TO THE SUMMIT!

< Newer | Older > Sat, 03/01/2008 - 13:15 — joi

Up to Base CampKevin here- 15,700 ft, sun and clouds, base camp

We arise to a beatiful sunrise and view of Kibo (summit) from about 12,500 feet. We are for the most part energized and ready to hike to above Barafu.

The high desert and rock formations are a beauty I've never seen the likes of making me think "Its the journey, not the destination".

The arrival at camp to the porters singing and dancing brings me joy and gratitude I can not contain and it spills out as tears washing on this writing.

Kevin

PS. Yes folks we have gotten over 400 emails from you all and have read them alll to everyone. We cannot answer that individually but once in town individuals will be able to have some time to respond individually.

Today Todd made it to 15,000 feet and then went down due to altitude sickness. He is fine. The rest are all doing welll.

Messages

a new day for all

Visitor — Sat, 03/01/2008 - 13:26

Diane and fellow climbers,
Tomorrow is a new day like no other! Thank you for taking on the struggles -- the exhilaration at the summit will be amazing!
all our love,
Patty, Fred and Matt

Todd

Visitor — Sat, 03/01/2008 - 14:15

We are so proud you made it to 15,000 ft and happy to hear you are doing well after altitude sickness. My parents and your family are sending wishes your way. I am sure your mother would be so proud of you today. I love you. Best wishes to the entire team, to the summit they will all go!
Dell has a message just for you.... i always have dreams about you. we all miss u but the dog misses u more. GO0D JOB! from me + mom + sis + yankee. i am the man of the house + i get to sleep with mommy !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I Love You VERY MUCH. Love, Dell and Mom

linda johnstone

szecchino — Sat, 03/01/2008 - 14:50

Hi, Lin,
We are getting chills waiting for you to reach the summit. Oh, maybe it's because we're still pretty c-o-o-o-o-o-ld here in Rochester. No, I think it's because of the pride we feel for you as you attempt this amazing climb. May God bless you and keep you strong. You are a hero to all of us. Love Always, Aunt Sandy and Uncle Ralph

Hello KJM

Visitor — Sat, 03/01/2008 - 14:55

Great to hear from you! Canot even imagine the beauty you are describing. I have my candles going for you in church guiding you to the summit. By the time you read this, you will have reached the peak-- congratulations Friend!
Bob & Sue H.

we're with you on your climb

Visitor — Sat, 03/01/2008 - 14:56

hello from deb, joe, and liz - we were in your boots last week, thank you for your detailed updates, we feel like we're back on the mountain again! you're in our thoughts and prayers as you're summiting - ENJOY!

Go Livonia!

alicemn — Sat, 03/01/2008 - 15:03

It is a beautiful sunny morning in Livonia! Teagan and Kayla spent the night...we are working on Nation kid's Public Presentations and Great Job and Welcome Home signs for parents! Today is the day! I am preaching this weekend about the blind man getting his sight....all of you are real, living examples of that...what seemed impossible is made possible...because you believed in yourself and something bigger than you! Once again, I am using the kili climbers as an example.
Char, your kid doesn't know what a bread machine is...I guess it is pretty irrevelent on the top of a mountain, but we are making bread in it this am and Teagan is simply amazed!
Linda, great to hear your voice....keep going!
love you all....many blessings and we continue to lift you up!!!
Alice MN

Ned (Dad and Grandpa)

salford12 — Sat, 03/01/2008 - 15:07

You are awesome!!! People here keep asking about you and how it's going. Lots of people are sending you good thoughts and are keeping you in their prayers. Hang in there - you're almost there!! We love you.
Alison, Steve, Sarina and Garrett

The journey is the destination

Mary Clare Reinhardt — Sat, 03/01/2008 - 16:25

Hi Kevin

You are so right regarding the journey being the destination. And if you get lucky enough to arrive at your destination, the rewards are great. Continued success to you and the team. Here is a quote for you:

"The journey is the destination and the destination is the beginning of a new journey." m.c. reinhardt

GO TINA!!!

Visitor — Sat, 03/01/2008 - 18:09

Dearest Tina... we are holding our breath and waiting to hear you've made it to the top. Beth just dropped off Noelle and Niki here at Mom's, so she can go get her nails done. Nah, not really, she's running errands like a crazy person, as usual. Niki has a birthday party today for the triplets, remember the ones Beth asked you about?! Should she buy one gift or three? She needs your counsel!! Carrie is having some rough days, the chemo is intense, and now we are afraid she has a little cold. But we are taking good care of her, and she is pushing herself to her limits, too, like you. We are SO EXCITED for you, words cannot explain. I talked to Beth last night and she wishes she was there with you so badly!!! Be well, be strong! You are a rock star!!!!!! Love, Nanci and the Bogdons.

to kim and tom mattice

Visitor — Sat, 03/01/2008 - 18:16

Hello from your gang tending the fire,
Anxious to hear if heaven is getting closer.......Your dad would be so proud
of you, as I am.... I'm sure he's there with you encouraging you on with every
step... he has his way of making himself known, as you know,so I know you will
be fine because he is with you... He wouldn't let anything happen to his "baby
girl".
All is quiet on the homefront today.... Ryan at Mimi's.... Patrick going to Nick's at
about 2.
I miss your voice everyday and talking first thing in the morning......
Scooter is doing fine... Mandi, well, she's tired....!
We love you and can't wait to hear all about it !
Mom & Co.

