Final Message from your Translator

I’m so sorry that circumstances beyond my control prevented me from continuing the translation of the Team Kili-2012 blog, just as things were getting exciting.

By now, you will have spoken to your family members or friends who were in the team and heard a first-hand account of the adventure. If not, you will have gathered that the ascent was a success, in spite of being tougher than expected and that the safari was thrilling, to say the least.

To see all the pictures, go to the French blog.

Pamela Gauvin

Coming soon

Sorry my fellow friends.  Our official translator is gone fishing for a few days.  But she will be back soon and the translation of this blog will go on.

Thank you for your patience.

Your Resident Reporter is Back

By André Lachapelle



Hi to all our faithful readers.

Your resident reporter, André Lachapelle, is back.

As you know, Team Kili-2012 is leaving in a few days for the grand adventure. And it'll be my job to let you know where they are and how they're getting on.

I'll try to be as objective a journalist as possible but it won't be easy. You may know that I was supposed to be with them but life decided otherwise and I had to withdraw. I still hope to go one day.

So, how will the news get to you?

I'll be able to communicate with the team by satellite phone and put up-to-date news on the blog.

So don't go too far away, find a comfortable chair, some chips or ... broccoli and, with me, live vicariously.

One thing's obvious - all the team members are in a state of nervous excitement. Not stressed out exactly but on edge, to say the least. All those who are with them during these last few days can feel it.

Checking the luggage for the nth time to be sure they've forgotten nothing - frankly, we're all a bit fed up with hearing about it all the time....

But I understand -  you wouldn't want arrive at the foot of the highest mountain in Africa and discover that you'd left your hiking boots in Montreal. Laugh if you want but you know as well as I do that it can happen so easily.

So, no question of leaving you in the dark for three whole weeks.
I promise to be a faithful and regular reporter, bringing you news of the expedition nearly every day.

A final note: the French blog has been visited over 9000 times since it was started, with people as far away as Argentina consulting it. The English blog has had more than 700 visitors. And that's the truth!

So, on Monday, Labour Day, send an e-mail to all your family, friends, acquaintances and colleagues and ask them to pass the message on and to visit the blog regularly. 9000 visits? We can double that number by the time our adventurers are home again.


Translated by Pamela Gauvin

Goodbye For Now, Dear Friends!

By Isabelle Privé


Our goodbyes started on Thursday with a 5 to 7 (4 to 6, actually) at the office. We wanted to thank all those who had encouraged us throughout our 18 months of preparation, all those who had helped us in various ways: help with training, financial support, project promotion, moral support and all sorts of practical help. They have all made our adventure so much easier and satisfying.

We were surprised and touched by the number of people who came to encourage us and to tell us how proud they were of us, how proud of all we've accomplished leading up to the great day.
The evening was full of emotion - joy, pride and nervous excitement. Even a few tears!

It really warmed our hearts to realize that everyone is behind us and will be thinking of us throughout the adventure. We'll be uplifted by their support throughout the difficult moments ahead.

Today, the last day of work, the feeling continued. What a day! Full of encouraging words, signs of affection and even of admiration from our colleagues.

We were touched to see how much our accomplishments were noticed and how much they have touched others. Whether it was for our voluntary work, our fund-raising efforts or our training, we received recognition from those who had noticed and been moved.

My heart was full of joy at the end of the day. Our adventure gives us some really wonderful moments.

Thanks to the Desjardins family for your support, your kindness and your affection. We'll carry all this marvellous energy with us in our luggage - there's still a little room left!

Till we meet again...........

Translated by Pamela Gauvin

Countdown - One Week Left!

By Isabelle Privé


We're nearly there!

What do you do a week before departure? You weigh your luggage!! The maximum accepted by the porters is 30lbs.

That's not much, 30lbs! But you have to be careful because you'll have to carry any excess in your own backpack.

Ouf!

How do you feel, a week from the great day?

Excited, nervous about the idea of leaving for Africa in a week's time. Nervous about the coming adventure. Nervous because of all that remains to be done:

 - finish packing,
 - take the 2nd dose of Dukoral,
 - make sure that everything will go smoothly at home during your absence,
 - spend time with family and friends for the last time before leaving,
 - make a few final purchases,
 - finish packing (finally),
 - check plane ticket, passport and visas, medication, lists,
 - go to vote,
 - go to the last training sessions (more for stress management than actual training),
 - get some sleep - or at least try!

Sure I'm nervous!

On December 30th 2010 when I replied to an announcement on the office electronic notice board, I never dreamt that I would get to this point - a week from realising a crazy dream with my 17 Kili friends.

Have a good week, everyone. And carry on reading our blog!

Translated by Pamela Gauvin

OUR ITINERARY

By Nathalie Roussin

DAYS 1 and 2 - MOSHI

3251 ft / 990 m

Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro Airport we transfer to our hotel. We spend two nights in Moshi to recover from our journey and meet the team who will be accompanying us on the mountain. After breakfast, a tour of Moshi is planned, including the markets, and we'll be able to absorb some local color.


