Kilimanjaro Climb for 22q13 Deletion Foundation - 2007
By Cern Basher
22q13 Support Group Parent

Hi, Kilimanjaro is the tallest free-standing mountain rise in the world, rising 4,600m (15,000 ft) from the base, and includes the highest peak in Africa at 5,895m (19,340 ft), providing the dramatic view from the surrounding plains. Joining me on this climb is my father, and good friends Wendy and Dan. We've trained for months and have begun our challenge.
We are taking part in the Kilimanjaro Climb 2007 to raise money in honor of Dane for 22q13 Deletion Foundation. Dane is one of about 350 people in the world known to be diagnosed with the 22q13 deletion. We would really welcome your support. Please take a moment to sponsor me. No amount is too small. It will all add up to significant funds for the Foundation to support its mission. It's really easy - you can donate online by credit card and receive a record of your donation. It takes a matter of minutes, is totally secure and you can leave a message with your donation too. All donations are secure and sent directly to 22q13 Deletion Foundation. None of the funds raised will be used to pay for the cost of the climb. Please join me in supporting the 22q13 Deletion Foundation and please help us spread the word about our climb and this fundraising effort. Do come back often to read our daily itinerary. Thank you. - Cern
UPDATE: [5/24/07] Cern, Nolan, Wendy, and Dan started the Kilimanjaro climb on Monday, May 21. We now have the first set of photos (evidence that they arrived safely and are on their way to do what they set out to). To see the photos, go to www.22q13climb.com. Be sure to check the website for photo updates about every other day. Thanks to all of you for your donations, kind words, and support. Thus far, you have helped us raise over $33,000 for the 22q13 Deletion Foundation! Keep spreading the word as the fundraising is not over yet! - Cindy Dulaney (wife of Cern; mother of Dane, daughter-in-law of Nolan, and an individual fortunate enough to have such wonderful and caring friends as Wendy and Dan)

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2007 Kilimanjaro Fundraiser Climb Itinerary Lemosho – Lava Tower Route 13 Days/12 Nights (10 Days climbing)

Day 1 & 2 • May 18, 19

FLEW TO MOSHI, TANZANIA We arrived at around 9:30 p.m., and spend the first night at our Hotel in Moshi, the starting point.

Day 3 • MAY 20

MOSHI (2,773 feet) Today we met our guides and had a detailed orientation about our climb. We also did an extensive “gear check”, to make sure we had everything we needed.

Day 4 • MAY 21

LONDOROSSI GATE to MTI MKUBWA (9,163 feet) A three-hour drive from our Moshi Hotel brings us to the Londorossi Park Gate located on the western side of Kilimanjaro. At the gate we check in. We then drive to the trailhead at Lemosho Glades and start our trek through the rain forest. In places the vegetation is so untouched that it grows right across the narrow track. The flora and fauna are richer here than on the other more popular routes through the rain forest. In about 4 hours we reach our camp in the rain forest at Mti Mkubwa (Big Tree).

Day 5 • MAY 22

MTI MKUBWA to SHIRA ONE CAMP (11,520 feet) After breakfast, we start the climb cross the remaining rain forest towards the giant moorland zone. Today is a 6-7 hour trek with an altitude gain of 2,400 ft. After lunch, in a beautiful valley just outside the Shira Crater, we cross into the Shira Caldera, a high altitude desert plateau which is rarely visited. Shira is the third of Kilimanjaro's volcanic cones, and is filled with lava flow from Kibo Peak. The crater rim has been decimated by weather and volcanic action. Today you'll get your first close views of Kibo - the dramatic summit of Kilimanjaro.

Day 6 • MAY 23

SHIRA PLATEAU to MOIR CAMP (13,652 feet) After breakfast we continue our trek east across the Shira Plateau past the Shira Cathedral towards Moir camp. The views of the plateau are nothing less than spectacular. It's about a 6 hour hike to camp. On the way we pass the first of many Giant Senecios, some of Kilimanjaro's other-worldly massive plants. Moir Camp resembles an amphitheater as it sits below a massive lava flow.

Day 7 & 8 • MAY 24, 25

MOIR HUT CAMP to LAVA TOWER (15,210 feet) In this Alpine Moorland Zone, the plants are extremely hardy, and consist of lichens, grasses, and heather among others. Today's hike is about 6-7 hours. We spend two nights here, as part of our acclimatization process. On our free day we will have some fun and take a non-technical scramble up to the top of the Lava Tower rock. We will also take 4 hour round trip acclimatization hike to Arrow Glacier Camp, at 15,925 feet.

Day 9 • MAY 26

LAVA TOWER to KARANGA CAMP (13,229 feet) From Lava Tower, we are trekking mostly downhill today, around Kibo's spectacular south-facing glaciers. The view of the towering peak are spectacular. After descending through the heather and lobelias to 12,800 ft., we climb the Barranco Wall, a massive "rock" 500 feet high. We then descend through the Karanga Valley to our camp up the other side of the valley.

Day 10 • MAY 27

KARANGA CAMP to BARAFU (KOSOVO) CAMP (16,019 feet) From Lava Tower, we are trekking mostly downhill today, around Kibo's spectacular south-facing glaciers. The view of the towering peak are spectacular. After descending through the heather and lobelias to 12,800 ft., we climb the Barranco Wall, a massive "rock" 500 feet high. We then descend through the Karanga Valley to our camp up the other side of the valley.

Day 11 • MAY 28

BARAFU CAMP to CRATER CAMP (18,802 feet) Unlike most companies, who climb this route at night, we climb in the daylight. We slowly wind our way from Barafu for around 7 hours until we reach the edge of the crater floor. You'll be running short of breath here, so we'll give you oxygen, if you need it. There might be snow along this part of the climb, and it's extremely cold, so we dress warmly. The views of the Kibo saddle below Mawenzi Peak are what we came here for. We trek along the inner crater floor to our camp a thousand feet below the summit, and relax after our hard trek.

Day 12 • MAY 29

THE SUMMIT ! – MILLENIUM CAMP (19,340 feet – 12,530 feet) We spend about 2 hours hiking up to Uhuru Peak, the summit. Euphoria, relief, ecstatic, powerful, are just a few words that describe what you're feeling at the top. After the celebration, we head down to our last camp on the mountain, "high" in more ways than one. We hike down to Millennium Camp, (about 8 hours) and your lungs will thank you as you as you breathe the oxygen-rich air. We enjoy a celebration meal, prepared by our cook at camp, and enjoy our last night on Kilimanjaro.

Day 13 • MAY 30

MILLENIUM CAMP to MWEKA GATE to MOSHI (2,773 feet) In the morning we have a four-hour walk down to the road, where we meet our vehicle, and drive a short way back to our hotel. A hot shower and a cold beer await you, before you head off to a well deserved rest in a real bed.

Day 14 • MAY 31 [End]

FLY HOME The climb team made it to the top (and down the mountain) safely! All photos are now on the website at http://www.22q13climb.com/Pages/Home.aspx - Cindy (mother of Dane Basher)