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

This is the latest audio dispatch live from Africa's Mt. Kilimanjaro; the sixth of Alan's 7 Summits climbs. These climbs are to raise Alzheimer's awareness and $1M for research. Please donate today. Climb On! Alan Memories are Everything

As I flew from Amsterdam to the Kilimanjaro airport, I looked out my window of the KLM 777 marveling at the stark contrast of the brown islands against the deep blue of the Aegean Sea. Edges. My (almost) next to the last climb of the 7 Summits Climb for Alzheimer’s: Memories are Everything had begun. I had met two of my teammates, Jeannie and Joe, at Schiphol as they journeyed from the US, now we were on the 8 hour flight to central Africa. I have now seen “edges” on almost all the continents. Sometimes easy transitions from one level continue reading

Kilimanjaro: The roof of Africa; 19,340 feet; one of the world’s highest volcanoes and my 6th climb in the 7 Summits Climb for Alzheimer’s: Memories are Everything. I leave for Africa in a few days. While this climb is considered a “walk-up” in that you climb via well worn trails alongside local porters who carry all your main gear; it is serious high altitude and not to be underestimated. Thus I have continued my training after returning from my last climb; the summit of Europe’s highest Elbrus at 18513′ a few weeks ago. I find Kilimanjaro intriguing not only for continue reading