DAY 3 - MOSHI to LONDOROSSI PARK

2360 m   -   1-2 hours trek

As soon as we arrive at the Kilimanjaro National Park, we register at the Londorossi entrance on the west side of the mountain. The day's walk is relatively short as we have a 4 hour drive to the start of the track. We spend the night at a camp in the depths of the tropical forest.


DAY 4 - LONDOROSSI PARK to CAMP MKUBWA

2900 m    -    2.1 miles/ 3.4 km    -    3-4 hours trek

Today we trek along a little-used path through the forest. In places, the vegetation is so dense that it covers the track. It is richer in flora and fauna than the other more popular routes. We camp at Camp Mkubwa (Big Tree).


DAY 5 - CAMP MKUBWA to CAMP SHIRA-I - PLATEAU

3500 m   -    5.6 miles/ 9 km   -    7-8 hours trek

This is the last day in the jungle. The climate and temperature change near the end of the route. We reach the Shira Plateau and find a drastic change in the vegetation. The sky should be fairly clear all day,  giving us a view of Kenya and several neighbouring summits.



DAY 6 - CAMP SHIRA-I to CAMP SHIRA-II

3840 m    -    2.5 miles/ 4 km   -    3-4 hours trek

After breakfast, we leave the forest glades and cross the Shira Caldera, a bare, high altitude plateau, a complete contrast to the tropical forest. Shira is the third largest volcanic crater on Kilimanjaro, filled with lava from the Kibo peak. The elements and volcanic action have destroyed the rim of the crater. Today we have our first close-up view of Kibo.



DAY 7 - CAMP SHIRA-II to CAMP BARRANCO VIA LAVA TOWER

3950 m   -    7.8 miles/ 12.5 km   -    8 hours trek

Today is one of the most difficult as a good part of it is uphill. We enter the Lava Tower area which is spectacular. We reach the highest point of the day at 4630 m, before coming down again through the Giant Senecio forest to Camp Barranco for the night. It's an important day for acclimatising ourselves to the conditions. Here is where the Machame and Lemosho routes converge.



DAY 8 - CAMP BARRANCO to CAMP KARANGA

4023 m   -    3.1 miles/5 km   -   5 hours trek

Our biggest challenge is climbing the Barranco wall, a 500 ft stream of lava. Once at the top, the trek gets easier with a fantastic view over the rocks and crevasses of the broken Kibo peaks on the left. Eventually we descend the Karanga valley on the other side where we camp for the night. The sunset is spectacular as are the views of Mounts Meru and Kilimanjaro.



DAY 9 - CAMP KARANGA to BARAFU

4633 m   -   3.1 miles/5 km   -   4 hours trek

"Barafu" means ice in Wahili. The slopes are very rocky and abrupt at Camp Barafu and the wind reminds us that we're at a high altitude. There's excitement in the air as the climbers near the great day. The clouds shift constantly, umveiling the eroded Mawenzi crater, colored by the African sun. No doubt about it, this is the most beautiful camp.



DAY 10 - CAMP BARAFU to UHURU PEAK and back to CAMP BARAFU

THE SUMMIT: 19340 ft/5895 m   -   3.8 miles/6 km   -   6-8 hours trek

The day starts before sunrise. We pack everything we need for the day and push on towards the summit. During the climb, we have an unbeatable view of Mawenzi, Kibo and the plains. Progress is slow but steady. Once we get to Stella Point at 5685 m, we can almost taste victory. There's only about 1 hour to go before touching the famous sign at the SUMMIT. Afterwards, we descend slowly for 3½ hours along rocky outcrops and across scree until we reach our camp where welcome mugs of hot tea await us.



DAY 11 - CAMP BARAFU to CAMP MWEKA

3170 m   -   3.75 miles/6 km   -   4 hours trek

Another day starts in this paradise. We take time to soak up the scenery of the summit before descending to Camp Mweka where we make the most of our last night on Kilimanjaro.



DAY 12 - CAMP MWEKA to MWEKA LOOKOUT and back to MOSHI

1700 m   -   5.3 miles/8.5 km   -   3-4 hours trek

This morning we have about 3 hours walking to get to the exit from the park. Our transport is waiting to return us to the hotel where everyone can enjoy a well-deserved shower and a good cold beer. Bliss....., you have my word for it. In the evening there's a special supper to celebrate our adventure. Other surprises are planned - we'll tell you about them when we get home.



DAY 13 - LAST NIGHT AT THE HOTEL

We make the most of the swimming pool and a well-deserved rest in our comfortable hotel. Tomorrow we leave on SAFARI.



Translated by Pamela Gauvin

SAFARI

By Nathalie Roussin

A five day adventure safari takes us to Tanzania's most beautiful wild regions. Lake Manyara is ideal for bird-watching, with hundreds of different species. Ngorongoro is the largest crater in the world and a unique wildlife reserve with elephants, lions, leopards, cheetahs, hyenas and rhinoceros.
Tarangire is a magnificent park whose vegetation includes baobobs and acacias. It's a good place too for photographing zebras, elephants, giraffe and antilope.
During our safari, we'll have the privilege and pleasure of visiting the SERENGETI - one of the most famous parks in the world.

