We made it!!!

Reaching the top of the mountain....

It's just before 1 a.m. in New York, and the group has FINALLY reached the top of the mountain.

I will have more later on this blog, and full reports later this week on Eyewitness News....Stay tuned.

Up up up again and back down...

Day 3...6:00 p.m.

Begining 12,500, Up to 15,000, Back down to 13,000

Today was a hard day. Over six and half hours, we went up to 15,000 feet and then back down to 13,000. We do that to help our bodies adjust to the altitude.  Tomorrow we will again go back up to a higher altitude.  For all but two of us, it was the highest we've ever been.  Someone described it as "hiking with a hangover."

It is early afternoon and we're enjoying tea, seated around a table inside the mess tent.  Tea has been plentiful. Breakfast consists of fruit, porridge, cheese, toast, eggs, bacon and sausage, coffee and tea.

Dinners start with soup then rice with curry chicken or pasta.  Then there's the junk food; David’s gorp (hikers mix, also my favorite) Roberts protein bars and Helen's gummy bears.  Sufficed to say we are never hungry.

You may have noticed this blog running a bit late today.  Blame technology and the weather.  The satellite phone was running low on battery power and we had to wait for the sun to come out from behind the cloud cover so we could hook it up to Mustaffa's solar charger.  We have quite a bit of technology here on the mountain.  Those with cell phones have actually been able to send text messages every day.

We are all amazed at the comradery among so many strangers and how well everyone is doing so far.  What started out as individual endeavors has clearly become a group effort.  Allen shares his water, Mustuffa entertains us at night with Johnny Cash music on his I-Pod, and Nat my son (who always reaches camp before me) lays out my sleeping bag. It's a team effort and we know we'll make a difference on summit day, and that's when you'll hear from me again. (Monday)

Up and Up we go....Day 2 of climb...

Day 2...5:00 p.m. and 28 degrees.

Beginning 9,720 Ending 12,500...

We have now reached the Shira Plateau and we are surrounded by a sea of tents.  On any given day several hundred climbers and porters are on the Machame trail.  Our local guide Eric has climbed Kilimanjaro more than 100 times.  He is the father of three and this is how he earns his living.  He has been very protective of us along the steep rough spots and today was quite steep.

We got a reality check from our lead guide Lindsay warning us about altitude sickness.  Frothing at the mouth, bad, Mumbling incoherently, bad.  She tells us altitude sickness can happen anytime about 7,000 feet ranging from mild headaches to swelling of the brain or lungs. So far my only pain is achy joints. I'm hoping Advil will do the trick.

The entire group is doing exceptionally well.  Today Heather and Allen were first to reach camp where giant black crow like birds are hanging over us like vultures.  They are the only wildlife we've seen so far.  Right now we are waiting for some hot water to wash off the dust and grime.  Thankfully, no rain today.

We climb again tomorrow.

Climbing the Mountain...Day 1...

Day 1 Altitude...5:20 p.m. and 28 degrees.

Beginning 6,000 Ending 9,720....

The climb has begun.  We have completed our first day, covering about 4,000 feet in altitude over five hours.  We have gone through rain and mud but so far our group of 12 is in good shape.

We are an eclectic mix of treckers.  There's David, he serves in the U.S. Air Force, training Jordanian pilots outside Ahman.  Sylvan is our Frenchman.  He is working on development projects for the U.N. and also comes from Jordan.  There are two U.S. college students, Tyler, and Heather.  Heather's uncle, Allan is a retired electrical engineer and our designated gadget guru (It's from him I learned what the temperature was when I sent in this blog).  Then there is Scott and Marissa.  They are teachers from Brooklyn, climbing on their honeymoon.  There's also my son Nat, Robert and Helen but the star on our trip is Mustafa.  He is climbing for peace and is attempting to become the first Jordanian to complete the seven summits. He has scaled four of them so far.  Kilimanjaro 
will be his fifth.  He will head back to Mount Everest where he will attempt for a third time to climb the worlds tallest mountain.  Needless to say he was first to arrive at camp. 

It is a good group and tomorrow we climb again.

Climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro; Packing is complete...

