Dispatch 3 from Andy Buerger on Mt. Kilimanjaro, CFH Trip 2:
(Via Jen Buerger)
Andy called at 5:14 am this morning happily reporting that everyone made it to the summit AND is safely down at camp for the night. He said it was an extremely long and exhausting day which ended with great emotional rewards for everyone.

SO amazing!
P & L,
JB

Dispatch 2 from Andy Buerger on Mt. Kilimanjaro, CFH Trip 2:

Jen Buerger spoke w/ Andy again this morning - about 8:30am our time. They are having a light pasta dinner then heading off to bed early. Everyone continues to be strong and is expected to make the summit push starting around 11:30pm (their time) tonight. Spirits are high, but a few stomachs are being affected by altitude or bug. She'll be in touch again as soon as she hears anything more.

Dispatch 1 from Andy Buerger on Mt. Kilimanjaro, CFH Trip 2:

Andy says it is extremely beautiful. The past days the weather has been warm and great to trek in. Today (day 4 of the actual climb) they are having a much needed rest day and getting prepared for the last 2 days of the climb. They camped at 12,800 ft. (I think). Everyone is strong and doing great. A few blisters -- to report. He says the group is tremendous and jelling.

That's all for now.

CFH Group 1 on Mt. Kilimanjaro
Day 5
June 9, 2008

Habari! We have arrived safely at Karanga camp, 13,200 feet. The climb and the scenery have been spectacular. Day one had us ascend from 6000 ft. to 1000 feet. We spent most of the day in damp rainforest (think Gorillas in the Mist), arriving seven and a half hours later at Machame camp. Day two we headed above the tree line and into the billowy white clouds that blanketed the horizon for a hundred and eighty degrees around us, arriving at Shira camp at 12,800 feet. Day Three had us set out on the steady, stony route to 15000 feet to the stony lava tower, and then down the Umbwe route to the Barranco camp at 13000 feet, where we arrived after the nine hour day, and then rested through day four.

Every day we set out with the clouds sitting below us, and as the day warms, the pressure differential causes the clouds to rise and catch us in a cold mist as they pass us, waiting for us to climb above them again.

Today we scrambled and switched back over the craggy Barranco wall crossing streams, hand over hand climbing (sometimes at 80 degree angles), and then down and up again, traversing west on the southern side of the mountain to the Karanga camp site. Our camp site is now set in the sunny afternoon below the magnificent snow-covered mountain standing sentinel over the coming evening. Everyone is doing well and the pace has been steady. Tomorrow we’ll set out for the four hour hike to Barafu high camp (15000+ ft), rest all day, and then set out at midnight to trek the last 4000 snow –covered feet to the summit.

Love to all, and Asante Asana!

Joel

5:30 am Wed 6/4

Habari! All's well in AFRICA! I snuck into the hotel office to send you a quick email. Yesterday we caught a glimpse of Kilimanjero across the plains as the clouds parted - it is HUMUNGOUS (sp?) No mountain in the world stands more out of the ground and it is an awesome sight to behold. We set off at 7 am to begin the journey. Chris and Austin have us prepped and Carol, Annie, Liz, Mike, Owen, Beth are all chomp'n at the bit - I think we have more cameras than porters ... Mike has offered to tatoo or pierce any of us anywhere...making sure he hikes ahead of me...An honor to be with 3 cancer survivors on this journey - their experiences have already movd us and will no doubt inspire the path ahad.. Internet and phone might be spotty but we'll try to get back in touch soon. Kwaheri for now and asante sana for all of your support!

Joel