Day 1 - From Moshi to Lake Manyara

Day 2 - Serengeti game drive (a tour in an open roofed 4 x 4!)

Day 3 - Serengeti game drive

Day 4 - Serengeti and Ngorongoro  - visite to a Masai village

Day 5 - Ngorongoro and Moshi - morning game drive to the Ngorongoro crater.

SAFARI  -  LET'S GO!!!

Translated by Pamela Gauvin

Mounts Jefferson & Washington - Part 2

By Isabelle Privé

Here's the second part of my article about our weekend on Mounts Jefferson and Washington.

Last night, after a huge meal, a lot of laughter and some great beer, we walked to the lodge at the foot of Mount Washington, ready for an early start. A quick shower then bed!

I'm up at 6h30 and join the others in the dining-room where a good breakfast awaits us. I realise that I'm not the only one to have discovered new muscles!

We're all a bit anxious as we still feel tired from yesterday. Although Mathieu our leader told us that the climb would be " less technical" than Mount Jefferson, I have a feeling "less technical" doesn't necessarily mean "easier".

Whatever .... we're off!

After walking for 10 minutes, we start to climb. Up and up and up! After a few hours, I start hearing  muttering.... "I'm sick of climbing"...."Me too".... "I thought it was supposed to be easier"......"Sure"....

Happily, a few minutes later, we come on an incredible panorama!

Another half hour and it's the lunch break. What a magnificent view. Honestly, when you see all that, you feel privileged to be able to experience it with your friends.

Off again!

We take a rocky path, often on the edge of a precipice. We're still climbing but the path isn't as steep as Mount Jefferson. Our goal isn't to reach the top but, rather, to go round the ravine then come down. Nevertheless, it's a much longer hike than yesterday.

The sky is beginning to cloud over. Never mind, we're prepared, with our "Goretex" coats and pants. We're cheerful and optimistic. All is well.

Suddenly we come on an area covered with little piles of stones left by other hikers over the years. They're everywhere - it's magnificent. Yet again the scenery enchants us.

Then I hear... "I just felt a spot of rain"...."Me too" from someone else.

We don't have time to say any more before the rain pelts down.  A real cloud burst! No time to put on our coats or pants. The wind has got up and buffets us mercilessly. In no time at all, my boots are full of water. The wind is so strong that we can't tell if it's rain or hail that's stinging our faces.

Important lesson: raincoats and pants should be easily accessible!

Mathieu doesn't hesitate and decides to turn back as we're on a part of the mountain that can be dangerous in bad conditions.

When the rain stops, we rest long enough to dry ourselves a bit, change our socks and put on a tuque (yes, a tuque) because the wind is strong and it's cold.

We take a shorter route for the return. Shorter also means steeper than the ascent and, unlike yesterday, the rocks are wet and much more difficult to negotiate.

We descend for about a kilometer, in groups of 4-5 again. We encourage, help and wait for each other and laugh in spite of everything, But we're finding it really hard.

At last, we get to more level ground along a dried-up river bed. We still have to be very careful on the large stones that go on for 5 km.

Personally, I find this part of our return harder than anything that went before. My muscles have had enough and my feet are so sore.

We're aching all over and the route seems endless. It's going on forever. The only thing that keeps me going is the company of my team-mates. I know I'm not alone. Special thanks to Lucie who sticks with me right to the end. And thanks to André who finds a spring to fill my water bottle.

I'm not ashamed to say that I broke down when I saw my friends who had arrived at the bottom already and were there to welcome us. The tears were spontaneous. Tears of exhaustion, of pride and of relief to have reached the end.

The second day was long.... and very wearing! But so very rewarding as well.

Later, Mathieu confided that we had just experienced something similar to the long days of walking that we'll be doing on Kilimanjaro.

Our adventure ended with another feast with the gang in a restaurant. We've passed our hardest test. Another successful step before the great adventure. The last important step before getting the plane to Tanzania.

I'm so happy to have been fortunate enough to have this experience and to have pushed myself beyond anything I thought possible. To have confronted my fears and to have surmounted them. To have seen such extraordinary scenery. And especially to have done it with my friends.

Kilimanjaro... here we come!

Translated by Pamela Gauvin

Mounts Jefferson and Washington - what an adventure! Part 1

By Isabelle Privé

We're now 50 days away from the great adventure.

I want to tell you about our weekend up Mounts Jefferson and Washington and, as I have lots to say, my article will be in two parts.



Climbing Mounts Jefferson and Washington two weeks ago was a test of endurance and mental and physical strength amid breathtaking scenery.

Up at 3h30 am to be ready for my lift to the meeting point. Everybody's there! Hugs all round. The whole gang together at last. Yes! Even Nadine is with us after a long convalescence following her knee surgery in January. Let's go Wong!

We leave in a procession of 6 cars - the journey begins.
We've known about this trip for over a year.

An hour's wait at customs - a drawback of going to the USA.

So, we get to Mount Jefferson at 11h00 and we're ready to set off.
Personally, I've no idea what's in store. Only one thing to say - it's steep! Very steep!