They say ignorance is bliss. That's kind of how I feel about the upcoming climb. It helps to keep the knot in my stomach under control if I don't dwell on the hazards and difficulty of the trek. Some of the e-mails I have received so far have confirmed what I already know, that it won't be easy. Thanks Julie for describing the overwelming nausea that can strike as you near the summit. Nicholas asks, "How long will it take?" Seven days total -- up for five days and then down for two.

We are traveling in a group of 12, which includes me and my 17 year old son, Nat. Also joining us, two second cousins, Helen, age 25 and Robert, 23. Helen is the veteran climber in the group having summited Rainier in Washington. The other 8 climbers are names only at this point, like Allen, Heather, Mustafa and Sylvain. I wonder what drives them and if we will all make it to the top?

Our guide is Lindsay Reither, one of only very few women leading Kilimanjaro expeditions. She will be making multiple climbs this summer. I wonder if the guides ever get so sick they can't make it? And what makes someone choose a career climbing mountains? Robert, a recent college graduate, reminded me he is looking for a job. Maybe there's a career in this for him.

Final packing is underway. I thank those who have e-mailed for your support. Keep an eye on the blog. I hope to have updates on the journey starting next Wednesday when the climb officially begins.

Climbing Kilimanjaro Part Two

By Diana Williams

How many pairs of underwear do you need to climb a mountain?

That was the most recent discussion between my 17-year-old son and myself as we prepare to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro. It's not such an absurd question when you consider every ounce of gear you take up the mountain is scrutinized and weighed.

Each pack is limited to no more than 30 pounds, and you only get one. The pack includes, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, trekking poles, warm and cold weather clothing, rain gear, head lamp, medicines, toiletries and snack foods.

The weight restriction is one of many rules now imposed by the Tanzanian government on trekking companies. We will also follow the "no trace left behind" rule, which means if we take it up the mountain, we also take it down. The rules are meant to protect the mountain environment and the health of the Chaggas, the men who carry gear up and down the mountain. 

Each year up to 25 thousand people attempt to climb Kilimanjaro. But trekking companies are often vague as to exactly how many people make it to the top. Not everyone does. On average, 10 people die each year trying to summit the mountain, mainly due to heart attacks.  But there's also altitude sickness that can force people back down the mountain. 

It is not a trip to take lightly.  Thanks to those who have e-mailed good wishes.  I'll have more tomorrow on our group of 12.  And don't forget, if you have any questions, send them to me at diana.williams@abc.com

Climbing Kilimanjaro

By Diana Williams

Five days from now I will be on an Emirates Air flight headed overseas. The final destination is Tanzania in Africa. My 17-year-old son and I are embarking on a daring trek -- climbing the world's tallest free standing mountain, Kilimanjaro.

Over the next several days I'm going to detail some of the preparations for our trip and when I come back I'll have even more to share about the journey itself. In my backpack, along with lots of water, I will carry a satellite phone with the intention of calling the Eyewitness News desk when we reach the top. Of course, that assumes we get to the top and that the satellite phone will function in sub-freezing temperatures.

The station has also provided me with a video camera so I can report back on the trip on our five o'clock broadcast -- provided there are no equipment/operator malfunctions.

A lot of people in the newsroom have asked, "Why would you want to climb Kilimanjaro?" I am not sure exactly. I guess it's for the same reason some people want to run a marathon, or bike 100 miles. It's about challenging yourself both physically and mentally. And there is a huge rush when you meet your goal. I felt it earlier this year when I completed my first five mile race. I imagine the adrenaline rush when you reach the summit at 19,340 feet will be even greater. Most important, it's an opportunity for me to bond with my son. I wonder which one of us will be the first to say "Are we there yet?"

Eyewitness News reporter Lauren Glassberg completed the climb in March and returned saying it was the hardest thing she had ever done in her life. I have been training since January and feel pretty good.

Tomorrow I'll share more about the preparations and the group making the climb. In the meantime I welcome your questions or advice from fellow trekkers.

Just today Lauren Glassberg reminded me to take a jar of peanut butter. She says it breaks up the monotony of camp food.

E-mail me here at diana.williams@abc.com