Seven days ago, 25 members of the Kilimanjaro Rocks! Team assembled at the gates to Mt Kilimanjaro. Today ALL of the 25 climbed to the summit of Uhuru (which means freedom in Swahili) – the peak of Mt Kilimanjaro. We walked through the gates, some as friends, some as strangers, and today, we summited as kaka’s and dada’s (brothers and sisters in Swahili). It’s a journey that none of us will ever forget. Nor will we forget the bounds that we forged.

Veterans Mike Peters and Christine Alan, continued their Climb Back from Cancer and new hero Kelly Carpenter joined us with her grace and dignity in her own recent fight. Each one of the 25 had their own story that makes Love Hope Strength events like this highly emotionally charged and deeply rewarding and brings together real people, with real stories, and offers hope in tangible projects to help people fighting this terrible disease in less fortunate parts of the world.

Since we didn’t get to update our journal yesterday – we were at too high an altitude for computers, we’ll start at our Sunday morning 3:30 am wakeup call.

The porters awoke us to freezing temperatures in the black of night. On Sunday, we will hike 2,500 vertical feet, which would be quite a challenge from sea level, let alone, starting at 16,000 feet. The camp is feeling the effects of altitude sickness. We are tired and cold. We have lost our appetites. We have headaches. We can barely sleep. We are sluggish.

Yet, we assembled and started our seven-hour hike up the steepest of steep hills in the darkness. We trekked up lava rock walls. We crawled over boulders. We wore helmets to avoid falling rocks. This was our most technically challenging day. Since it was Sunday, and as the porters passed us, they sang us gospel songs in Swahili.

When we finally reached the top of the glacier camp at 18,500 feet, the porters were singing and cheering us on. It was quite the accomplishment for all 25 of us to reach the camp. Emotions were high, we were hugging, crying, and celebrating our victory.

James took us all to the glacier – to kiss the glacier – a Kilimanjaro tradition. The sight was beautiful and majestic. By 2020, the glaciers won’t exist. We took a group picture at the glacier, trekkers and porters, in celebration of our victory.

James wouldn’t let us head straight to bed, as we all wanted, he warned of migraines and altitude sickness. We walked around in a fog, Slim Jim said “Nobody told me it was going to be like this”. Temperatures were well below freezing. Our water pump froze, but our spirits were high, we had almost made it!!!

Today, Summit day, we again awoke at 3.30am to freezing temperatures, our tents were covered in snow, and we were freezing, freezing cold. There aren’t words to describe the cold. We gathered in the mess tent in silence. The affects of the altitude and the cold had set in. Robin Wilson quietly says, “I’ve never wanted to get anything over more than this.”

At 5am, we set out for the summit in the darkness with the Full Moon, Jupiter, and Mars to guide our way. The trek was slow, breathing at 18,500+ feet was difficult. But the sun rose in the east, and warmed our bodies (we could finally feel our toes) and our souls.

The summit was freezing, but we were elated in our victory. All 25 of us (Glenn Tilbrook with a nasty cough and Carrie Lyn with severe altitude sickness) made the summit. Big Hugs all around, trekkers and porters, celebrating our summit.

Mike, Nick, Robin, Slim Jim, and Brien joined in a rousing chorus of the foundation’s anthem, “Love Hope Strength”. The prayer flags were draped throughout the trekkers and porters and all the while Stash and Owen risked frostbite to capture the moment.

After taking in the incredible views from the roof of Africa, we raced down the mountain. And when we say raced, we mean that we slipped and slided for several hours in a ski-like fashion over rocks and ash to the Barafu Hut. After several wipeouts, we arrived for lunch for much needed sustenance. We cheered the chef for providing us with grilled cheese and tomatoes!!! Then, off again for another several hours of tortuous downhill climbing to camp where for the first time in seven days, beer awaited us. We made it ☺

We’d like to put out a special thank you to the African Environments crew, led by James and Mchili. The 125 guides and porters carried our guitars, gear, shelter, food, latrines, and more importantly lifted our spirits on a daily basis. These brave men always always always had a smile on their face and a kind, encouraging word to say. Each one of us was touched by them, without them, the 25 would have never made it to the top.

All our best to you for love hope and strength,

Team Jersey: Angie Devanney, Ryan Garner and Kay LiCausi

PS. From Angie. George “Wally”, Ryan Paul and Abbey Juia without your love and nightly messages, I would have never summitted Kili (because I left the “Manjaro” at the summit this morning). I can never repay your support.

PS from Ryan, Mom and Dad, thank you for giving me life, showing me love, and making me into the man I am today. I have learned a lot from this trip and to quote Slim Jim “step out of your comfort zone and you we will learn a lot about yourself and humanity. Go Team Kobe.

PS From Kay. To my friends and family – I survived the cold!!! And yes, when we were at 16,000 feet, at the Lava Tower camp, the sun was setting to the west, and we were above the clouds. I felt the magic and presence of my beautiful mom, my energetic dad and my loving brother. It was a beautiful moment and I am so lucky to have had it and shared it with such wonderful people. Xoxo

Updates from the Trekkers

From Nick Harper: Lil and Harve – your messages make my day. Can’t wait to see you. Jackie – NORWICH

From Christine Alan- hope to have cell service and charged battery in a couple of days. Mommy made it! Hardest 2 days ever! Miss you Joseph, Micky & Jack & kudos to Renee! Been talking to all of you all of the time. Can’t wait to see you all. Miss my family! Love you all!!

 

Click on the yellow flags to see where the team is today!