Mount Jefferson tests our muscles to the limit. I think about my trainers Hermann and Dany who made me suffer through boot camp and interval running and I'm so grateful because my muscles hurt so badly, worse and worse and, when I look ahead, I realise there's still a very long way to go. I'm pleased with myself too for training so hard and always pushing myself to do more. Learning to live with burning muscles and learning to trust your body has turned out to be a valuable lesson.

The mental challenge is just as daunting. When there are no more trees and you have to climb rocky mountain slopes. Our walking poles are no use and we have to depend on our hands and feet. You have to relax, breath and stay concentrated as you can always slip. You have to resist the instinct to look back and imagining what would happen if you fell.

Fortunately all that is offset by magic moments when you are absorbed by the beauty of the scenery - the Appalachians as far as you can see. You feel completely one with nature, with the beauty of the universe. It still gives me goose bumps!

On we go! Burning muscles. Concentrate. One step at a time. Another psychological hurdle: the mountain doesn't go up in a straight line with the summit always in sight. You think you see the summit - get that far and it's over. But -  as soon as you get there, there's another one. I think Mount Jefferson had 4 summits! Each time I had to dig deeper to find the energy to carry on.

Another thing I learn: you can actually talk to your muscles! Really! At the 3rd summit, my muscles have been telling me for a good hour that they can't go on any longer. I then realise that there's a 4th summit and maybe more after. So I get mad and say to my muscles "Just shut up and move!" Well, I could swear that all the pain went away. I believe that's what sportsmen call breaking through the wall. And that's how I got through mine.

At last  - the final summit! What joy! What pride! All the pain, the fear, the exhaustion are forgotten!
Victory!

Then you remember you have to come down again. Ouch!

If the ascent was difficult, the descent is just as bad. Perfect concentration is needed just to keep your balance on the rocks. Every ounce of strength and agility is essential for climbing from one rock to another all the way down.

That's when the collective strength of the team comes into play. We're in small groups of 2, 3 or 4. We encourage each other, saying that no-one is alone. We try not to show our exhaustion, knowing that everybody's just as tired. We laugh to take our mind off things, we encourage and support each other. I don't know why but the way back seems so much longer that the outward climb.

Finally - we're down! It's about 6 pm. We collapse and take off our boots. Oh for some flip-flops!

Next up - food!

Honestly, the best beer in the world is the one you drink after a day up a mountain.

That was just our first day. Mount Washington is still to come.......

Translated by Pamela Gauvin

85 Days to Departure

By Isabelle Privé

As I write, a group of  Kiliens is training on Mont-Royal. Unable to be there, I'm using the time to share my feelings 85 days before departure.

In 85 days, we'll be on the plane to Tanzania for the experience we've been dreaming about for over 17 months.

During these months of dreaming about Kilimanjaro, we've read about it, we've discussed it with people who've been there, we've watched videos about it. In spite of all that, I still feel as if I'm setting out into the unknown although I also feel as if the period of preparation is ending.

Of course, there's still plenty to do before reaching the start of the adventure. For me, that will be when I'm actually sitting on the plane. We have Mounts Jefferson and Washington to climb at the end of June. There are still purchases to be made. We have to maintain our fitness right up till the last minute. But the path that was so uncertain at the beginning is now becoming a reality.

Let me explain myself. When I answered the call to participate in the Kilimanjaro project, I was literally jumping into the unknown. I didn't have the money to finance the trip, I had practically no experience in mountain trekking, I wasn't in bad shape but was far from being fit enough for such an undertaking. All I had was a small voice telling me that I had to go, that it was the right time and that I'd find a way to succeed.

My inner voice continued to talk to me and to guide me through the adventure. When we decided to add voluntary work to the project, I had to make a conscious decision to commit to it. I wasn't a born voluntary worker. Like everyone else, I didn't have time. But the voice said "Go for it". That's what I did and I discovered something truly magical with the joy and pride you feel when you give your time for someone else.

When we decided to create a blog, I was reminded how much I love writing and how I could make the most of such an opportunity to get back into it. Another risk -  but I'm so happy each time I publish an article on the blog.

I can't even begin to tell you about all I've accomplished in improving my fitness. Only 3 years ago, I smoked like a chimney, was 20 lbs overweight and did nothing for my heart. It's a leap of faith each time I go for a training session and push my muscles further than I ever thought possible.

Each time I decided to listen to my inner voice, I discovered fantastic strengths, people and experiences. I'm no longer the same person I was before signing up for Kilimanjaro 2012. The project has changed me for ever. So, when I said that I felt I was coming to the end of the preparations, I meant that I felt that I had gone the limit with each opportunity that the project gave me. I feel that I've lived the joys and difficulties of each step to the full.




I'm ready! I'm longing to set out for the unknown on the mountain. I'm ready to live the adventure with my friends from Team Kili-2012.

That's how I feel with 85 days to go!




Translated by Pamela Gauvin

Countdown - 4 Months!

