We are out of the woods now

< Newer | Older > Wed, 02/18/2009 - 14:02 — joi

Lunch on routeDATE: February 18, 2009

LOCATION: Shira 1, 11,000 feet, partly cloudy, pleasant, some wind.

Desi Here

Hi Mom! We started off our hike today still in the rainforest. We saw moss covered trees reminding me of an enchanted forest. As we stumbled higher the trees became sparser until we suddenly crossed in the giant 15 foot tall heather zone. We climbed higher and higher and each peak I thought would be the last but there was always a higher one behind it. Finally we crested the last peak and for the first time the whole mountain loomed before us. I realized I must be friggin' insane.

PS As we write this a complete rainbow came out in front Kili.

Messages

Photo

PSymanski — Wed, 02/18/2009 - 14:57

Keith, Great photo. You are beaming. No doubt in my mind you are having a good time on this great adventure. Love being able to keep in touch with you this way. Be well!!!

Keith

Mary-Jo — Wed, 02/18/2009 - 15:17

Keith,
Great picture. Looks like you are all being well fed. Looking forward to some of the breath taking pictures. We are all pulling for you back in the states. You are in our thoughts. Take care and keep climbing.
Mary-Jo

AMAZIN'

sadie1 — Wed, 02/18/2009 - 15:33

KEITH-
You look GREAT! You're an INSPIRATION!!!!! Carl and I are sending our love.
Are the spinning classes paying off? How about Erin Brokavich playin on the summit? Keep smiling while your climbing, Jane

JoAnn Harig

sassy14043 — Wed, 02/18/2009 - 15:43

Hey Jo, We're all here rooting for you. Hope you're safe and having fun! Keep on climbing. Sharon

Hi Bonnie!

abejdad — Wed, 02/18/2009 - 15:47

Hey Bonnie. How is the Climb? Getting towards the top? I couldn't see you in the group lunch picture. We're thinking of you.

--Abe ;-)

Hi Keith

cervpa — Wed, 02/18/2009 - 16:05

Great photo shoot!!!! Everyone looks in great spirit. Hope this is a great day for you and the gang. Keep on climbing, keep smiling. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Mary & Joe

Keith

Saratoga Relay — Wed, 02/18/2009 - 16:20

Sounds and looks like everyone is doing well! Hang in there and have a great experience!

Hi Keith!

BBTeagle — Wed, 02/18/2009 - 17:10

What a great photo! You look like you are having a wonderful time and it seems like everything is going well so far with your climb. Jay and I send "good luck" wishes from here in North Carolina.

Brenda

hi mom were are you

lbombard — Wed, 02/18/2009 - 17:47

hi mom were are you right now mom? have fun love stefan

hope you have a great time. how many days have you been climbing? love Claire

Hi sharon We are all very proud of you. Glad you are having a great time. We all miss you very much. Love Gregg stefan Claire and Sunday

Desi's Update

potenti98 — Wed, 02/18/2009 - 18:36

Hi - I loved your posting, Desi! I hope you got a photo of that rainbow. It must be a good omen to push on. Take good care of yourselves and each other, and drink, drink, drink! Love you!

Auntie Pat

sharon's climb

lbombard — Wed, 02/18/2009 - 19:15

Hi Sharon
we are missing you and hoping all is well with all of you!

Linda :)

Keith

cdavidson — Wed, 02/18/2009 - 22:19

Hey, your still smiling and the sun is shining. That's a great sign. Sounds like you guys are getting up there. Keep up the good work. Your be there before you know it. We love and miss ya.
Love Celeste

Desi and Alex

DesisMom — Thu, 02/19/2009 - 00:12

YEAH! She speaks. I have goosebumps alllllllll over my boooooooody! I am so happy for you. I know you are pushing your bodies to the limit, but that is what they are for! Push, push, push and see what your limits are! And then you'll find you have less and less limits.
When someone goes through chemotherapy -- it's similar -- and you do need a team to get you through. The will to live and to do great things -- that is what your inspirational hike is all about. LOVE LOVE LOVE you!

PS Desi and Alex

DesisMom — Thu, 02/19/2009 - 00:13

You WILL remember all this trip so that you can tell me all about it. photo by photo!

Joann and Jen

Clarkbar — Thu, 02/19/2009 - 00:34

Hi Joann and Jen, Hope your getting lots of sleep, good weather, tall bushes :) and cute guys to carry your stuff! Henry and Joe said HELLO!

