Cancer Climbing Expedition To Africa – Sean Swarner
Wednesday, April 29th, 2009 by Debra OaklandMy friend Sean Swarner (A Courage Expert) and the Cancer Climbing Expedition are offering a Climbing Expedition/ Safari to Africa. I told Sean I would share this opportunity with you. How awesome would it be to spend some time with hero’s who are truly Living In Courage? Here is a complete itinerary of the expedition, links to Sean’s websites and a video of his courageous journey. This is an amazing opportunity for anyone looking for adventure.
Debra Oakland @ Living in Courage Online
The Poster Reads:
Saturday, July 25, 2009 at 6:00am
End Time: Sunday, August 9, 2009 at 6:00pm
Location: Tanzania, Africa
Description: Africa… The very name calls to mind images of breath-taking landscapes, endless savannahs, magnificent animals, proud ancestral tribes and above all… safaris!!
Begin your odyssey into the heart of creation as you venture across hundreds of miles of wilderness, let your mind wander millions of years into the past…see untouched earth and wildlife as you can nowhere else… No other experience measures up to an African safari, unless it begins with an expedition up Mt. Kilimanjaro.
The snowy summit, hovering above the plains of this wondrous continent, radiates majesty and awe. The quiet solitude of viewing the world from above the clouds, seeing Africa from its highest point…there’s nothing that stirs your soul like this. Experience the magic of Kilimanjaro and wonder of an African safari in one life-changing expedition!!
Join Sean and the CancerClimber Association as we experience the magic of a Kilimanjaro expedition before celebrating with a beautiful Serengeti Safari. $500 of your expedition goes to support CancerClimber and their programs as we encourage you to raise more for the charity.
Participation is very limited so please reserve your spot now! Those interested please email sean@cancerclimber.org with any questions or to request a detailed itinerary (July 25 – Aug 9 in and out of the country). $5500 (US) includes EVERYTHING but airfare…your 6-day expedition and 5-day safari!!
The first 10 who sign up receive free safari hat and trekking poles. EVERY skill-level is invited to participate!! This is NOT a technical climb, but an endurance hike to over 19,000 feet….
CANCERCLIMBER EXPEDITION
ARRIVAL INTO TANZANIA
July 26 – Arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport. Private transport from airport to Moshi,
Tanzania to hotel.
KILIMANJARO EXPEDITION
July 27 – Recovery day from flight.
July 28 – Machame Gates to Machame Huts.
The drive from Moshi to the Kilimanjaro National Park Gate takes about 50 minutes. The journey
passes through the village of Machame (located on the lower slopes of the mountain). Once we
reach the park gate, climbers are requested to make their final preparations for the climb. Porters
will be seen arranging their packs containing the food, water, firewood, and other equipment.
Make sure that you have all your daypack items with you as the porters travel very quickly. The
guides will be pleased to assist with any additional information. We now leave the park gate and
walk through the rain forest on a winding trail. Lower down, it can be very muddy and very
slippery. Gaiters and trekking poles are a good idea. We continue until we reach the Machame
Hut. Here we make camp, rest, enjoy dinner, and sleep. We have now reached an altitude of
3,100 meters (~10,170 ft). Estimated time: 5 hours.
July 29 – Machame Huts to Shira Plateau Camp.
After breakfast, we leave the rain forest and continue upward, crossing a little valley walking
along a steep rocky ridge.. The route now turns west onto a river gorge at 3,658 meters (~12,000
ft). Time for rest, dinner, and sleep at the Shira Hut campsite. Estimated time: 4 hours.
July 30 – Shira Plateau Camp to Barranco Huts via Lava Tower
From the Shira Plateau, we continue east, passing the junction towards the peak of Kibo. As we
continue, our direction changes to the southeast towards the Lava Tower. Shortly after the tower,
we come to the second junction, which brings us up to the Arrow Glacier at an altitude of 4,876
meters (~16,000). We now continue down to the Barranco Hut at an altitude of 3,860 meters
(12,664 ft). Here we rest, enjoy dinner, and sleep. Although you end the day at the same elevation
as when you started, this day is very important for acclimatization and will help your body
prepare for summit day. Estimated time: 6 hours.
July 31 – Baranco Huts to Barafu Camp.
After breakfast, we leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge passing the Barranco Wall,
through the Karanga Valley (4200m/ 13,780 ft) where the route connects with the Mweka Trail.
We continue to the Barafu Hut, which is located at an altitude of 4,600 meters (~15,100 ft). This
completes the South Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles. Here
we make camp, rest, enjoy dinner, and prepare for the summit day. The two peaks of Mawenzi
and Kibo are seen from this position. This section can also be divided into 2 separate days, where
an a camp could be made in the Karanga valley. Estimated time: 8 hours.
AUGUST 1 – Summit Day!!
Early morning, we continue our way to the summit of Uhuru Peak at 5,985 meters (~19,635 ft).
This part of the climb takes about 6 hours. It can be very cold at night at these elevations, but it
will be quite warm by the end of the hiking day. You will want clothing for both extremes with
you. At Uhuru Peak, we have reached the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent
of Africa. Faster hikers will see the sunrise from the summit. From the summit, we now make our
descent continuing straight down to the Mweka Hut campsite at 3,100 meters (~10,170 ft). This
part of the descent takes about 5 hours. You will want gaiters and trekking poles for the loose
gravel going down. Later in the evening, we enjoy our last dinner on the mountain and a well-
earned sleep. Beer and soda may be available for purchase at the Mweka Hut — the only place on
this route. Estimated time: 11 hours.
AUGUST 2 – Return to Moshi.
After breakfast, we continue the descent down to the Mweka Park Gate. At lower elevations, it
can be wet and muddy. Gaiters and trekking poles will help. Shorts and t-shirts will probably be
good to wear (keep raingear and warmer clothing handy). A vehicle will meet you at Mweka
village to drive you back to hotel in Moshi. Don’t forget to tip your guides and porters. It is time
for celebration and banana beer! Estimated time: 4 hours.
…we scheduled an extra day for weather, altitude, and other unforeseen situations so the schedule on the
expedition is tentative and adjustable according to appropriate acclimatization…
SAFARI
AUTUST 3 – Early morning drive from Moshi to Lake Manyara. Afternoon game drive in the
park with boxed lunches. Dinner and overnight at Lake Manyara (overnight at Lake Manyara
Hotel).
AUGUST 4 – Early morning drive to Serengeti with boxed lunches. Afternoon game drive
around the Seronera area. Dinner and overnight (overnight at Seronera Wildlife Lodge).
AUGUST 5 – After breakfast, tour Serengeti with boxed lunches. And drive to Ngorongoro
Crater. Afternoon game drive in crater with lunch boxes. Dinner and overnight at the Crater
(overnight at Ngorongoro Wildlife Lodge).
AUGUST 6 – Game drive in Ngorongoro Crater. Overnight at Crater or Lake Manyara
(overnight at either Ngorongoro Wildlife Lodge or Lake Manyara Hotel).
AUGUST 7 – After breakfast, drive to Mto Wa Mbu for mini shopping. Return to Moshi.
AUGUST 8 – Return home via private transport to airport.
Links to Sean:
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