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1. Kilimanjaro Climb
In February of 2012, I joined five other folks on a trip to
Tanzania to climb Mt Kilimanjaro and to raise money for
the Global Alliance for Africa Library
Program, specifically to support the GAA Library in
Kibosho, Tanzania at the foot of the mountain.

2. Global Alliance for Africa, Library Program
• Global Alliance for Africa works with schools, students, teachers and
volunteers to raise funds to build libraries, collect books and provide
educational materials for community libraries/resource centers
throughout East Africa. Global Alliance’s libraries primary focus is on
providing educational resources to orphans and other vulnerable children
affected by HIV/AIDS as a foundation for them to rise out of poverty.
• In 2009, Park Ridge Cares raised money to build a library in
Kibosho, Tanzania.
• Our climb was dedicated to raising more money to support the Kibosho
Library.
• If you would like to donate to the Kibosho Library go to
www.globalallianceafrica.org. Click on “view existing campaigns” find
“Kibosho Library” and click “view” then follow the prompts to donate.
• Or send a check to Global Alliance for Africa, 703 W. Monroe, Chicago, IL
60661. Be sure to put Kibosho Library in the memo line.

4. GAA Library in Kibera, Nairobi, Kenya
After arriving in Nairobi, Kenya we visited the GAA Library in
Kibera slum (home to close to 1 million). The Library also
houses a GAA microloan cooperative.

5. Kibera Library
Two High School boys studying in the Library on Sunday!

6. Visit to Kitengela Glass
Located west of Nairobi in the bush, Kitengela Glass
uses all recycled glass to make stained
glass, mosaics, and blown glass

9. Library in Kibosho

12. The bus that took us to the mountain
We were met at the Kilimanjaro Mountain Lodge by
our guides and porters. (2 guides, 4 Asst guides, 2
cooks, 1 waiter/porter, 9 porters)

13. A glimpse of the mountain
We drove through farm country on the way to
the gate where our trek would begin.

14. Informed Consent
Is it too late to change our minds?

15. The Fearless Team
At the entrance gate, also known as the Rongai Route.
From L to R: Jennifer Sterling, Judy Warner, Chris Parson, John
Prueitt, Bill Baty, and Deb Hill.

16. Starting off on the trail
Having driven thru the rain forest to get to the
trailhead, we started out hiking thru the forest
zone, which is farmed by the caretakers of the trail.

17. We woke to this view on Day 2

18. Starting off on Day 2
Walking through the Moorland climate zone.

19. Ten days after a wildfire
You can already see the grasses coming back. Most
of the shrubs seem to be too heavily burned to
recover.

20. Guides
From L to R. Issa Ishaku, Guide; Kalidi
Mkumbwa, Asst Guide; Iddi Njaritta, Chief Guide

21. On the Trail, Day 3
With Mt Mawenzi in the background.

22. Acclimatization Climb, Day 3
From our camp in the Mawenzi Tarn (14,206’), we hiked up over
15,000’ and then back down to camp to help us get used to the
altitude. This is Bill Baty, my tent mate/roommate.

23. Getting a bit chilly! Day 3

24. Morning of Day 4
That’s frost on the trekking pole handles!

25. Kili view, morning of Day 4
We’ve been hiking for 3 days and it still looks so
far away and SO tall! Yikes!

26. Into the Arctic desert zone, Day 4
Rock hopping anyone?

27. Across the saddle
Heading for Kibo Base Camp. Hey, this isn’t so
hard.! Air getting a bit thin though.

28. Kibo Base Camp above the clouds
This is where climbers from all four of the trails
meet to prepare for their final ascent.

29. Looking up to the summit
Early dinner, to bed around 6PM to rest to get up
at midnight for the final ascent.

30. Mawenzi from Base Camp
Just before turning in for a few hours of rest we
were treated to this spectacular view of Mt
Mawenzi.

31. Final Ascent
Began our final ascent in the dark at midnight. No
pictures, totally focused on breathing and putting
one foot in front of the other.

32. View of the trail
That’s right, that light line straight up in the
center of the picture.

33. The morning after! Day 5
I turned around with only 300 meters (vertical) or 1 hour to go
to make Gillmans Peak. (438 meters short of Uhuru Peak).
That’s Judy and John in the background. They both made it to
Gillmans Peak.

34. Descending on the Marangue Route
After coming down from the summit, we rested for
a few hours and then got up and hiked seven miles
down to Horombo Camp.

35. Farewell
At the end of Day 5 we gathered with all the guides
and porters to say our farewells. The guides and
porters are singing to us in this picture.

36. Our farewell song
Call and response. Jambo, Jambo, Pole, Pole, Mambo
Poa, Mambo Poa, Poa, Poa. (with a few pathetic
dance moves!)

37. Guides and Assistants
L to R. Kalidi, Iddi, Alli, Anwari, Issa, Nassoro.
Jen looking on.

38. Day 6
Hiking back into the moorland zone.

39. At the Marangue Gate
What an amazing journey. Still able to smile.