We leave for Kilimanjaro in 22 days.

I find it hard to believe that we are actually going. This is a trip that has been in the works for three years. COVID put a stop to the first attempt. Now, with some of the same group members, some new, we are preparing to head to Africa.

This year’s group

This is a trip you really want to train for. Kilimanjaro is the highest free standing mountain in the world. It is a really hard climb to be successful finishing, especially if you haven’t trained enough. Everyone has to contend with reduced oxygen levels, climatic zones that change daily and long hours of trekking. Heather always says that the adversity is good for us – it gives us a hint of what the kids participating in Christie Lake programs go through all the time. Today camp started. This is the first of three sessions and the start of a great summer for lots of kids heading out to camp.

This year, we have 17 climbers and we are over $30,000 raised so far for Christie Lake Kids. The real stories here are not about the mountain or the training, it is first about the kids who are supported by Christie Lake programming throughout the year. It is a privledge to raise money for this organization, they empower children through camp, after school programs, STEM clubs, sports teams, cooking clubs, and leadership programs. We are just one of the great fundraisers that the community puts on every year. Along with Climb for Kids, these events take place every year – Canoe for Kids, the Christie Lake Gala, the Christie Lake Basketball tournament (played by teams make up of Parliamentary M.P.s), a golf tournament and other events.

All the programs run by Christie Lake are free – there are no barriers to access for any of the activities they run. This should be enough to get everyone to donate, so if you are reading this – why not do something right now!

I am around $2000 on my fundraising page – but I would like to be at $3000 before we leave on July 22. I will be adding more posts as we get closer to going, so if you agree this is a worthy and important project, why not support us on a very difficult climb!

Closer to the climb date, I will pass on to all of you a link to our Inreach device that will allow you to follow us in real time if you are interested.

This is what the tracking looked like when I climbed in 2017

More soon. Wishing a great camp session to everyone!