Click for site home
The Blog on alanarnette.com
Climbing the World to End Alzheimer's

Kilimanjaro 2011 Final Trip Report

 1 Response »
Sep 292011
 
Kilimanjaro 2011 Final Trip Report

Glacier from Kili’s Summit Kilimanjaro was all I expected and much, much more. The climb itself was not the hardest but the descent was amongst the toughest when I twisted my ankle and had to be carried down from 15,000′. In my normal manner for all my climbs I have added a few pages to my site to document the expedition: Kilimanjaro 2011 Trip Report with videos Kilimanjaro FAQ Kilimanjaro and Serengeti Photo Gallery In spite of the last few hours of difficulty, the overall climb was good albeit a bit rainy and cloudy for over half of it. But continue reading


The Serengeti Big 5

 1 Response »
Sep 232011
 
The Serengeti Big 5

Appreciating the opportunity to let my ankle rest after the severe sprain high on Kilimanjaro, I looked out the window of our Land Cruiser along with 5 of my teammates; the views simply stopped me cold. Deep down I had always wanted to go on a safari in Africa but never thought I would have the opportunity. So with Kilimanjaro on my 7 Summits Climb for Alzheimer’s agenda, and a short safari offered as an option; the opportunity presented itself. After our Kilimanjaro summit, we flew from Arusha to the small Seronera Airstrip on the Serengeti. There a modified Land continue reading


World Alzheimer’s Day from Kilimanjaro

 1 Response »
Sep 212011
 
World Alzheimer's Day from Kilimanjaro

As I leave our climb of Kilimanjaro, I wanted to send this special message today, World Alzheimer’s Day, September 21st. November is national Alzheimer’s month for an urgent reason: Alzheimer’s is growing faster than we are making progress on a cure. When I first started the 7 Summits Climb for Alzheimer’s in December 2010, every 70 seconds a new case was diagnosed in the United States; today it is every 69 seconds. The cost of caring for an individual in a facility has also grown dramatically from the $5,000 a month required for my mother a few years ago to continue reading


Brief KIlimanjaro Summit Recap

 8 Responses »
Sep 202011
 
Brief KIlimanjaro Summit Recap

While climbing Kilimanjaro was not the most difficult of my climbing life, getting down was perhaps in the top three! We made the summit is good time and style after leaving the Barafu Camp at 15,000′ around midnight. The climb to the summit crater rim was mostly in mild temperatures with clear skies and obviously in the dark. As the sun rose over Mawenzi, the adjacent excitement volcano and and part of the Kilimanjaro structure, we enjoyed almost perfect climbing conditions. The climb was on scree and dirt trails that switch backed endlessly reminding me of some of Colorado’s long continue reading


Summit: Audio Dispatch from Mt. Kilimanjaro

 13 Responses »
Sep 182011
 
Summit: Audio Dispatch from Mt. Kilimanjaro

I summited Kilimanjaro on September 19, 2011. It was a great climb. Read the full trip report for all the details. This is the audio dispatch I posted live from the summit; the 6th of my 7 Summits climbs. Click to listen: These climbs are to raise Alzheimer’s awareness and $1M for research. I lost my mom and two aunts to Alzheimer’s. Please join me to end Alzheimer’s by making a donation today. Read the details. Climb On! Alan Memories are Everything Tweet


Leaving for Kilimanjaro summit in 9 hours!

Sep 172011
 
Leaving for Kilimanjaro summit in 9 hours!

Barafu Camp, 15020 feet; the last camp before the summit. The team pulled into camp in good style around 1:00.During a lunch of watermelon, oranges, grilled cheese sandwiches and soup; Eben reviewed the summit plan. We will wake up and have ‘breakfast’…


The Rains of Kilimanjaro

 1 Response »
Sep 172011
 
The Rains of Kilimanjaro

Yesterday ended with low clouds and today was full of rain. However we successfully climbed the Baranco Wall, 800 feet of moderate rock scrambling made even more difficult with wet, smooth surfaces. The entire team took this on as a challenge and performed extremely well With the lack of sun all my normal tools – Sat phone and portable computer have dead batteries. I am sending this from my iPhone!! We have EDGE service here at the Karanga Camp at 13,250′ So I sit on this wet rock with a heavy fog all around. I will keep this short to continue reading


Higher on Kilimanjaro

Sep 142011
 
Higher on Kilimanjaro

Day 2 on Kilimanjaro. We left the protection of the rain forest for the in-between land between trees and rock. The clouds played with us all day giving us a teasing glance at our ultimate goal.As the low clouds moved across the Shira Plateau, it becam…


Kilimanjaro’s Rain Forest

Sep 132011
 
Kilimanjaro's Rain Forest

We had a great day trekking to the Machame Camp on Kilimanjaro today.The day began with a quick breakfast then about an hour drive to the Machame Gate. The slow drizzle at the hotel had increased to a driving rain as we checked in with the park officia…


 Older Entries