Ascent for Alzheimer's: Online Diary
The team have completed their challenge and have now returned home to their respective countries. We are very proud and happy to announce that in total the team managed to raise over US $250,000 for their Alzheimer associations. Melanie is now back in the ADI office. You can see her photos and read her Kilimanjaro diary here.
Photo Gallery
Click here for pictures of the team on Kilimanjaro
Thursday 14th - Team arrives in Tanzania
Today the team members fly in from around the world and will land at Kilimanjaro airport. From there they will be transferred to the Marangu Hotel where the whole team will meet up for the first time. Tomorrow will give them a chance to rest, to acclimatise and to do an important last minute equipment check! A tour of the nearby Marangu Village is also planned.
Friday 15th - Team explore Marangu
The team are now united in Tanzania and enjoyed their first meal together last night. This morning they were able to glimpse their first sighting of Mount Kilimanjaro, as it provides the dramatic backdrop to this beautiful setting of warm sunshine, wildflowers, humming birds and giant snails!! This picture was taken of the team outside their hotel after meeting their guide Ken Hirst, who will be taking them up the mountain.
Later today they will be exploring the local village of Marangu before getting an early night to prepare them for an early start tomorrow, where they will take the three hour transfer to the main gate and begin their climb. Words of encouragement have been flooding into the ADI office, including a special message from National Office of Alzheimer's and Related Disorders Society of India, who say their prayers are with the team. Many of the team members have been seeking the advice of fellow team member Nasuh Mahruki from Turkey, who is the most accomplished mountain climber on the team and has climbed many of the highest mountains in the world.
Monday 18th September - Mountain life
Saturday morning the team began their climb from the trailhead at 1,800m (6,000ft). After several hours of walking they reached their first camp at 2,600m (8,500ft). Because of the altitude the team have to ascend at a slow pace, the thin air makes the smallest movement seem more difficult and it will take a while for the climbers to adjust. The team have a small army of 40 local porters accompanying them as they climb, who help carry their bags, set up camp and prepare their food. After a hot meal at the camp the team retired to their tents for the first cold night on the mountain beneath a blanket of stars.
After two and a half days on the mountain the team have seen the landscape change dramatically. As they emerged through the cloud cover, most vegetation has been left behind and been replaced by a barren Luna like surface that is covered in a thick volcanic ash. Today saw the team reach Mawenzi Tarn Camp, which is spectacularly situated beneath the towering Mawenzi peaks where they are currently at 4,300m (14,000ft). They will remain at this height for two nights to allow for additional acclimatisation and some well earned rest. Tomorrow the team will explore the surrounding area on a day hike and enjoy the spectacular surrounding views.
Tuesday 19th September - Above the clouds
Today the team explored the area below the Mawenzi Peaks staying at the same height so that they can get used to the altitude. They went on a day hike where they caught some of the best views in Africa across the Plains of Kenya. On their way to the camp they experienced a heavy hail shower that quickly turned to snow! The rest of the afternoon the team spent huddling in their tents for shelter.
The ADI office briefly spoke to team member Todd Gelfand from the US, who sends the following message to everyone back home at the office and to all his friends and family "So far so good, feeling pretty good at 15,000ft!" Tomorrow is the first big day for the team, as they will experience a hard walk for 5 hours to reach Kibo Hut where they will camp for a few hours before setting off through the night on the final push to the top! Melanie Legg reports that all the team is doing well and has adapted to the altitude. She is nervous yet confident of reaching the top!
Wednesday 20th September - The final push to the top
The team has now reached camp Kibo Hut 4,700m (15,500ft) at the foot of Kibo peak. They will now rest and try and get some sleep before being woken at 11.00pm when they will begin their final climb to the top. The team will climb throughout the night to be able to reach the summit at dawn tomorrow on World Alzheimer's Day. Everyone is nervous and tired, but very excited! ADI's Melanie Legg gave us this message via satellite phone today, "It is not all about reaching the summit, we have all made it this far and it has been a real team effort, what an achievement!"
All week messages of support have been coming into the office. ADI's Chairman Orien Reid has the following message for the climbers, "On behalf of the Elected Board we applaud your bravery, your spunk and your commitment to raising awareness about the impact of global dementia. Thank you for caring about the more than 24 million people around the world with dementia and the families that love them."
Thursday 21st September - World Alzheimer's Day from the 'Roof of Africa'
As dawn broke over Africa on World Alzheimer's Day 2006, our team of climbers reached their target of the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro. At 5,800m (19,000ft) they experienced an emotional celebration as they gazed in wonder at the beautiful sights before them.
We are all very proud of the climbers for having taken this brave journey to commemorate those living with dementia and their families. On behalf of the team Melanie Legg said "They are all so happy that they have been able to take this fantastic opportunity to raise awareness about dementia and that others should be encouraged to do the same to help bring this disease out of the shadows!"
To reach the summit, the team had to slowly climb for six hours before reaching the top of Uhuru Peak. The snow and hail kept away so once at the summit the team had clear uninterrupted views of Africa! Due to the low levels of oxygen, the team could only stay on the summit a short while, so after their celebrations and lots of photo taking, they began their descent. They have now reached camp Kibo Hut where they will have lunch before setting off again for a three hour hike to a lower level camp where they will spend the night.
Tomorrow their descent will take them back to the Marangu Hotel where this exciting journey began. They will finally be able to take a shower and sit down to dinner to celebrate in style!
Friday 22nd September - The team return
The team arrived back at the Marangu hotel, completing the final leg of their amazing journey. Tired limbs could not overcome their elation and their sense of achievement, not only of the climb but more importantly the purpose of the jouney.
After a well deserved rest and a warm shower the team were able to celebrate their achievements against the backdrop of Mount Kilimanjaro, where only yesterday they had reached the summit.
An unforgettable experience for the whole team. We all congratulate them on their great efforts and success!