By Isabelle Privé


That's right! Only 4 months to go! The time is really flying! Our preparations, fund-raising, volunteer work and training have been going on for 14 months already and we're more motivated than ever to carry on till we reach (we hope) the top of Kilimanjaro.

Volunteer work

On Saturday April 28th, six girls from the team met up to participate, with over 1000 runners, in the second edition of the 5 km ARATED-M  Autism Marathon. Socializing and raising awareness about autism and PDD (pervasive developmental disorder) were the order of the day. The team is always proud to participate in these activities and to encourage the organizers who are so devoted to their different causes. Our next volunteer activities: Accueil Bonneau on May 6th, the Dystrowalk on May 12th and Relais Pour la Vie in Deux-Montagnes on June 1st.

Training

We are persevering with individual and group training. Some are sticking religiously to their weekly Sunday stair-climbing on Mont-Royal (Keep it up, Richard!). For others, it's jogging, boxing, boot camp, stairs, cycling, kung-fu, ellipticals, mountain trekking - anything goes if it helps to improve fitness and get us up Kilimanjaro! We are at the most intensive stage of our training and we're accomplishing a lot of steps on the way to the summit!



Translated by Pamela Gauvin

Second Organik Conference - Life After Kili

By Isabelle Privé

For the second time, Team Kili-2012 has enjoyed a conference by a member of the Organik team.

Organik is a company dedicated to promoting health in the workplace. It has brought together a group of specialists in health, sport, nutrition, relaxation, meditation, yoga and others. It decided to support our group with help and advice and, this time, with a conference by Julie Marchand, a sports trainer and physical fitness specialist.

Julie shared her personal experience, her enthusiasm and her passion, not only for sport but for life itself. She brought up a subject that's rarely talked about during the preparation for an expedition like Kilimanjaro - life after Kilimanjaro - what will happen to us afterwards.

People who have experienced an expedition like ours often say "It'll change your life" or "You're not the same when you come back". What exactly do they mean? What's it like in real life?

"When you're there, you become your real self. You're no longer the mother, the spouse, the friend, the child, the neighbour, the employee of....... It's one of the rare times in life when you're quite simply yourself. And that's what changes your life forever."

During all the turmoil of the preparations for the trip, having to cope with passport, training, dates, family and the race against time, you don't realise that you're setting out on an adventure that will change your life.  You don't realise that you're jumping into the unknown and that, however well you're prepared, you can never be completely ready for the actual experience or for the way in which it will transform you.

We're all taken up with our daily lives and the society in which we live. We all have bills to pay, family, friends, work to accomplish. We must all get up each morning and do what's necessary to get on in life, stay fit, grow and be happy. I've realised, thanks to this meeting with Julie, that, when we climb on board the plane, we'll be leaving all that behind for the duration of the expedition.

What will happen over there? I've no idea. How will we experience it all? I've no idea. How will the trip change us? No idea! All I know is that I've found a deeper reason for living this crazy experience to the full together with this wonderful group of people - Team Kili-2012.

Thank you, Julie, for sharing your experience and your wisdom. Thank you, Organik, for organising the conference.

Another step on the way to the summit!!

Translated by Pamela Gauvin

Kilimanjaro - Some Facts

By Isabelle Privé

Over the past year, we've been telling you about our project. Now here are some facts about Kilimanjaro itself.
(Reference:  Wikipedia )

Kilimanjaro is the highest mountain in Africa, situated in the north-east of Tanzania. Called "Shining Mountain" in Swahili, it's composed of one dormant volcano cone: Kibo, whose peak, Uhuru is 5 895m (19 341ft), and two extinct volcano cones: Mawenzi, to the east, 5 149m (16 893ft) and Shira, to the west, 3 962m (13 000ft).

The climate varies with the mountain's different faces and levels. At its foot, the average annual temperature is 23.4° C., whereas it's 5° C. at 4 000 m. and minus 7.1° C. at the top of Kibo. Between 4 000 and 5 000 m. the variation between day and night temperatures can be as much as 40° C.

Kilimanjaro has a tropical savanna climate, characterised by a dry season (when we'll be there) from mid May to mid October with moderate temperatures. A short rainy season (called short rains) follows from mid October to the end of November, a hot dry period from the beginning of December till the end of February and, finally, a long rainy season from March to mid May.



Translated by Pamela Gauvin

Five Months To Go - and - Well done Team Kili!

By Isabelle Privé

Team Kili's countdown continues with the arrival of Spring. We're all busy with preparations - training, vaccinations and final purchases of material. Our departure is approaching fast and the level of excitement is steadily rising.

We've watched our Team-Everest friends set out and return, read their commentaries and seen their photos. The story of their journey (which was far from easy) is helping us stick to training and preparations for our own adventure.

A lot is going on at 5 months from departure. The journey still seems a long way away; on the other hand, time is going so quickly that it sometimes feels more like the day before take-off. There's still so much to do! More fund-raising, hikes, runs and training sessions. It's crazy how quickly the last 15 months have flown by!

More than ever, we must make the most of each moment because everything's going so fast. We want to be able to remember every detail of our preparations for this adventure. It's so true that the journey is as important as the destination. Enjoy the moment before it's gone forever!

