Sue floated the idea of climbing Kilimanjaro in the spring of 2024. And while I was an immediate "Yes, please!" I'll be the first to admit I didn't know what I didn't know.
A hundred YouTube vids later, I know enough to motivate myself into planning well, training diligently and I can now flip-flop with stunning regulatory and ease between excitement and anxiety!
Preparing for a summit hike up Kilimanjaro has added the following to my life in the past year:
- Falling in love with new hiking boots then having to replace them and falling in love with new, new boots!
- Trail training in all seasons and weather
- Gear purchases and testing
- Acclimatization practice
- Snack experimentation
- Sleeping in car at trailhead - sometimes as high as 12,000'
- Choosing the right company to guide and support us
- Travel and Insurance purchased
- Vaccinations and travel meds procured
- Packing practice
- Elevating my photography game
- Take a webinar on foot care... Uh-huh...
- Lurking around the FB group and digesting the Kili-crowd wisdom
- The acquisition of a new (travel focused) credit card for the first time since 2005!
- Breathe. I literally learned to breathe better!
If I'm being honest, I had forgotten what an amazingly beautiful state I live in. Somewhere along the way in the last 20 years I had started taking for granted it's geography, wildlife and incredible availability. If this year has taught me nothing else, it has to be that the leadership and stewards of Colorado that came before me, put in place protections that continue to provide us normal folk with a preserved playground that is second to none... and mostly free! The magnitude of this gift is often overlooked.
Some highlights from training hikes include...
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| Mountain goats on Mt Bierstadt |
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| Hiking with Maddie and Sue |
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| Chicago Lakes |
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| Sunrise at Kite Lake Trailhead |
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| Mt Democrat Summit |
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| Decalibron Trail |
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| Early morning on Mt Belford |
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| Final push up Mt Huron |
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| Missouri Gulch at dawn |
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| View from Mt Belford |
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| View from Mt Huron |
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| Pika cuteness! |
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| Quandary Trail |
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| Ypsilon Lake Trail |
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| Big Horn Sheep in RMNP |
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| Elk |
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| Marmot |
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| The snowman of Trail Ridge Rd |
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| Hiking Trail Ridge Rd in Winter |
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| Walker Ranch Loop |
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| Flagstaff Mtn drive |
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| Mt Sherman |
Here's the part where I over-share a few surprising must-haves so feel free to look away:
1. Pee Conch!
Ladies, this little device takes away the only reason we'd ever have penis-envy; standing up to pee! Will I need it? Not sure. I really think I might have agreed to flush my dignity down the loo just by signing up to hike above tree-line for days on end anyway.
2. Handy Hanky!
Pinning a bandana to the strap of my pack means I can wipe the drips from my cold nose easily and save from having a wet tissue cuddled up next to my gin-gins in a pocket. It may not be the visual you want or deserve, but I think the visual of a crusty or drippy nose is worse.
3. Toe Gel Caps!
They look weird but feel ok. And when I'm hiking 10,000' downhill in one day, I believe they can only help to protect my toenails from damage.
Things that I didn't know I needed but now don't leave home without:
1. Gin-Gin's (super strength)
30% fresh ginger cooked into caramel candies. Leaves a spicy little burn in the mouth and tells the stomach to calm down enough so it doesn't protest other calories being stuffed in at altitude. Used Amazon to buy through The Ginger People's Store.
2. Sun Gloves
Not only protecting hands from sun damage as I hike with poles, but keeping them a bit cleaner too! Fingerless and thin, they allow for picture taking and don't result in sweaty hands. I think mine are Outdoor Research brand.
3. Liquid IV
I fast-track my hydration the day before a hike and don't drive my car away from a long hike without drinking a liter of this after coming down from 13000+ feet. (Fatique, brain fog and dehydration are not compatible with responsible driving!) Costco has the best price on this.
That's it for now. I might have another 14er in me this month but as the days get shorter and the mornings get icier, the plan was always to take it back down to 13,000' in September, while ramping up the bike, squats and local hikes done more frequently. And just as October approaches, I'll enter my rest phase ... a break from physcial stress, reducing the chances of getting sick or injured just prior to travel.
"Stick to the plan" has worked out well so far and I hope to stay the course all the way to Tanzania!
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