Day 5 - Mt Kilimanjaro

It is Sunday morning, 1/17/10, 6:39AM. Today Paulie will climb from Karanga Valley to Barafu Camp (elevation 15,091').

The climb will only take about 3.5 hours and the elevation change is +1,968'. The hike is 2.5 miles to Barafu Camp.

Paulie's route will be through rocky and barren terrain on his way up to Barafu Camp. The camp will be another cold and windy place, but he will only be sleeping there from about 7:00PM to 11:30PM BECAUSE at midnight (Monday AM), Paulie will begin the summit climb!

I have not heard a word or gotten a text from Paulie. I still text him everyday. So far I have sent him 26 texts and 2 voicemail messages. I am hoping he is at least getting my messages.

OMG, the cell phone I use just for Paulie just alerted me to a vm message....Darn, it was just my father-in-law, Jack. He is the only other person calling me on this phone....He is such a sweetheart and calls me everyday but I was hoping it was Paulie. The support Paulie and I are getting from his family is wonderful.

Today I did all the chores that Paulie usually does for me...laundry, grocery shopping, pet feeding, dog walking, house cleaning...and I even make my own coffee. Boy howdy I am spoiled and so very fortunate.

Day 4 - Mt. Kilimanjaro

It is Saturday, about 10:00AM. This is the "easy" day for Paulie. He is allowed to sleep-in, wake-up at 7:30AM, breakfast at 8:00AM, and off by 9:00AM. Luxury!

Paulie is climbing from Barranco Camp to Karanga Valley. It will take about 3.5 hours. The elevation change is 328', about a 2.5 mile hike to the final elevation for the day. The Great Barranco Wall is 800' high so Paulie will be climbing over the wall and then down into the Karanga Valley, where the elevation is 13,000'.

I have not received a message from Paulie now since Day 2. I am sure he is still climbing. If he was not he would have already called me as they get sick climbers down the mountain right away. They put them in a wheel barrel and push them down the mountain!

I found some pictures online I think you will enjoy of Paulie's climb today. It looks scary. "Pole pole" (slowly, slowly).

The Sanctuary Needs your Help!

Hi Everyone,
If you haven’t had a chance to make a donation, please consider donating. $5 dollars would be a huge help! The sanctuary really needs the help.
Big hugs and thank yous to all of you for supporting Paulie financially (donations), emotionally and/or spiritually!

Day 3 - Mt. Kilimanjaro

It is 7:30AM of day 3 - Today Paulie will climb to Barranco Camp. The elevation is 12,800'. It will take 5 hours to hike, I am not sure how many miles and the elevation change will only be about 328', but Paulie will need time to acclimatize.

The morning climb is steep as you climb to Lava Tower at 4,600 meters at midday before descending again on the scenic route to Barranco Camp. Lava Tower is a great hike between Shira Camp and Barranco Camp. It’s a great way to help acclimate to the altitude - hike high, sleep low - as it’s an extra few thousand feet above Barranco Camp.

I have not received a text from Paulie since yesterday morning. I know he is texting me but they are just not coming through. He told me not to worry if I do not hear from him. I am not, but I do miss hearing from him. I still text him just in case he can get my messages, I even left him a voicemail message. Paulie and I talk everyday at least 5 times while I am at work. He is my best friend. I have never gone a day without hearing from him.

Wow, it is only 9:00PM (PST) and I think I am done for the evening....

Lala salama

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.