Well Done Team-Kili!

A resounding "Well done" to the gang for having delivered the most beautiful chocolate animals for Easter. The SCD social club decided to encourage us by asking us to supply Easter chocolates for their members this year. Once again, Janie and Sylvain's kitchen was turned into a chocolate factory for the confection of 350 hand-painted and gift-wrapped chocolate animals for Easter. As usual, team-spirit and fun dominated the scene and everyone contributed. We were rewarded by delighted feed-back on our works of art by the members of the social club.

We wish to thank them for their encouragement.

A special thank you to Janie and Sylvain for their hospitality.   BRAVO to everyone for a job well done!

Translated by Pamela Gauvin

Singing in the Rain

By Pierre Gauvin


On Tuesday morning before work I went for a workout on the Mount Royal stairs. It was raining, everything was grey and, apart from a lady, older and in MUCH better shape, I was completely alone!


After a just a few minutes, I was soaked to the skin. I felt depressed, lonely and a bit mad to be there.

I carried on up and passed the lady who was going down. I glanced at her and was greeted by a beautiful smile which seemed to say "We're crazy to be here but we're doing it for a reason".
That made me think about us -  Team Kili-2012, our expeditions, our fund-raising, our friendship and our team spirit. Suddenly I was happy in the rain with my aching legs. I was no longer alone.

Meet Catherine

By Catherine Fortin


Kilimanjaro is much more than a mountain - it's a complete overhaul of my life!

OK, let's go....  It's already just over a year since I said "Yes" to this project, this "trip" of a lifetime. Between Christmas 2010 and New Year's, I happened to glance at our notice board and saw André's invitation "Who wants to go climb Kilimanjaro?" Without a moment's hesitation, I wrote "I DO"!!!

Why? Well, why not?

We've only one life and it's already much too short for me so, whenever an opportunity like this comes along, I jump at it. Especially on this scale. Routine just isn't my thing - spontaneity lets us live wonderful experiences and outdo ourselves. I love being active, being with people, supporting good causes, helping others and meeting challenges. Kili is all that and more. Just getting to September 3rd - Day K, is a mountain in itself, a complete change of life-style. Getting fit, planning funds, getting vaccinations,  learning trekking techniques, preparing mentally for the ascent and so on and so on......

Do I regret my decision? Not on your life!

First of all, I've met such amazing and passionate people. Team Kili is a tightly knit little family - extremely important for the 10-day ascent when we'll be going through all sorts of feelings and needing  encouragement and moral support from each other. In each activity like training or having a meal together, we talk a lot of nonsense and have a lot of fun. We end up laughing till we cry which is the best way of relaxing, not to mention giving our abs a good workout!!!

The team's commitment to giving time and volunteering for several good causes is our way to do our part in helping those in need. It also helps us to realize how much we have, to appreciate it and to live fully in the moment.

I, for one, am longing to see what this adventure has in store for me and I promise to make the most of it.

Catherine

Translated by Pamela Gauvin

Everest 2012 - living their adventure

By Isabelle Privé


Last Sunday, three members of our team went to wish a safe journey to the members of Everest 2012.

To put you in context, we met Jean and Guylaine a few months ago after reading an article about them in the Mouvement Desjardins journal which described how a team was planning an adventure to reach the Everest Base Camp in aid of the  Maison Michel Sarrazin foundation.

Jean and Guylaine had climbed Kilimanjaro in 2012 and had shared their experience and their adventure with us.

Since then, there's been great chemistry between the two teams!

Their adventure started on March 4 when they flew to Nepal. After a flight of almost 48 hours, they began the 3 week ascent on March 8, moving from village to village before reaching their goal, the Everest Base Camp.

Along with Nathalie and Pierre, I shared some of the excitement of their departure from Dorval on Sunday. It was something to see - the 17 members of the Everest 2012 team with their pack sacks (no more than 15 kilos allowed!), plus their equipment, eyes sparkling and happy to be leaving at last.

Guylaine told us that they'd left Quebec earlier after an emotional get-together with friends and family organized by their Levis office. A wonderful example of Desjardins support that doesn't surprise me in the slightest.

Which inspires me to picture our own departure from Dorval in 6 months with all our luggage and equally shining eyes.

Well-done to their team who fulfilled their fund-raising goal with flying colours. In fact, instead of raising $75 000 for the Maison Michel Sarrazin foundation, they made $110 000!

We wish you the adventure of a life-time. Jean and Guylaine, we are so much looking forward to seeing you again. People like you, with big hearts and full of passion, are wonderful rôle models and your example is the proof that we must always follow our dreams!

 You can follow their journey by clicking on this lien

Translated by Pamela Gauvin

Meet Chantale - a Story of Change

By Chantale Bonin

When Manon Fairfield told me about the Kili-2012 project, I said yes straight away (to be honest - without much thought). But I never dreamt it would change my life so profoundly.

I thought she was so courageous to want to climb a mountain after having gone through the loss of several loved ones. So courageous that I thought - let's do it together!

