Ready for the Summit

Hi my friends,
Well we're here at Barafu camp resting at 15300 ft. It's glorious and sunny with clouds drifting through us every now and then. Our group of 13 is poised and ready to go - knapsacks are packed, snacks are stuffed into pockets for easy access, our 2litres of water have been treated and spirits are high. No real altitude sickness to speak of. Our Olympic moment is upon us. We'll set out at midnight prepared for -10 to -15 degrees (just like skiing in Ontario we keep telling ourselves). We love you all. You're closer to us than ever before.
Alison

Summit Looming....

"Jambo,"
We've been out of range for 36hrs while camping at Shira and Barranco. Weather has been great and one climber has shown signs of altitude sickness. We're now at Karanga Camp (13250ft)having scaled the mighty Barranco Wall (aka breakfast wall). Despite anxieties re: height and rock cliffs, everyone now claims today was their most exciting. Angus has managed a shave, we've adapted to outdoor toilet routine, with bowel movements being a source of daily comic relief. Spirits are high as the full moon rises tonight and as we prepare for tomorrow evenings 11pm assault.

"Kwaheri,"
Alison xoxo"

The Climb Has Begun! Post from Alison

"Hi Everyone - greetings from 9,800foot. We arrived at the Machame Camp after a 5 hour walk through the rainforest. It felt good to get going, to start applying our walking step and to overcome anxieties. Weather has been good, spirits are high. We woke up to a stunning view of Kibo. Onwards to Shira Plateau." - posted by Alison Wiley

And they're off!

Just heard from the group. They have had a good start. They spent the day in Moshi yesterday. Moshi is a small city at the base of Kilimanjaro. This is where the Amani Children's home is located. They spent the day preparing for their climb by doing a practice hike, and getting together all of their gear. They finished the day with a team pizza dinner (carbo loading!). Today they are off to Machame Gate, the start of their 8 day mountain trek. The sun is shining....

Update from the Kili Climb for Kids team!

"We arrived safely with bags and health in tact. We woke up to a sunny day with Kili in full view. Did our practice hike, packed our bags and will head shortly into downtown Moshi for Italian food. We love you all."

Kili Climb for Kids 2010 Team On Their Way!

Well, I just said goodbye to Angus as he headed off to Pearson airport to join co-LOLA staff member (and my sister) Alison and the rest of the 13 member 2010 team. They are in for a long flight - 8 hours to Amsterdam, 4 hour layover in Amsterdam, and then the final leg to Kilimanjaro airport in Moshi, Tanzania. They won't arrive in Tanzania until later tomorrow. Moshi is 8 hrs ahead of us in time. They will transport to the lovely Kilemakyaro Lodge, http://www.kilimanjarosafari.com/, and then spend the following day preparing for their ascent of Kilimanjaro, organizing their gear and acclimatizing to their new environment. I am hoping to receive either a text message or email from Alison in the next 2 days with an update. Once I receive this, I will post it on the blog.

The 11 team members plus 2 guides have been preparing for their adventure over the last 6 months - running, hiking, cycling, & lifting, learning about gear, layering systems, and efficient hiking/trekking techniques and mentally preparing for their challenge. Most importantly, they have been raising funds for the Amani Children's Home in Moshi, www.amanikids.org . Over the last two years, Live Out Loud Adventures climbs have raised close to $200,000 for the Amani Children's Home. If we add in the efforts of this year's team, the amount will be well over $200,000. Congratulations team! Take care over there -our thoughts are with you!

LOLA Blog is Now On Our Website

Just wanted to let you know that you can find our blog also on our website at http://www.liveoutloudadventures.com/

If you want to follow a friend or loved one while they are on their LOLA adventure, just go onto the website and you will see updates.



Happy blogging!

Summit Night Training - Jan. 14th

We had a great night of summit training last night, trekking in our gear through the wilds of the Rosedale Golf course. The entire team showed up in their summit gear. We sorted out our gaitors, turned on our headlamps, adjusted our trekking poles, consumed chocolate and lifted our spirits - Kili/Kibo here we come! Thanks for making the effort to attend. Thanks to Alison for hosting us. Sleep well, eat lots, take care of yourselves. See you at 3:00pm next Sunday, Jan. 24th, terminal 3, KLM counter, Pearson airport.

Angus - head guide, Kili climb for kids 2010

Kilimanjaro 2010 climb - Jan. 24th - Feb. 5th

11 women, 2 guides....the countdown has started. Just over ten days until departure. The team has been training and preparing for the climb for the last few months - running, spinning, lifting, and hiking, gathering equipment and gear, preparing for summit night and raising funds for the Amani children's home, http://www.amanikids.org/

This Thursday, January 14th, they will gather at Alison Wiley's (LOLA owner and in house fitness trainer) house for a "summit training" session. Led by Everest climber, LOLA owner and guide Angus Murray, the team of 11 will do a night hike fully decked out in their summit clothing. This is a last chance for the team of intrepid climbers to check their gear and their clothing systems.

Good Luck team Kili 2010!

Welcome to the Live Out Loud Adventures Blog!

Welcome to the Live Out Loud Adventures (LOLA) blog. Live Out Loud Adventures is an adventure-based, experiential education company inspiring adults and youth to live intentionally through purposeful outdoor experiences in Canada and around the world. You can check out our website at http://www.liveoutloudadventures.com/

Live Out Loud Adventures is owned and operated by Alison Wiley, Sarah Wiley and Angus Murray. You can learn more about who we are by going to our website.

On these pages we will share with you stories and reflections from our trips as well as the occasional thought or musing about "living out loud." Feel free to jump in and share how you choose to LIVE OUT LOUD.

When we asked friends and family how they choose to "live out loud" we got lots of interesting responses. Some of our favourites are:

- Living out loud to me means having a willingness to drop everything and take advantage of the serendipitous moments that call one to wonder, delight, new perceptions, interactions;

- For me, living out loud has to do with a lifetime of purpose, joy and of a commitment to service;

- I live out loud by trying to do the things I have always dreamed of doing;

- I live out loud by engaging others in active, outdoor and experiential community play.

How do you LIVE OUT LOUD?

What have you always DREAMED of doing?

Jump in and join the conversation!