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Climbing the World to End Alzheimer's

Climbing Memories Week 1

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Oct 182015
 
Climbing Memories Week 1

As I climb the world to end Alzheimer’s, I have taken literally thousands of photographs. I am posting many on Facebook over the next few months and will do a weekly summary post here on my site. I hope you enjoy them. Mt. Vinson, Antarctica This is one of my favorite memories from Antarctica’s Mt. Vinson at 16,050’/4892m in December 2010. We were approaching the summit using the so-called right-hand variation lead by IMG legend Phil Ershler. I documented the moment in my trip report: “ … we made steady progress to the next ridge where we meandered around jutting rock continue reading

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, try 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 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, ambulance we flew from Arusha to the small Seronera Airstrip on the Serengeti. There a modified 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

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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, search 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, search 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 continue reading

Summit: Audio Dispatch from Mt. Kilimanjaro

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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: [Audio clip: view full post 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

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, mind 250′ So I sit on this wet rock with a heavy fog all around. I will keep this continue reading

Higher on Kilimanjaro

 1 Response »
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…

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