Allen Family and Gang

Visitor — Sat, 03/01/2008 - 19:01

This is it friends and family. The summit is near. We loved getting all of your messages and description of the area. We are on our way sledding
in the wind and cold. It's about 27 degrees. The driveway keeps fillling in
with snow. Dad and Scott are at the Syracuse game today. Diane and Karen
shoveled drift in front of garage to get out for sledding.

All of us are thinking of you. We will be all together in church tonight.
Trevor says he loves you mom and dad. We all miss you alot. The kids are doing great with Nana and Grandpa Uncle Scott and Diane.
Lori, Reilly misses you. He comes for reassurance.

Esther

Visitor — Sat, 03/01/2008 - 21:41

I'm so excited for you! Stay strong, we're all pulling for you. Mary

KJM

Visitor — Sat, 03/01/2008 - 22:32

Well it sounds like your climb is going well. Probably by the time you get this blog you will have already gone up to the summit. Take a picture for me! I would love to see how amazing the view must be. From the descriptions of your fellow climbers, it sounds like the teamwork is enabling all to greater heights. Stay safe.

Joanne

to Ester

clanderson45 — Sun, 03/02/2008 - 00:15

You must, literally, be on cloud nine! What an inspiratation you and your fellow climbers are. Please say hello to the top of the world for me! Love your guts!
Carol

TINA AND TOM AND KIM

Visitor — Sun, 03/02/2008 - 00:20

Hello from the Lewis Family!!!! How cool are you???? Tom and Kim~ Tina is a saint who watched Simon for a bit :) Small world, huh?? We'll watch you online and pray faithfully for your safety. We are sure that this life changing (your's and other's) experience will be contagious!!!!

We love you and are proud!

Kim, Don, Simon and Emma

We're thinking of you!

Visitor — Sun, 03/02/2008 - 00:50

Esther--
As we skiied in the blustery snow today in Mendon park we thought of you heading up the mountain on summit day! Hope all is going well!
Love,
Deb, Jay, Jamie and Andrew

Bonnie Zechman

Visitor — Sun, 03/02/2008 - 01:22

Thinking of you on this blustery day in Bloomfield. Hope you are not stessing your body to much. Hugs and YOU GO GIRL! lOVE, JUDY AND JIM

Tom and Kim

Visitor — Sun, 03/02/2008 - 02:15

Congratulations! We've been thinking of you and praying for you every day. We hope this journey has been as wonderful as you dreamt it would be - it probably far exceeds what anyone could ever imagine. We've heard the only way to describe the view from the summit is 'Heaven'. You'll have to tell us all about it. We will be watching you tonight online. We wish you all the best on the remainder of your trip. We can't wait to hear all about your adventures. We are so proud of you both!!!

Love,
Chris, Julie, Whitney, Ethan and Oren Welch

The Welch Family, Thank you

Visitor — Sun, 03/09/2008 - 23:37

The Welch Family,

Thank you for your E-mail. The support we received was over whelming! The top truely was heaven! This was a life changing experience, all for the good. We look forward to telling you the stories and sharing the pictures. Thank you again.

Love Tom and Kim

Tom and Kim

Erica — Sun, 03/02/2008 - 02:41

Congratulations! We are very excited for you!!! You have both worked hard for this....enjoy each second you are on top. Yes, drink it in and experience it with all of your senses. How does the top feel, how does it smell? Remember to take a mental picture to last your life time. I can't wait to hear all about it. I am praying for you.

Hey Tom, do you feel like the Hulk now?
Your both incredible!
Erica

BONNIE AND JIM

tupper — Sun, 03/02/2008 - 02:48

This is it! According to our calculations, you should both be at the top of the mountain in the next few minutes . . . what a truly amazing accomplishment. I'm not sure the mountain will be able to contain of the emotions and energy that the two of you and all of the other climbers hold! Enjoy your time up there and then get down safe!!! Enjoy the rest of the trip. We can't wait to see pics and hear all of the details. Good luck with the school, Jim, and enjoy the safari!

