Adventures Within Reach Blog

Entries from August 2008

Climb for Charity

August 26, 2008 · Leave a Comment

Many people climb Kilimanjaro as a fund-raising activity for their favorite charity. A fund-raising trek is an adventurous once-in-a-lifetime experience for participants while serving a humanitarian or environmental cause. We can help your charity climb with group rates, by sponsoring t-shirts, and helping with your travel plans.

Upcoming charity climbs will benefit Close the Gap, Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY), Prostate Awareness Foundation, Woman on Top, TunaHAKI Orphanage of Moshi (Canada), and Shalom Orphanage.

These charity climbs are always looking for people to join their trek to help raise awareness and money.  They are also looking for donations and sponsorships.

CRY – Cardiac Risk in the Young (August 2008)

CRY’s Vision 2008: to work with cardiologists and family doctors to promote and protect the cardiac health of our young by establishing good practice and screening facilities devoted to significantly reduce the frequency of young sudden cardiac death throughout the U.K.

Close the Gap (September 2008)

Charity Image It is Close the Gap’s mission to contribute closing the digital divide between the Western World and developing countries, by offering communities access to much-needed IT equipment. Since Close the Gap was founded in 2003, thousands of computers have been donated by Western companies. They have been put to work once more in developing countries where they offer a springboard for both individuals and communities to make steady progress as they bridge the digital and economic divide.

Prostate Awareness Foundation (September 2008)

Charity Image The Prostate Awareness Foundation (PAF) offers information, support, and education about the treatment options available to those with prostate cancer. PAF is different and unique in its approach to preventing and healing prostate cancer through its emphasis on a healthy life style, diet, exercise, nutritional supplements, and stress reduction techniques. PAF does a charity trek every year.

Woman On Top (September 2008)

Charity Image Woman On Top is a philanthropically-inclined organization of outdoor enthusiasts who’s goal is to raise funds for qualified organizations through the achievement of amazing feats in human stamina. These climbers with a cause, feel that through a combination of their skills, determination, dedication to philanthropy, and fundraising efforts, substantial donations can be garnered that will make a difference in our world. In September of 2008, seven climbers (five women and two very brave men) will endeavor upon the Machame Route, on Mt. Kilimanjaro. Over 6 days, they will ascend over 13,000 feet to reach the summit of the highest peak on the African continent. Towering at 19,340 feet above sea level, Mt. Kilimanjaro is no “walk in the park.” Our fundraising goal for 2008 is $75,000 to be divided between our two benefiting non-profit organizations: Positively Kids and The Odyssey Foundation. And, they have great t-shirts!

TunaHAKI Canada (December 2008)

The TunaHAKI Centre for Child Development, located at the foot of Mt. Kilimanjaro in Moshi, Tanzania, was founded in 1998. Perhaps the most dynamic and unique feature of the Centre is its focus on the performing arts, including aerials, acrobatics, gymnastics and drumming. The self-esteem, confidence, cooperation skills, and sense of family garnered from working together empower these abandoned children and give them a sense of home. The Canadian non-profit set up to support TunaHAKI is climbing Mt. Meru in December 2008.

Shalom Orphanage (June 2009)

The Shalom Orphanage is located in the village of Karatu, which is located between Lake Manyara and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Started in 2004, there are currently 40 children living in the orphanage, and they currently range in age between 1 and 13 years old. There is a staff of 12 people, including teachers, cooks, cleaning help, and gardeners, who take care of and educate the children.

KILIMANJARO CHARITY CLIMBS >>

Categories: Kilimanjaro · News · Sustainable Tourism · Tanzania

Flights from Hell

August 24, 2008 · Leave a Comment

I was recently flying from one city to another with a layover in between. After 11 hours of flight delays in our layover city, they decided to cancel the flight. After standing in line to get re-ticketed (for a flight TWO DAYS LATER) and another line to get baggage, I was finally leaving the airport after 13 HOURS.

While standing in line at the baggage counter at 2am is not a pleasant experience, it certainly is an interesting study of human behavior….

My seven-year-old son announced to me that it was the longest, most difficult travel day of his short (but well-traveled life). This made me reflect on the many difficult travel days that I have encountered over the years to properly put a rating on it.

Three Days in Minneapolis

The closest competitor is the time we were traveling to Tanzania with a stop in Minneapolis. Our flight into Minneapolis was delayed to the point that we missed our connection to Amsterdam. Upon deplaning, the airline had already re-booked everyone and had new boarding passes waiting for us. Our flight was booked for THREE DAYS LATER.

After arguing with the airline customer service manager for an hour, the best we could get was a flight into Kenya the next evening. Off we went to our hotel to spend the next 24 hours in Minneapolis. We did get on the next day’s flight — a day late and to the wrong country — but we then had to spend a night in Nairobi and get a overland transfer to Tanzania the following day.

Could be worse

I will have to say that if you are to be stranded somewhere, it’s nice to do it somewhere interesting. During canceled flights or overly long layovers, I have gotten to see the Statue of Liberty, taken a canal cruise in Amsterdam, and gone to the top of the St. Louis Arch.

Where, oh where, has my luggage gone?

My husband has a great story coming back from Beijing to Idaho. All of his bags made it to Shanghai, but the next airlines managed to spread his luggage into three cities: San Francisco, Boise, and Sun Valley.

Can you hear me now?

Then there’s the time when my cell phone had been ripped out of a plastic bag in my checked luggage. I typically keep all my expensive electronics in my carry-on baggage, but after 3 weeks of traveling, I had let my guard down. The sad part of the story is that I do not have a global phone, so whoever stole it (in Europe) was not able to use it, and it cost me $200 to replace….

Take me to the rental shop

We had one client who didn’t get one of his bags upon arrival at the Kilimanjaro Airport. Nor did the bag arrive in time for his Kilimanjaro climb. Luckily, we were able to arrange enough warm clothing for his trek. The bag was finally found 6 months later only with the on-going help of our staff in Moshi. The bag was half empty….

Moral of the Story

I know I should have a moral to this story. Many people say you should pack your toiletries and one night of clothing in your carry-on bag. I think this is good advice, but I always have too many valuables (camera, computer, etc.) in my carry-on and don’t have room for anything else.

My personal advice would be to have travel insurance to cover any unexpected expenses and luggage losses. Layover expenses are not covered by the airlines if the delay was due to weather. Those with travel insurance will have expenses covered (hotel, transportation, and meals).

Categories: News

Adventure Travel on Facebook

August 1, 2008 · Leave a Comment

Adventures Within Reach is now on Facebook! Our page has

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Categories: News