BootsnAll Travel Community

I feel fortunate to have located this forum, as Kilimanjaro has been lurking on my radar for a couple of years.

I'm a native of the San Francisco Bay Area, and am fairly well known for hiking / backpacking in my wheelchair. I have a climb of California's 3rd highest peak (White Mountain - easy for you two - legged types!) scheduled in 3 weeks, a peak that's been my nemesis for 3 years. In my town I'm known not only for my hiking, but my trainng regimen.

Hope to get to know some of you soon. If my next summit attempt of White Mountain is successful, I'll begin planning for next summer in Africa.

Welcome, Bob! Looking forward to hearing more about your experiences.

Bob, I have ridden my bike up most of White Mtn (all but the last 200 ft) and have hiked up Kilimanjaro. Anyway, if you want any comparisons of what you might expect between the 2 mountains feel free to PM me.

Anyway, trying to ride a bike up White Mtn is nothing in comparison to what you are doing. Good luck...and let us know how it goes.

An update, thought I'd posted here already (probably in another thread, knowing me! )...became the first guy in a wheelchair to summit California's White Mountain (14,246') August 24, 2007.

So that's launched me to my next dream, which is why I'm here. I've studied a few individuals in chairs who've tried it, but couldn't find doumentation to support an all - out summit of Kili by anyone in a chair. I intend to push myself, in good ol' conventional wheelchair style, without gears or mountain bike accoutrements. It'll just be me and the mountain, with lots of acclimatization time tossed in the mix. And I bet I can do it, too. As for sponsors....still working on that li'l issue.

Hi bob!!

I met you one day on Angel Island...good to see you are still up to mischief. Glad to see that you climbed White mountain..I remember you mentioned that and Kilimanjaro when we chated. Glad you have Kili on your mind now...

Here is a pic that I had taken of you....hope its okay I loaded the pic on my site if not let me know.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mreddy/232937326/in/set-72157594267753219/

Madhu

Madhu, OF COURSE I remember you!
I'm getting excited about planning, and planning in a hurry as is my nature. Did you catch me in the San Jose Merc or the SF Chron last week? Even with a bunch of good press, sponsors aren't knockin' the door down. We're plunging into the Kili trip the naivete of true novices; yet, I'm so convinced I can summit on my first try I'm getting stoked already. So lots of pub packets will be going out, along with my seemingly never - ending search for a publicist or agent...so stay tuned, we'll probably visit Angel Island again in November or so.

- Bob

Check this out:

www.getmotivated.co.za

Thanks for the link! I keep Bern's site as a "Favorite", and wished him good luck on this year's trip. He's offered much advice and support for me, too. Bern's a winner, no matter the outcome.

Bob, I just noticed your post today. You are probably well aware by now that Bernard Goosen achieved his objective and did tremendously. He is an extraordinary fighter and was most admired and appreciated by the team who had the privilege of supporting him.

In case you are yet to see the report, please see:

http://www.climbmountkilimanjaro.com/2007/10/16/new-wor...b-smashed/index.html

Sincerely,

TK.

TK, Bern and I have been in touch since before his October triumph. I was proud to see him make it to Uhuru! My chair is unlike his in that it looks a bit like a standard wheelchair you might see anywhere. His is highly specialized.

Bern asked if I wanted a hand arrangeing the trip, and of course I'd accept insights and guidance as needed. I don't think I'll be as fast, as it'll be all me, no gearsets or anything. Too costly to buy specialized stuff! I applaud Bern for the trmendous dedication, effort and perseverence it took to gain the summit!

Hi to all fellow globe trotters - A little about my days of wanderings, born and raised on a small rock known as Jersey C.I - surrounded by oceans, beaches and a lots of well protected natural areas - was my up bringing - got board of the rock as it is only 9 x 5 miles in size and kept falling off the edge - so started exploring the world with a backpack firmly strapped to my back - a few decades and several pairs of boots, tevas later i slung down my anchor here in Tanzania - Arusha where i decided some 7 years ago that with all my experince of traveling/climbing/trekking/adventure i could offer something different and secondly i could deliver what i promote. Many stories still remain to be told - but i know a few great places to unravel some of Tanzania's best kept secrets, where one can still have a fire and no park fees need to be paid.. the adventure awaits for those who step forward and try. Safari Njema ( safe travels - Swahili) Cheers Chris

Hi Bob

Just getting to know this site as the link was forwarded to me by a friend who thought your quest was something i might be able to shed some light on - You see apart from my own adventures i have played a large roll in aiding a couple of climbs up kili and also federation peak in Tasmania OZZY. A close friend of mine Warren Mac Donald lost both his legs whilst climbing Hichen brook island in Queensland - he is to date a keen bush walking/ice climber/explorer - in 2003 i assisted him to the summit of Kili over a 21 day climb - he climbed un-assisted using short modified prosthetics's it was a tough endurance for him - and due to such physical effort x 3 of an able body person he suffered altitude sickness on 2 occasions - a more recent undertaking by us was with a French film production in Oct 2007 where we handled all logistics for 9 individuals of varying disabilities on the own quest to trek through the bush and finally head up kili - one of the 9 was in wheel chair and although he did not summit he made it to 5000 metres usuing the Marangu route - he did what he could on his own and the rest of the team, who had varying disabilities - polio, one below the knee amputee plus x 2 deaf people pulled and pushed him in a 3 x wheel sports chair which had handle bars and a breaking system along with shock absorbers. Out of the three routes looked into it seemed to be the easiest for a wheel chair although there are many obstacles en-route, some of the smallest things like channels cut in the path to allow rain water to run a through a plenty on days 3 - 4 - 5 - for more detailed accounts of his and Warrens climb drop me a line. Cheers Chris