Tom & Kim

dlm — Sun, 03/02/2008 - 02:50

Cant wait to here all about it. Great job both
Dad and Mom

Tina Button Up for Fairport

Mrs. B - Mr. B — Sun, 03/02/2008 - 04:05

Fairport Weather
Current conditions as of 9:54 pm EDT
Light Snow Feels Like: 16°
Barometer: 30.18 in and rising
Humidity: 60% Visibility: 8 mi
Dewpoint: 17° Wind: NW 13 mph
Sunrise: 6:45 am Sunset: 5:59 pm
27° High: 32° Low: 20°
Y'all come on down to Raleigh. We had a great day today at about 65 degrees. Oh yes Cuse lost to Pitt. Last minute turnover.
Love and Stuff, Mrs. & Mr. B

Jack

Debby — Sun, 03/02/2008 - 04:47

Hi Just wanted to know if they are feeding you good. love you your sister Debby

JACK

Visitor — Sun, 03/02/2008 - 22:09

Hi Jack,
My sister Wendy and I are sitting here checking up on where you all are, and reading the blogs. It is so inspiring, and we are so proud of what you and all the climbers are doing. We are so glad to watch your progress and be a small part of it. God bless you all.
Sue Burggraf and Wendy Doll

Bonnie Z.

howard_1948 — Mon, 03/03/2008 - 00:32

CONGRATULATIONS- It was great to hear your message from the top today.
Hope you have a good trip back.

Bob & Barb Howard

Tina Trudeau, Linda & Paul

Visitor — Mon, 03/03/2008 - 00:45

WOW - You guys are amazing. Can't wait to see pix when you return. Much love and admiration - Barbi & Morgan

Congradulations Mom (Diane) and everyone else!!

bairdking — Mon, 03/03/2008 - 04:22

Hey Mom and the rest of the crew,
I'm on a transition day between the winter section in the Absarokas in Wyoming and the canyon section in canyon lands in Utah and I found out you guys made the summit yesterday!! I can not figure out how to get sound on this computer so I havent listened to the blogs but I talked with Maureen and dad. That is so amazing and im sure you are all extremely excited. Have a safe trip down the mountain (up is only half the trip). I am so happy and proud of you and everyone else and keep bragging to all my new NOLS buddies and instructors and they all keep reminding me how much more badass my mom is than me. Hello to everyone else on the trip and have an amazing time on the safari.
Love from Wyoming (and colorado and utah),
Baird

Congratulations Tom Stevens!

Gabe — Mon, 03/03/2008 - 10:33

Read you reached the Summit yesterday! Enjoy the rest of your adventure in Africa!
Love continued support! Jane and Gabe Gutierrez

GO Laurel

Visitor — Mon, 03/03/2008 - 22:33

Go Laurel,
We love you
Penny Chris Mikko Brody

Hi Mom and Dad Flanigan

Visitor — Tue, 03/04/2008 - 15:29

Teagan's class is proud of you! Congratulations! You have inspired us all! You have a lot of guts. Have a safe trip down. We think you did a great job supporting cancer survivors. Have fun on the safari. See you soon.
Miss Bonadonna's class

Congratulations

roadkingjim — Tue, 03/04/2008 - 20:50

Dear Robin and Patrick. I've been checking in on both of you each day. Well done!! Have a safe journey home.
Uncle Jimmy.

Congratulations Bonnie

99browns — Wed, 03/05/2008 - 02:24

Bonnie,
We have been following your groups' progress on a daily basis and were delighted to hear your voice as you reached the summit of Mt.K on Sunday. You should be very, very proud of your amazing achievement. We were thinking of and praying for you, especially today, when we visited the OCNH. We look forward to seeing you soon, hearing your stories, and looking at your pictures. Enjoy your safaris. Denny & Laurie

Kim and Tom's climb

Lorraine Sturm — Sun, 03/09/2008 - 20:53

Hi Kim and Tom - congratulations on your accomplishments! Hope you'll share your experiences with our Perry Herald newspaper readers. - Lorraine Sturm

Lorraine, Thank you for your

Visitor — Sun, 03/09/2008 - 23:34

Lorraine,

Thank you for your E-mail. We would love to share our expierence with everyone in Perry. It was so wonderful to have the support from so many people and E-mails! I will get a hold of the Perry Herald and I hope they can run another story. Although I will have to give them the shortened version. There is just too much to talk about. The one thing I can tell you is that it was a life changing experience! All for the good!

Tom and Kim Mattice

2009 Kilimanjaro Climb has

thomaskilimanja... — Sat, 02/14/2009 - 21:35

2009 Kilimanjaro Climb has begun! A great sendoff at the airport today. Good luck to all and for us back home we are on the edge of the mountain with you,.

Mama Bear

Weeeeee miss youuuuuuuuuu