John gives up his coffee for Kilimanjaro

Not only coffee, but John gave up beer for Mount Kilimanjaro!  When I asked him why, he said "I gave up coffee and beer because they are a diuretics and they are drugs in a way. I wanted to have a pure body system so I would be able to complete the climb. I was lucky I didn't get the headaches from coffee withdrawal, as for the beer or alcohol yah I miss the cold beer but being on the summit will be worth it."

John is departing in early October for Mount Kilimanjaro with his sister, his son Brian, and Brian's wife Leanne.  I was eager to know which part of the trip John was the most excited about.  "I am not excited but humbled by the journey ahead. I read lots of stories on the climb up Kilimanjaro they all say it is no walk in the park. I am trying to be prepared for the climb. I think I have the right clothes, and equipment for the climb. I still need to work on the conditioning of my body and mind. Each time I do an up hill fast walk  it gets easier and I feel better. By the time we fly out I will be ready."

When I first heard of their plan to climb to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro, I wanted to ask the question that first comes to mind of many who first hear of their plan, and that is why?  John explained to me that "I want to climb Kilimanjaro because Brian asked me and I think the challenge is something I could do. It was not on my life time list of must do's until I put it on after I decided to go. Now sunrise on the summit is where I am going!"

John explained to me how the climb works.  "Kilimanjaro has a rule you can't climb without a guide. On our trip we also have porters and a personal guide who sticks with you like glue. He does the best to get you on top. The porters carry the extra luggage, all the food, tents and all the rest of the supplies we need. I carry up my camera, clothes and things I need during the daily climb and the water I need during the day. From all my reading we need to drink at lest 4 litters a day. Water helps you deal with the altitude. Too little and you get headaches like nothing you experience down here. The porter have dinner ready at the end of each day climb, breakfast when you get up and lunch when you don't have an all day walk. After breakfast they clean up the campsite, rush past us and have it all set up when we reach it. Nice. We are taking the 8 day climb, 7 up and 1 1/2 down. We reach the summit on the morning of the 7th day. The decent is straight down. The one thing everyone I heard or read about is that it is COLD at the summit. The view from the climb with my photos will stay with me forever. I saw the pictures and I want to see it in person. We choose the 8 day climb over the shorter ones because the success rate goes way past the less then 50% on the short routes. We are going to stand on the summit."

When asked which part of the trip he was most anxious about, John said "The climb.  The least anxious part is the two safaris."  As Leanne mentioned when I interviewed her, (http://spruceneedle.com/viewarticles.cgi?article=1), the foursome will enjoy 2 safaris as part of their vacation.

As John is no spring chicken, I asked him how he was training for the climb.  "I am cutting out my coffee, and beer. I am walking more each time out to build up my body and lungs. I visualized the climb and see the sunrise at the summit."

As Leanne did, John also prepared by purchasing special gear for the climb.  "I got hiking boots, socks, rain gear, clothes, gaiters, down sleeping bag, down parka,backpack,extra batteries, memory and a light tripod for my camera,etc."

John feels ready for the climb and plans to continue preparing and training until they take off from the Toronto airport.

Good luck to you John!  I speak for us all that we are eager to see your photos of the sunrise at the summit!

Submitted by Lisa - Monday, September 19, 2005 21:38:51

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