Day 2 - Mt. Kilimanjaro

Paulie text me 3 times today after he arrived at Machame Camp. He said the climb was very hard but he feels great. "It's incredible"...Marmoto just brought dinner..I have to stop or I'll explode. Lala salama, (Sleep well in Swahili).

It is 7:30AM of day 2 - Today Paulie will climb to Shira Camp. The elevation is 12,300'. It will take 7 hours to hike, about 3.75 miles and the elevation change will be +3,000'. It will be mostly dry. Freeze-thaw conditions (max 37°F on Thu morning, min 28°F on Thu night). Wind will be generally light.

I am so tired since Paulie left. I am not sleeping well, only about 4 hours a night and when you have to get up at 4:30AM that hurts!

Lala salama

Day 1 of the Climb - Mt. Kilimanjaro

Paulie started his climb this morning, 1/13/10. Tanzania is 11 hours ahead of us.
I talked to Paulie one more time this evening (PST). He is rested, healthy and ready to get started.

1/12/2010 - "I'm feeling very good right now and I had a very nice breakfast. I've taken a bunch of pictures and a little video. Earlier, I met a couple from San Francisco, (small world) who are going on safari. They approached me because I'm wearing my Whitney t-shirt. The man told me that he proposed to her at the top 2 years ago..."

"I just met a representative from Good Earth ...And get this. I'm the only one on the climb!!! How 'bout them apples. I'm very fine with it!"
_____
It turns out the other two folk's flight was canceled in Germany due to bad weather. Don't worry, Paulie will not climb alone. He will have a guide and 4 porters. Paulie is very spiritual so this may be a wonderful experience as a lone climber. When he makes it to the top, he has the tail hair from our beloved Sammie, who passed away May 18, 2007. He has kept that hair for this mountain climb. He will toss it into the wind in her honor and memory.

Paulie has started at the Machame Gate (5,363')and on this first day, he will climb over 3,937' to Machame Hut (9,300'). He will hike 7.5 hours and travel about 6.21 miles. He will arrive at camp where the elevation is 10,170'.

The weather should be dry. Mild temperatures (max 48°F on Wed morning, min 41°F on Wed night). Wind will be light.

Paulie will text me everyday if he can.

Thank you Ethan, Ella, Mr. Bucher and the Brainiacs, Isa, Christina, Sherri, Beth, Gail, I could go on and on...all of you for your prayers and support.

Paulie has arrived in Tanzania

Paulie arrived safely in Tanzania and is just waking up, Tuesday, (5:30AM EAT). He slept well at the Le Jacaranda Hotel under the protection of a mosquito net and now has the entire day to explore Arusha. This evening he will meet with the guides and the other team members climbing for a briefing. Wednesday morning, about 8:30AM they will head out to Mt. Kilimanjaro.

I have been very fortunate so far, Paulie and I have been able to talk or text each other every day. Wednesday that will change. I hope he is able to text me from the mountain.

Almost there - Mt. Kilimanjaro

I just got off the phone with Paulie. It is about 6:00AM in Amsterdam, Monday morning. The flight over was very long and exhausting. Paulie got to the hotel and because the weather was so bad decided not to check out the local museums. He had spaghetti for dinner (his favorite meal) and went to sleep. He is now on his way to Tanzania. He should land at 9:30pm on Monday evening OR around 10:30am (PST) Monday morning our time. It was so good to talk with him. He got a good night sleep and is feeling very good. Boy howdy, do I miss him. He will spend another night getting rest and will start the climb on Wednesday AM, 1/13/10, Tanzania Time.

In Flight to Amsterdam

Paulie's flight from SFO to Amsterdam was delayed 1 hour and 45 minutes due to severe weather in Amsterdam. He had to be at the airport 3 hours ahead of time, instead of the usual 2 hours because of the terrorist attempt last week....they finally took off at 4:55PM (PST).

Paulie was a little stressed out the last 24 hours because Murphy's Law was rearing it's ugly head. Lola got sick yesterday and we were at the vet until 7:00PM, when we got home the heater would not work and this am the fluorescent lights went out in the bathroom, all four of them! We have not seen any sun here for over a week so our solar flood lights do not work....all things that my hubby takes care of. I reassured him I could handle it and called him before his flight left to say the heat was back on....I am just beginning to realize all the things he does for me while I am at work. We have never been a part this long before. I miss him already.

Leaving on a jet plane for Mt. Kilimanjaro

Hi All,

Paulie leaves in the morning! Today he spent his time putting all his equipment and supplies into the duffel bag. Boy howdy, there sure is a lot! He is not a camper so he had to go online to find out how to pack his sleeping bag back into its' stuff sack. Yikes!

Less then 2 Days to Go

Hi All, I just want to thank everyone for your support. Paulie has been getting lots of emails and calls wishing him well. The support is very powerful.

A few more excerpts from Paulie's journal:
"I fed the snakes today so Vikki won't have to worry about being attacked while I'm gone. As time draws near, my concern or worry about not being able to summit is increasing. Each day, several times a day, I envision taking those final steps to the top, knowing that it's going to be very, very difficult and challenging. I can think of little else."