I met Manon and her twin sister in 1999. We lived in the same neighbourhood and met at a few birthday parties. I was very shocked by the sudden loss of Chantal, Manon's sister. I'd taken her wedding photos only a few years before and here we were, in the same church in Verdun, for her funeral. When I think that Manon and I started working for Visa on the same day, it must have meant something. I even wonder if it wasn't Chantal who inspired me to say yes that day.

I started improving my fitness with Manon and some others. We decided to run with the other Team Kili members whom I gradually got to know. I'd never enjoyed running but, as it was part of our training contract, I had at least to try. I always stayed at the back, thinking that I should run slowly but surely. Gradually, I found myself pushing the others and enjoying it more and more. As others were discovering the same satisfaction, we decided to run informally during our lunch breaks.

The stair challenge was next - a team initiative. When Manon told me about it, I plunged in again and set myself a personal goal. The idea was to climb the most steps in a certain period of time. Several teams signed on. My goal was to get to the top.... For the first time in my life, I really wanted to succeed. I've never been ambitious in my career - when someone else wanted a position, I stepped aside. But now it was different, I wanted my team to win at any price. Luckily, I could count on three wonderful colleagues to support me - André Lachapelle, Manon Fairfield and Julie Foster. We were really strong. Manon, whom I call "Statistics Canada", could tell you the exact number of steps we climbed at lunch time and in the evening, when we returned, just for the sake of the challenge. And whereas the objective was 600 stories, we did 4145!!!

These winds of change have invigorated my everyday existance - that of a rather spoilt mother. As I adore taking photos, I hope that my involvement in the team will let me share my skill and put it to good use. I've discovered people who are very ambitious and wonderfully human. I've discovered a new way of life and the intense experience has taught me a lot about myself.

Translated by Pamela Gauvin

Meet Lucie

By Lucie Corbeil


When I was asked to write a bio, I really didn't know what to say about myself.
Apart from my name and my work, what else was there to say?
Anyway, here goes.

I'm participating in the fantastic Kilimanjaro project thanks to my great friend Janie who invited me to join in the adventure at a time in my life when I really needed it. So I jumped in, like Obelix falling into the magic potion - greedily, curiously and naively. Greedily -  because I love to devour new projects, curiously -  to meet new people and new places and to see where the project takes me.  As for naively - when I see all the training I must do, again and again and again, I must admit I was rather green.......

Kili is a project that catapults me into the future, provides a way to get there, a mission and a challenge.

Lucie (also known as "la cochonne" because of my piggy hat).



Translated by Pamela Gauvin

Kili-2012 Stair Challenge - 4000 Stories by September!

By Isabelle Privé

Preparing to climb Africa's highest mountain means persistent training and unflinching motivation. I don't know about you but, for me, maintaining motivation isn't easy. That's why I've launched a challenge for Team Kili-2012.

How did I get the idea? Last autumn, at the office, several members of the team took part in the SCD stair-climbing challenge - climbing 600 stories in teams of 4 in 10 days.  We took up the challenge enthusiastically. One Kili team even managed 4000 stories!

We all thought it would be a good idea to carry on with the activity afterwards and we found that it was relatively easy to climb 20 to 30 stories a day. So I got to calculating. With the number of weeks' training left before leaving for Kilimanjaro, and counting about 30 stories a day, now many stories could we climb in that time?  The answer was 4000 stories per person!

That's all it took to put the challenge to my fellow team members. After all, stair-climbing is one of the best exercises available before mountain-climbing. And as Team Kili-2012 is always ready to do things differently and take on new challenges, 10 members answered the call. So 11 of us will be counting our steps and accumulating stories until August 31st. The objective: 4000 stories per person between February 6 and August 31 2012.

For the sake of the challenge, everything counts - stairs at home, at work, in the Metro, on Mont-Royal.  Every 20 steps count for a story. If you work it out, by taking the stairs all the time, it's easy to do 15 - 30 stories a day!

We started on Monday and, already, we've found all sorts of ways to make it add up. Thanks to everyone who's signed on to this crazy project. Another step on the way to the summit!

Translated by Pamela Gauvin

A Weekend Outdoors!!!

By Isabelle Privé

                                          "Snowshoes, Port and Chocolate" at Ste-Adèle

That's right - another Team Kili-2012 adventure, preparing for the big adventure of September 3rd. As we all have our -30 degrees sleeping bags, we decided to put ourselves to the test over the weekend to see how we'd cope with cold and fatigue.

So, this was our plan - meet at Sylvain and Janie's chalet on Saturday morning for a mountain snowshoe trek; spaghetti supper; another snowshoe outing in the evening; return to the chalet, then sleep outside! Sunday: get up at 7 am, typical Kilimanjaro breakfast, return to Montreal for our regular training session on Mont-Royal.

Talk about client satisfaction! Our daytime snowshoe outing was a joy. Just 5 minutes from the chalet, we found marvellous mountain tracks with fairytale scenery, sunshine and ... Lucie who was rather hot!!

