Finally!...Botswana here I come! (With a couple of stops along the way!)
Mar 5th, 2009, 05:35 AM
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Finally!...Botswana here I come! (With a couple of stops along the way!)
Leaving on the 10th (next Tuesday) to celebrate my birthday (18th) in Africa. Yay!
Can't think of anywhere else I'd rather be. (Nothing like a last minute plan coming together. So typical of me!) Here's my itinerary.
Mar 10th. Depart US
Mar 11th. Arrive NBO
Mar 12-14. Campi Ya Kanzi in Kenya. Preparing for Kilimanjaro trek
Mar 14-21. Climbing Kilimanjaro, raising money for the Maasai Wilderness Conservation Trust. Long story but decided to do it last minute for Luca at CYK who is a dear friend. Will be somewhere up on Kili on the 18th celebrating my b'day, and I'm sure, freezing my 'arse' off.
Mar 21-23. Recovering from Kili climb back at CYK
Mar 24. Leave Kenya for Bots. Traveling solo for the remainder of my trip...
Mar 24. Arrive Jo'burg. overnight.
Mar 25-27. Three nights at Tau Pan Camp in CKGR
Mar 28-April 1. Five nights Kwara/Little Kwara Camp
April 2-4. Savute Safari Lodge
April 5-7. Kwando Lagoon Camp
April 8. Return to US arriving 9th.
Excited to finally make it to Bots for the first time!! Bots virgin no more!
Unfortunately, no gorillas this time around because I'm doing the Kili climb
fundraiser.
Gonna miss those guys 'til I see them again. Just not enough time and $$ to do it all. But maybe...later in the year.
Can't think of anywhere else I'd rather be. (Nothing like a last minute plan coming together. So typical of me!) Here's my itinerary.
Mar 10th. Depart US
Mar 11th. Arrive NBO
Mar 12-14. Campi Ya Kanzi in Kenya. Preparing for Kilimanjaro trek
Mar 14-21. Climbing Kilimanjaro, raising money for the Maasai Wilderness Conservation Trust. Long story but decided to do it last minute for Luca at CYK who is a dear friend. Will be somewhere up on Kili on the 18th celebrating my b'day, and I'm sure, freezing my 'arse' off.
Mar 21-23. Recovering from Kili climb back at CYK
Mar 24. Leave Kenya for Bots. Traveling solo for the remainder of my trip...
Mar 24. Arrive Jo'burg. overnight.
Mar 25-27. Three nights at Tau Pan Camp in CKGR
Mar 28-April 1. Five nights Kwara/Little Kwara Camp
April 2-4. Savute Safari Lodge
April 5-7. Kwando Lagoon Camp
April 8. Return to US arriving 9th.
Excited to finally make it to Bots for the first time!! Bots virgin no more!
Unfortunately, no gorillas this time around because I'm doing the Kili climb
fundraiser.
Gonna miss those guys 'til I see them again. Just not enough time and $$ to do it all. But maybe...later in the year.
Mar 5th, 2009, 07:30 AM
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Happy Birthday and good luck on your Kili climb. Are you doing it from the Kenya side? I thought that route was closed for access from Kenya.
Yes, I see how we dance around each other this time in Bots. Your itinerary looks great and relaxing. Mine is a bit hurried.
Have a great trip and safari njema,
Yes, I see how we dance around each other this time in Bots. Your itinerary looks great and relaxing. Mine is a bit hurried.
Have a great trip and safari njema,
Mar 5th, 2009, 07:55 AM
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Hey there! We have the same birthday.
Looks like you'll be taking the route up Kili from Kenya side? - that should be very enjoyable, with a lot less traffic, great views of Mawenzi and you'll have time to acclimate with the number of days on mountain.
Good success and Happy Birthday!
Rich (and Rachel)
Looks like you'll be taking the route up Kili from Kenya side? - that should be very enjoyable, with a lot less traffic, great views of Mawenzi and you'll have time to acclimate with the number of days on mountain.
Good success and Happy Birthday!
