Chasing Life (all the way up Mt. Kilimanjaro)

My March Madness bracket is complete and so that must mean the middle of March is upon us. I am currently at the Dar es Salaam International Airport preparing for my hour and a half flight to the northern part of Tanzania, Arusha. From there I will be picked up and driven to Outpost, the hostel I will be staying at before and after my climb. On Thursday I will walk around Arusha and then at night I will have a pre-climb briefing with the guide. 

On Friday, the group and I will start off for the mountain. I am unsure as of now how many will be in my group but I would guess a number of people will be climbing at this time of the year. 

Once we reach the mountain we will climb through the jungle base layer until we arrive at the first stop and then prepare for the night. Each day consists of climbing, resting and setting up a campsite. The ascent takes 5-6 days because of acclimating to the altitude and lack of oxygen. The goal is to summit on the morning of the 23rd under the light of a full moon. Then, we will descend and arrive back at the hostel on the 24th. 

I will make sure to describe and explain the climb in better detail once I have completed it. Though, some quick facts are:

• Mt. Kilimanjaro is the highest freestanding mountain on earth. Standing at 19,341 feet (5,895 meters).

•The highest peak is called Uhuru Peak (Freedom Peak). 

• I will be climbing with a guide and a group of climbers and tourists.

• Kilimanjaro rises above the Serengeti and is home to a number of animals.

• Kilimanjaro is a dormant volcano.

• There are multiple biomes a climber will pass through while climbing. This makes the climb a beautiful one.

• The glaciers atop the mountain are the only ones in all of Africa and have been there for thousands of years. It is the continents only year-round snow. However, unfortunately, due to climate change the glaciers are rapidly melting. Scientists believe they will be gone in 30 years.

• Mt. Kilimanjaro is nicknamed "The roof of Africa".

On the night of the 25th I will fly back to Dar and then take a taxi to Mbungo Bus Station where my bus to Songea will leave at 6:00AM. I hope to be back in Hanga for Easter.

I will attempt to post a blog on Saturday, March 26th but I may not be able to considering the long bus ride. If not, postings will resume on Wednesday, March 30th. 

By now Raphael is back in Songea. He took a bus back home on Tuesday.

All has gone well so far. Keep praying everything continues to go smoothly. 

The past few days I have passed some of my time by reading through a book titled Man for Himself. Erich Fromm, a psychoanalyst, is the author. 

A phrase that caught my attention and seemed to apply a bit to my climb was...

"Modern society, in spite of all the emphasis it puts upon happiness, individuality, and self-interest, has taught man to feel that not his happiness is the aim of life, but the fulfillment of his duty to work, or his success. Money, prestige and power have become his incentives and ends. He acts under the illusion that his actions benefit his self-interest, though he actually serves everything else but the interests of his real self" (Page 13).

As I move towards climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro I aim to fulfill one of my self-interests and goals which will bring happiness. Money, prestige, success and power may be important, but we should all chase more the things that will bring our life true joy. Chase your dreams and that which will benefit your real self.

Well, it's about time. I am very excited! A BIG thank you to my Mom and Dad for allowing me this wonderful opportunity. You can rest assured that I will make the most of it.

Chasing dreams. Chasing life.

Here I go! Wish me luck! Onward to Uhuru Peak, Mt. Kilimanjaro! :)

Thanks for reading!