Ok. So here are some pictures from our Kili trip

Sorry for not posting any updates since we got back. Times been pretty busy.
Did not want to wait until I have captions/description on all pics and videos.
Here they are anyway.
PS: If you need any high-res copies please shoot me an email.

Below is the Columbus team: Dwight Smith, Curtis Jewel, Tally Wolff, Tanny Crane and yours truly.

September 4th

September 5th

September 6th

September 7th

September 8th

September 9th

September 10th

September 11th

September 12th

September 13th

September 14th

Here is a link to all the videos

Enjoy and feel free to leave your comments

Back home safe

A BIG thank you to all of you for your thoughts and prayers - all of us have returned safe and sound to the US of A. Once in a lifetime experience with all the new people we met and the proximity of being so close to nature and experiencing the force that no human can control.

Just arrived home. Thanks Renee and Dwight for dropping me home. Ray left the group to continue with his Tanzania plan (safari), Robert/Gabrielle, Tally/Tanny were with us until Amsterdam, Debi was with us till New York and finally Curtis, Dwight and I were together until Columbus.

Currently copying all my pictures to my PC. Will be posting some soon.

Thanks again to all of you for your good wishes and prayers.
Now....on to planning for next year ;-)

Made Summit 9-12-2011

Made the summit today.

Update posted - http://on-top-of-africa.blogspot.com

Made it to summit 2 days back. Leaving Tanzania in 4 hours.

Made it to summit two days back.

>
> Made it to summit two days back. Leaving Kili today.
>

Fwd: Fw:

Fwd: Fw:

Fwd: Fw:

Camping here tonight. Karanga Camp. Curtis was not feeling well so he had to go back.

Update posted http://on-top-of-africa.blogspot.com/

Currently camping at 15200 feet. Climb was a little rough, but all is well. Entire Columbus team is doing fine.

Update posted http://on-top-of-africa.blogspot.com/

Began climbing. Currently camping at 12500 feet. So far no allitude sickness. Everything on schedule.

Updated Post http://on-top-of-africa.blogspot.com

Heading to the start point to the base of Kilimanjaro.

Update Posted http://on-top-of-africa.blogspot.com

These are the type of huts we are going to stay in.

Update Posted http://on-top-of-africa.blogspot.com

Did a few hours of nature walk. Saw elephants, giraffes,warthogs,and a bunch of zebras and some locally found animals. Slept at Ndarakwai Lodge. Height 4,193 ft. Tonight is breezy and cool. In canvas tents under thatched roofs. We start real hiking tomorrow. Most of us are having to remove stuff from our duffle bags since they are over 33lbs. :(

Updated post- http://on-top-of-africa.blogspot.com/

Shekhar reached Kilimanjaro safely.

Last post from home before I leave

Last few days have been very exciting. Finally the day has come. In the next few hours I will leave for the airport and on my way to Kili.
I want to take a moment to thank my family, friends and neighbors for all their support - spiritual and moral. Also for supporting our charity by making generous donations.

Please keep us in your prayers and wish us success and safe return.

Will be in touch soon.
Ciao.

Send off dinner by Renee to the team - at Cafe Istanbul @ Easton

The team (Dwight, Curtis, Tanny-John, and I) were treated for dinner at Cafe Istanbul by Renee. Was awesome to get together and go through the check list. Everyone had already finished their packing many times over and here I was with everything just lying around in my living room. Any way, it is done now.

I will be taking my camera, Quik Pod (Thanks Wayne for sending me a few models to take to Kili and see how they work), a bunch of GU electrolyte tablets (Thanks GU Labs for sponsoring me), and a couple Solio Chargers (Thanks Solio for sponsoring me).

My packing is now almost done... probably will be lighter when I give some chemical warmers to Dwight and Curtis. And some honey stingers too. And then I also will be leaving my iPad, charger, etc down at the outfitter office so this will lighten the load too.

Cannot wait...

Less than 48 hours left!!!!

Am I a little nervous? Not little....but a LOT. Have not been able to sleep well just thinking about it.Am I excited? Absolutely. Who would not be. Feels like when I started sky diving a few years back, but just the anticipation is much longer. Well...we are there now.

Trying to figure out how are we going to keep this blog updated with our status. Dwight has the SatPhone but we will use it only for emergency. Probably I will text my cousin who will send an eMail to my blogger address that will get published real-time at the same time sending a link to my FB status. So, probably no pictures until we get back to Amsterdam on our return flight. Well, maybe a summit picture if we have a signal. No promises.
You will not believe this - I have not yet packed. Everything is spread around on the floor. Kinda looks like my office desk ;-) But I still have time tomorrow morning and evening. No worries.
Tonight - Sendoff dinner to the team by Renee
Tomorrow - Lunch at J.Gumbo with a dear friend
Day after - Off we go!!!!!!