Rich (and Rachel)
Mar 5th, 2009, 07:56 AM
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safarimama-
No, doing it from the Tanzania side. Shira route. Staying at CYK in Kenya for a couple of nights prior and after since we're doing it for Luca's foundation. I'm already anticipating that long, hot shower when we get back to CYK.
Too bad we'll miss each other in Bots. Safari njema back at ya!
Sandy
No, doing it from the Tanzania side. Shira route. Staying at CYK in Kenya for a couple of nights prior and after since we're doing it for Luca's foundation. I'm already anticipating that long, hot shower when we get back to CYK.
Too bad we'll miss each other in Bots. Safari njema back at ya!
Sandy
Mar 5th, 2009, 08:21 AM
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Hey Rich...how are ya?
Our posts crossed paths. Like I told safarimama, we are doing it from Tanzania. I actually just took a Diamox this morning to see what side effects I have so I can distinguish them from altitude sickness if I encounter it.
Didn't know you were a March 18th baby too! I don't think we talked about birthdays last year while at Simiyu together, did we? So, happy early birthday to you, too!
Hopefully, like you guys, I'll be able to summit! I'll keep you posted!
Say hi to Rachel!
Our posts crossed paths. Like I told safarimama, we are doing it from Tanzania. I actually just took a Diamox this morning to see what side effects I have so I can distinguish them from altitude sickness if I encounter it.
Didn't know you were a March 18th baby too! I don't think we talked about birthdays last year while at Simiyu together, did we? So, happy early birthday to you, too!
Hopefully, like you guys, I'll be able to summit! I'll keep you posted!
Say hi to Rachel!
Mar 5th, 2009, 09:16 AM
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Diamox - my doctor gave me a super dose prescription that I think should be for emergency rescue use (time release capsules that I couldn't divide, but fortunately Rachel had pills that we could cut up) so when I took a couple of the caps the night and morning before hitting the trail, the prominent symptom was having to pee - not so good for the drive on the rough logging road up to the trailhead. I didn't note any other side effects, but my heart rate probably elevated a bit.
The Shira route will be fun - see my recent post on my old thread that was resurrected recently for a short description of our experience on that route - I assume you will do Lava Tower Camp, then Karanga and Barafu, with a midnight climb along with the crowd from Barafu. That is very good for acclimating since you drop back down from 15,000 to 11 or 12 and back to Karanga around 13. Just enjoy the walk - with your Colorado living you'll be fine.
Rich
The Shira route will be fun - see my recent post on my old thread that was resurrected recently for a short description of our experience on that route - I assume you will do Lava Tower Camp, then Karanga and Barafu, with a midnight climb along with the crowd from Barafu. That is very good for acclimating since you drop back down from 15,000 to 11 or 12 and back to Karanga around 13. Just enjoy the walk - with your Colorado living you'll be fine.
Rich
Mar 5th, 2009, 09:35 AM
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Thanks Chris. That's sweet of you. I feel like I'm embarking on some new adventure by going to Bots that so many of you guys have already experienced. But I will miss my gorillas so damn much. Knowing I'll be so close but so far away. I was trying to make it all work but just couldn't.
Rich, we'll actually be doing a morning summit. Our last camp will be at 18,500 I believe, called Summit Crater camp. A tough night's sleep, for sure, at that altitude...
Rich, we'll actually be doing a morning summit. Our last camp will be at 18,500 I believe, called Summit Crater camp. A tough night's sleep, for sure, at that altitude...
Mar 5th, 2009, 12:03 PM
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You guys didn't know I was only 17? Guess I had everyone fooled, huh?! ;-)
Should have previewed it before posting but didn't really think
about it when writing it. OK...so I'm older than 18 but younger than 80. How's that?!
Should have previewed it before posting but didn't really think
about it when writing it. OK...so I'm older than 18 but younger than 80. How's that?!
Mar 5th, 2009, 01:01 PM
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Good luck with your ascent. I hope everyone makes it to the top. Besides you and Luca, how many are climbing? (I know Antonella isn't!) Luca's ability to move beyond adversity is incredible. Bruce and I look forward to returning to CYK someday. It was one of our favorite places. Have a great trip!