Jo and Jen

kkalgk9 — Thu, 02/19/2009 - 04:30

Nice progress! When you need a break, we thought you might enjoy a few Kiliswahili phrases along your journey:

tamu buzi: delicious goat
mnyama kipenzi jiwe: pet rock
mavi ndovu: elephant dung
Jo yuko Tanzania: Jo is in Tanzania
ninahamu chakleti: I have a yearning for chocolate
nimechoka: I am tired
anga: sky, heavens
uhodari: bravery, courage, prowess
kwa bahati nzuri: good luck

Keep up the good work!
Love, Kathy and Al

so jealous

lmerz — Thu, 02/19/2009 - 12:03

OK, so I am sure you are "feeling the burn" about now but hope you aren't questioning your decision to do this climb. I think it's freakin' amazing and am SO jealous. And your mom couldn't be prouder, I know.

Do you all read at all while on this trip? Just curious--or are reading materials too heavy to add to your packs? I just finished 3 Cups of Tea, about a climber who attempted K2 but then had to turn back, got lost, and ultimately has spent his life's work helping the people of rural Pakistan. The high peaks of the Himalayas sounds incredibly beautiful! I can just imagine what you are seeing right now in Tanzania!

Be safe and vaya con Dios! Lawrie (Desi's mom's freshman college room-mate--how's THAT for a long relationship)

To Jon...

bvhorses — Thu, 02/19/2009 - 13:07

We are at the other end of the world in Eleuthera, Bahamas but thinking of you there on top of a mountain!!!!! We are all wishing you the best luck in your hike to the top. Keep strong and healthy! See you real soon.
We love you!
Jen, Chris, Sage, Jacquie, Don, Jennifer and Sean

Go Dr. Rubins!!

serent — Thu, 02/19/2009 - 15:18

We are thinking about you here at Interlakes. We have been trying to get on the site to see where you are. I see that you are not blogging!! Hope all is going well!! Safe climbing and we are all thinking about you!! Your Geneva crew.

Way to go Climbers!!

Kimberly.davids... — Thu, 02/19/2009 - 17:32

Hey!! Way to go Climbers!! Keep those photos coming, it's so good to see happy cheery faces. We're all rooting for ALL of you. Good Luck, and most pleasant views!! Keep safe, and keep happy. Keep up the good work Keith!!
Love Kim

HI KEITH

sadie1 — Thu, 02/19/2009 - 18:02

KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK...YOU ARE "MOVING" MOUNTAINS!!!! KEEP SMILIN' WHILE YOUR CLIMBIN'. LOVE, JANE & CARL

Hi terry and daddy

ccullinan — Thu, 02/19/2009 - 19:08

I like your hat in the picture terry :-). Hope the climb is going well. things are great here 80 degrees and climbing. haha I wish. take lots of pictures. Dogs are okay still. Planning on taking them for a walk on sat. there behaving very well. Miss you both. Got a suprise for when you guys come back :-). love Courtney, Moncef and Grandma and Grandpa

Hi Desi and Alex!

caitlinb — Thu, 02/19/2009 - 22:45

Desi, thanks for the post! I know you can do it- you were amazing in Ecuador and you can do anything. Take lots of pictures!

Caitlin

Terry and Rick

jcleary — Thu, 02/19/2009 - 23:34

Dont look down

To Jen and all the '09ers

apitruzzella — Fri, 02/20/2009 - 02:28

Hey Team...well another day under your belt...and more of the mountain under your feet. Life at home is the same...but for you, life is changing by the minute. Hopefully you have made it through the toughest parts and it is ALL DOWNHILL FROM HERE!!! LOL!!!

My thoughts and prayers are with you every step of the way!!!

Love,

Andrea, Cal and Kids

HI KEITH

sadie1 — Fri, 02/20/2009 - 17:39

"ONE DOES NOT CLIMB TO ATTAIN ENLIGHTENMENT, RATHER ONE CLIMBS BECAUSE HE IS ENLIGHTENED......" YOU ARE LEAVING FOOTPRINTS BUT TAKING WITH YOU HEARTPRINTS!!! KEEP SMILIN' WHILE YOU'RE CLIMBIN'. YOU CAN DO IT!!!!!!!! LOVE JANE & CARL

Go Keith!

Scotia81 — Sat, 02/21/2009 - 14:11

Keith,Keep up the good work,it's for a great cause!Love,Your Brother Mike

Hi Keith - Martha here - one

martha — Sat, 02/21/2009 - 15:18

Hi Keith - Martha here - one of Kathy's SGHS pals. She sent us girls an email about your incredible undertaking! Good for you! I so impressed! You truly must be making all your family and friends proud! Way to go!