Greetings from the lap of luxury…. Yes that means indoor plumbing! We’ve all now showered and some have indulged in massages and we barely recognize each other. We’re taking full advantage on this lovely hotel, utilizing bar, pool and laundry services before we set off for safari again in the morning.

We finished our climb this afternoon and bid our porters a very fond farewell. These men were our heroes on our trek. They did everything in their power to get all 25 of us to the summit, and with their positive attitudes, advice and assistance, we succeeded! We said our goodbyes this afternoon set to music and dancing at the gate. It was a perfect celebration to end eight grueling days. Many of us will be forever grateful to the kindness of these strangers.

On a separate note, I thought I’d explain what this trip has meant to me. My purpose for being here is twofold. On a very personal level, successfully completing this trek up the highest freestanding mountain in the world was a huge accomplishment for me. Two years ago, I had a difficult time climbing stairs without my legs giving out on me, as I was in treatment for colon cancer. I endured 6 months of chemotherapy, which included many side effects, many of them I now try to forget (though sleeping at 18,500 feet was not all that unfamiliar for me in regards to nausea and vomiting). I will always remember the feeling of finishing the most difficult climb on the 6th day and the love and support that surrounded me on my own personal journey up the mountain. I thank my fellow trekkers giving me this.

My second reason for being here is what happened yesterday morning. It was my absolute honor to hold the prayer flags on the top of Kilimanjaro with the names of those who have survived cancer and those who have passed on due to this horrific disease. I am an oncology nurse by profession and see on a daily basis what cancer does. I often feel helpless as I watch families forced to say goodbye to their loved ones at inopportune times. There are many of my patients who are in treatment and many memories of patients and their families that kept me trekking on the most difficult days. I hope that in my lifetime, treatments will become more humane and I will be forced to find a new job.

One of your emails stated that LHS is a “sleeping dragon”. I, too, believe this to be true. It feels good to be part of an organization that will make an impact on people’s lives, and I will always cherish this experience.

Ps. Hello to my family….I’m alive and very okay.
Pps. Hello from Africa to my Aunt Donna’s class in Kansas!
Pps. If I told my friends 10 years ago that I’d be hanging out with rockstars, I would have gotten a good chuckle….but the hearts of these guys are as big as their music.

Kelly Carpenter

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Notes from camp: A-ok from here – nothing to report but the fact that we are VERY happy, healthy group of 25. We are celebrating our accomplishments and the birthday of Paul Cooney. I cannot say thank you enough for all of your encouragement. Your messages kept us going and are lifting our spirits every day. Tomorrow we head to the Ngorongoro Crater for some much needed R&R, game driving and a visit to the Masai Tribe. We need to keep our legs moving for a few days before everyone takes the long flights home. The next few days will be tough as our legs try to recover from the grueling beating we just put them through. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the darling neighbor of Karen Brooks who passed away this week. Nadia, you will be sadly missed by one amazing woman who had the pleasure to know you and call you a friend.

Kevin Carlberg, you were sadly missed on that mountaintop, hope you could hear the music!

Thank you to the “behind the scenes” team from LHS that wanted to be here but stayed behind and kept the wheels in motion; James Chippendale, Jason Damata, Aden Holt, Riley Jordan, Jennifer Corwin, Brittney Warren, Tom Flanagan, Alex Coletti, George Devanney, Shannon Woolsey and the countless friends and family that made this possible for the 25 of us.

Quote of the day: Shannon arrives at the “gates” to Kilimanjaro this morning to sign everyone off the mountain.
Ranger: how many in your group?
Shannon: 25
Ranger: how many made it to Uhuru?
Shannon: 25
Ranger: No, you must say WHICH ones made it to Uhuru and write it next to their name, and then list where the other people stopped hiking.
Shannon: We all made it to Uhuru.
Ranger: Uhuru is the summit, which ones made it to the summit?
Shannon: 25! All 25!!!!!!!!!!! All 25 made it to the summit!!!!
Ranger: Hapana!!?!?!?!!? (Swahili for “NO!”)
Shannon: Ndio (Yes)
Ranger: ok – what time?
Shannon: 6:30 AM
Ranger: HAPANA!!!!!!!!!!
Shannon: NDIO!!!!!!!!

 

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