Mar 5th, 2009, 02:01 PM
#15
Happy (milestone) Birthday! (your 18th birthday is a milestone, right? 
) And best wishes for good weather for your Kili climb! I'm sure you will have a great time. Is Stephano joining you and Luca?
I know you will enjoy the rest of your trip immensly and Botswana will be your new favorite. (My favorite is always the last place I've been.)
Safari njema, Sandy.
) And best wishes for good weather for your Kili climb! I'm sure you will have a great time. Is Stephano joining you and Luca? I know you will enjoy the rest of your trip immensly and Botswana will be your new favorite. (My favorite is always the last place I've been.)
Safari njema, Sandy.
Mar 5th, 2009, 05:03 PM
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OK,OK...it is a milestone birthday...but it's not 18 on the 18th. My big b-day is ON the 18th. If I could go back and rewrite it so it flowed better, I would. At least my birthday buddy, Rich, got it!
Thanks for all the well wishes.
Lynn- I'm 18 at heart but I'm sure I'll feel quite different when "whining" my way up Kili.
Sandi-I'll pass along hugs from you.
Marija- there were 7 of us climbing but 2 backed out a couple of days ago. Luca's not real happy about it but there's not much we can do at this point except stick with our plans. Hopefully, they'll still send along whatever funds they raised.
Cindy-Stephano isn't joining us. I think he may stay behind and mind the camp or probably be off skiing in the Alps.
Looking forward to Bots for sure. Got great advice from Bill where to go during green season so I hope it pays off.
Look out wild dogs, here I come!!
Thanks for all the well wishes.
Lynn- I'm 18 at heart but I'm sure I'll feel quite different when "whining" my way up Kili.
Sandi-I'll pass along hugs from you.
Marija- there were 7 of us climbing but 2 backed out a couple of days ago. Luca's not real happy about it but there's not much we can do at this point except stick with our plans. Hopefully, they'll still send along whatever funds they raised.
Cindy-Stephano isn't joining us. I think he may stay behind and mind the camp or probably be off skiing in the Alps.
Looking forward to Bots for sure. Got great advice from Bill where to go during green season so I hope it pays off.
Look out wild dogs, here I come!!
Mar 5th, 2009, 08:27 PM
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Have a fantastic trip. I am sponsoring Luca in the climb and had forgotten how close it all is so thanks for the reminder. I am off to do my banking transfers shortly and have sent him a MOST apologetic email because it had slipped my mind completely. He has you to thank for reminding me. I hope it goes well, it is such a good cause.
Sad that some pulled out, but that is the reality of the current times. Best intentions don't always come to pass.
Sad that some pulled out, but that is the reality of the current times. Best intentions don't always come to pass.
Mar 5th, 2009, 09:17 PM
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Right, Sandy, but my first thought was that you were claiming to be 18! Then of course I remembered that we had the pleasure of meeting you (not that you didn't look 18 a year ago - or old enough to drink anyway...)
Send me an e-mail with your fund-raising effort details and I'll see what I can do to support the cause. I hope the 2 that aren't coming at least raised some money for it. 2 less climbers means 10 or more less jobs.
Be well.
Rich
Send me an e-mail with your fund-raising effort details and I'll see what I can do to support the cause. I hope the 2 that aren't coming at least raised some money for it. 2 less climbers means 10 or more less jobs.
Be well.
Rich
Mar 6th, 2009, 05:49 AM
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Rich, email is on the way.
twaffle-
Make sure you let Luca know I helped to remind you! He's way in the lead in sponsorships dollars. Though he probably should be 'cause it is his foundation, he knows a heck of a lot of people and he does do it for a living! ;-)
twaffle-
Make sure you let Luca know I helped to remind you!
He's way in the lead in sponsorships dollars. Though he probably should be 'cause it is his foundation, he knows a heck of a lot of people and he does do it for a living! ;-)
