My life is a little different than most and I’m incredibly fortunate to be alive. After battling 2 deadly cancers and a prognosis of 14 DAYS to live, I decided life is too short and I wanted to give back. Grape-Nuts is doing that as well, and they’re looking for some other amazing people who want to do something incredible. Mountains and what I do physically are a metaphor for hope and inspiration. What do you want to do to help others, to be amazing, to give back? I’m really happy to be involved with a company that is helping others and giving YOU a chance at winning $5000 so you can start your dream-project. There isn’t much time (ends in a couple weeks), so PLEASE enter by visiting the Grape-Nuts Facebook Page and share your inspirational story and ideas of what YOU can do to help make a difference in the world.…http://t.co/8VgkQPJn

I was actually sitting down eating a bowl of Grape-Nuts the other day and out of the blue I got an email asking if I’d be involved with the same cereal I was shoving in my pie hole! Weird how things work out sometimes huh?

Anyhow, Grape-Nuts told me they’re launching a program to encourage and help others achieve the extraordinary. 4 incredible people (me included) are going to inspire you to follow your own dreams with the chance to win $5000 to do just that… make YOUR “extraordinary” happen. I’ve been picked to be a judge in the whole process and I’m lucky enough to help someone else from achieve that dream! Check it out and let me know what you think. The contest runs from Jan 7th to Feb 3rd so get your entry in soon!! http://goo.gl/eUMem

Would LOVE your thoughts…. info@cancerclimber.org

DISPATCH 7 (Saturday morning, 21 July 2012)

Sean made the call at 7:45am Saturday morning, and he and the Team were standing on the summit of Kibo…Congratulations to all!

After enjoying the summit for about a half hour, he and the Team should have headed back to Camp 4 and then to Mweka Camp.  We have not heard anything more from Sean since the summit, but we’re confident all is well and they are most likely in their tents and asleep now.  Summit day is a grueling day and a lot happens from Camp 4, up to the summit, back down to Camp 4, and then finally to Mweka Camp, so we are not too concerned about not hearing from Sean.  Plus, Mweka Camp is situated in the rain forest region on Kili and the sat phone signal may not be strong enough to send out any messages.

After they wake up in the morning and have breakfast, Sean and the Team will hike the final 3 hours to Mweka Park Gate where Sean will sign everyone off the mountain, they’ll take a bus down through the coffee plantations, and finally return to the hotel in Moshi.  After a long warm shower, a late lunch, and possible dip in the hotel pool, everyone (including the Guides and Porters) will get together and celebrate the experience they all shared together.  At this time, Sean will give the Team their Certificates of Achievement to forever document their effort and accomplishment on Kilimanjaro.

Congrats to all on a job WELL done…Kuche Kuche!

Tomorrow they’ll start the safari through the Serengeti.

Hopefully Sean can get the BGAN working on the correct modem when in Moshi, and if so he’ll upload the videos from their time on Kili during the safari.  Keep an eye on his Facebook Page and this BLOG Page for these.

DISPATCH 6 (Friday evening, 20 July 2012)

We are happy to report the entire Team made it to Barafu Camp (Camp 4)!  Similar to yesterday, all communication from Sean was via text messaging.  This time it was high winds at Camp 4.  The winds are nothing to be concerned about, and are only an annoyance and not detrimental to the hike to the summit.  Just to be sure all communication was clear and not misunderstood, Sean opted to text today’s dispatch.

“At Barafu…all are here! Windy as (fill in the blank).  Will start summit push at midnight.  All are doing well, & still having FUN.  Will send another dispatch either from summit, when back at Camp 4, or when we are at Mweka Huts (Camp 5). Keep us in your thoughts!”

DISPATCH 5 (Thursday evening, 19 July 2012)

Day 3 (Shira Plateau to Barranco Huts via Lava Tower) is complete, and everyone is happy to be at Camp 3 (Barranco Huts)!  This leg of the trek is harder than the previous two.  The Team reached an altitude of 16,000 feet (the dreaded altitude at which the average person will feel how their body reacts to altitude), and we’re happy to report NO PROBLEMS!  After reaching this altitude, they hiked down to 12,600 to Camp 3.  Doing this acclimatizes the body, and prepares it for tomorrow’s even harder trek up to Camp 4 (Barafu Huts) at around 16,500 feet.  Camp 4 is the last Camp before Summit Day. The Team will leave Camp 4 just before midnight their time, hike through the night to Stella Point (the crater rim), rest here for 15 minutes and drink some warm tea, and then hike the last few hundred vertical feet to Uruhu Peak (The Roof of Africa) and summit around 9am their time!

After reaching Camp 3, The Team had another hearty dinner and turned in for the night quite early…everyone was in their tents by 8pm.

Since Camp 3 is situated in a valley, the satellite phone signal is weak.  Sean had to correspond with us via text messaging only (160 characters at a time).  The Team wishes to send Thanks & special shout outs to: Leigh B; Coley-Brigid-Karen; Karen and Dave; Yurani and Bbry; Jules; Kira; Kim M; Mom and Dad Bingham; Kelly C; Tom R; Seth S; Ann K; Jeri-Bill and Fam; MS; WSC Enrollment; KTC; Jess; Shanna; and Erin.

For the members of last year’s Team following this year’s progress, Sean said the jagger-bush at the entrance to Camp 3 that “got” a certain someone last year is still there and sends its regards – haha!

That’s all from Camp 3.  Keep the sat phone messages coming in, and The Team said this is keeping them from not feeling too homesick and everyone’s messages are encouraging them to Keep Climbing!