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

One Step at a Time Towards "Day K"

By Catherine Fortin

 

Last Tuesday the team met Mathieu Fleury from the ExPé company which specialises in the organisation of custom-made adventures. Why? Well, it's all very well having a great project like climbing Kilimanjaro, organising fund-raising, training and doing volunteer work, but you can't climb a mountain like that on your own, however enthusiastic and motivated you are.

 

It's obvious that adequate preparation and planification are essential for success. That's why Mathieu was kind enough to come and meet us with a plan.

Which is the best way to approach the summit? There are several routes with different durations and camps and some are more crowded then others. How many days are recommended for the climb, to give our bodies long enough to get used to the altitude? This is really the key to a successful climb and it's to ExPé's credit that they only offer the longer period of 9 - 10 days with a 97% success rate.
How many other people will be with us? We'll need enough quality guides, porters and others to support us adequately on the climb.

These are just 3 of many questions that must be asked before choosing an agency and an itinerary.
      

Here's what ExPé is offering us for the year ahead:

• A medical certificate to be signed by a doctor.
• An evening visit to a sporting goods store with help in buying the most suitable clothes and accessories.
• Several mountain expeditions.
• Group training sessions on Mont-Royal.
• A final expedition next summer to Mount Jefferson and Mount Washington, before the departure for Tanzania.

The team won't have a dull moment between now and September 2012! With a project like that, we have no choice but to give 100% to our preparation and to developing a strong team spirit through fund-raising activities, voluntary work and training sessions. We already have a really good feeling among us and we have a lot of fun together. If the trend continues, we'll be worth watching - laughing all the way to the top!

Warning to our guides - hang on to your hats because Team Kili-2012 will be on fire next September!

Translated by Pamela Gauvin