original goal was to raise enough money to house 10 people after a disaster with Shelterbox kits. We currently have pledges to house 30 people with Shelterbox's kits. So why isn't the mission finished? I think no I know that we have more in us!

I hate to keep moving the finishing line further away but when you signed up for the Marathon des Sables you knew it was going to be longer than imagined. Yet I was so very surprised and humbled by a  generous $1500.00 donation from the Lakeway/Lake Travis Rotary Foundation. I thought we have more in us so I would like to see us get 40 people maybe 50 people sheltered from our efforts. Note we will never meet the people that will benefit from our effort.  The lesson of Karma is strong. Please note just during the short period we were running the MDS Shelterbox deployed to Fiji, Western China, Uganda, and Mexico. Shelter box gives to those who have nothing but the clothes on their back. One day their live is good the next they have nothing. It is very humbling when a 6 year old boy gives up his ice cream money to our cause. Thanks Brogan! Also a sincere thanks to all to those who have given not only money but more so spiritually. I am humbled by it all.

Send a symbolic $1.00 dollar to Lakeway/Lake Travis Rotary Foundation
Lakeway/Lake Travis Rotary Club ~
P.O. Box 341841
Lakeway, TX 78734.

Memo Shelterbox

Stage 3 Marathon des sables Part 1

I had just left checkpoint 2 only stopping long enough to fill up my water bottle and change socks. The last leg had been a bad one for my feet as in out of nowhere 5 blisters have popped up. I blamed it on myself for doing  a bad sock change. The blisters are mainly between the toes and just bothersome. The heat has crept up steadily and is now north of 120 degrees fortunately there is no wind. I would hate to have had some wind cooling me down and miss out on the hottest temperatures of the whole MDS. The ipod is playing in my ears and provides a good distraction to the stunning heat. I start off the leg jogging then walking using a run walk startegy with a ratio of 80% walk and 20% run. That quickly becomes a 99% to 1% run / walk survival mode. On this section there is a lot of support vehicle activity going on with the Doc Trotters medics staying very busy. There are places along the route that a vehicle can get to and with this heat a lot of people are getting zapped. I go through a little grove and pop out the other side to find a Brit standing off to the side looking confused and holding his flare. I quickly jog over to him and inquire what is up? He replies,"I can't get my flare into my pack." I say"No worries I thought you were going to shot the thing. Let me help you" Relived that this guy is not about to pop his flare. I push it down into an outside pocket it is tight but after a struggle it goes in. I pat him on the back and say "Good luck mate" off I go. There is only about 5 miles left in the stage and despite the heat I am going along well. Life throws stuff at you never when it is expected but usually on a Tuesday afternoon out of the blue. I am feeling grand despite my feet's new blister friends. I am thinking just be patient and finish this leg keep enjoying the day. I need a drink so time to hydrate so this heat doesn't take me. I reach back and grab nothing my water bottle is gone.