After snowshoeing 7km, we returned to the chalet to pitch our tents ready for the night. Some of us put up tents and others built an igloo - yes, an igloo! It was hilarious, trying to set up tents in 2 feet of snow (supposedly firm) but - we sank, made a lot of holes and laughed ........

Followed by supper - mmmmm - spaghetti sauce made by mixing several home-made offerings - it was the best in town! By then we were just about dead but we still had to go on another snowshoe trek with the group from Eco Aventure Monde for the activity called "Snowshoes, Port and Chocolate". This meant getting back into our boots which were still damp from the previous trek, then piling into our cars en route for Ste-Adèle.

It was absolutely magical, snowshoeing in the dark, on a 3 km path marked by little red lamps.  We had our own head lamps but didn't need them as the snow was bright enough to show up the path perfectly. We ended up all together around a camp fire with a glass of port and chocolates. Pure bliss!

Then came the time to return to the chalet and go to bed in our tents. Well, we can't really say we were very enthusiastic about sleeping outside at -10 degrees. One group was in the igloo, another in the family tent. The problem was that it wasn't really a tent made for the winter and it was windy - very windy!

Did we sleep well? - NO!! Were we cold? - YES!! Did we nearly die laughing? - YEEES!
Ever tried taking off your coat inside a sleeping bag? I hadn't either. Then there were the ground mattresses - excellent, if they hadn't been so narrow. The "mummy" type sleeping bags needed some getting used to, not to mention the tuque that wouldn't stay on, the head lamp that was always round your neck, the need for a comfort stop and snow getting inside the tent. Nobody had an alarm clock but, strange to say, everybody got up at the same time!!

Breakfast was the same as we'll be getting on Kilimanjaro - eggs, toast, porridge, instant coffee, tea, bananas and honey.

Then, after only a few hours sleep and feeling the effects of the previous day, we were back in our cars and on the way to Mont-Royal for our training session with Mathieu. On the programme -  up 254 steps to the top, a warm-up walk, then 10 times up and down the 254 steps. Help!!!

A very tough weekend but we learnt that, just being together, we were so much stronger. I don't think any one of us would have been able to do all that alone because you'd get discouraged so quickly. When you're with others, you see that everyone is as cold as you, as tired as you and you feel you haven't the right to give up. You just carry on. The same thing for Mont-Royal - you see that everyone has as much pain as you and if they can go on, so can you. It's true, as part of a team, everyone can reach a higher level. You learn that you can stand a lot more hardship than you thought.

Another step on the way to the summit!

Bravo everyone!

Translated by Pamela Gauvin

First Mont-Royal Training Session - Ouch!!!

By Isabelle Privé

.







Last Sunday was the first of a series of 11 training sessions on Mont-Royal with our Expé partner-guide, Mathieu Fleury.

Ouf..... that should be ouch!!! After an hour walking on the mountain paths, we started a series of going up and down the stairs leading to the top.

We practised the "rest-step" technique, stopping on each step, but with a difference - we had to take 2 steps at a time for muscle work! Next came a "normal" climb - 1 step at a time. The aim was to do a series of 10 climbs. After that, I must admit, my poor legs were shaking with fatigue but we still had to do a last climb - running!!!

With Sunday's extreme cold, we had our first experience in getting used to our equipment. Removing layers of clothing when you're hot, to prevent humidity accumulating, putting them on again when you stop, glasses steaming up, water bottle freezing, changing socks so your feet won't freeze.

It was a very good group activity to start the year with. It made us realize just how much work still needs to be done before Kilimanjaro.

In spite of the cold, we weren't alone on the mountain by any means. We shared it with a community of very fit people who were snow-shoeing, cross-country skiing and jogging. I was really impressed by the joggers on the stairs!

We certainly appreciated "breaking the ice" like that. We're now more motivated than ever to continue!

Another step on the way to the summit!

Translated by Pamela Gauvin

January - Back to Work Again

By Isabelle Privé

2012 has come at last, bringing a new sense of purpose to the team.

After a well deserved break for the holidays, after family reunions, good food and champagne, it's back to the drawing board!

The count down has started! Now and for the next 9 months, we'll be increasing the intensity of our training. In January, and every second Sunday, we start a series of sessions on Mont Royal with Mathieu. We have to improve our cardio-vascular capacity as much as possible to be able to recuperate efficiently during the climb. Muscle strengthening is important too, to ensure that we can produce the required effort for climbing while supporting the weight of a back-pack.

As adapting to the altitude will make sleep difficult, intensive training is essential for keeping going, day after day, and reaching the summit.

For some of us, it's the gym, for some it's training alone, for others it's in a group. Some climb stairs, others run, walk, weight-lift or do abs. Any excuse serves for training and getting fit for our expedition.

A special thought for Nathalie who has injured her knee and has to undergo surgery in January. She's a great example of perseverance and courage. She could easily have given up on the adventure as many of us would have done. But no - she's determined to have the operation as soon as possible and get back in shape in time to leave with the gang.
                                                     

.. Personally, Nadine, if I ever get fed up with training, I'll think of you, then I'll just shut up and carry on.

Translated by Pamela Gauvin