It is very difficult to imagine that we will both be standing on top of this behemoth in the snow before the week is out. Click the photo for a larger view and notice Nico in the foreground next to the little tree.

Here from a distance of perhaps 20 miles we are able to take in both the Kibo (left) and Mawenzi peaks (right). When I tell Nico we will be traversing the saddle between these two ancient volcanoes in a single day he looks at me as if I am out of my mind. As I stood there beside him, I questioned as much myself.

Our patience at the top of the hill is rewarded as a break in the clouds briefly reveals our destination. I was unable to capture a single photograph which does justice to the scale of this mountain. At this point, Nicolai and I looked at each other and without words questioned what the hell we were doing.

These creatures are spectacular and as I get close for a macro shot, I discover that they have very small teeth even though their diet consists mostly of small insects which they snare with their long tongues.

Our next destination is Ngangu Hill from where we hope to gain a nice view of Kilimanjaro from a distance. Along the way we find a chameleon and coax it onto a branch for some portraits.

Next, we descend into a deep gorge to view the Kilasiya Falls. The steep and treacherous descent is made on wet clay which is about as slippery a surface as you can imagine for negotiating with a pair of crutches. Amazingly, Nico is able to climb down and out without killing himself. If not for the beauty of the falls, I almost regretted this detour because of the risk it posed to ending our climb before it had even started.

Today is meant to be a rest day but we quickly grow bored and hire a guide, John, to show us around the area. We start with a tour of the Chagga Live Museum. The Chagga people are indigenous to the area around Kilimanjaro and we learn of their history, culture, and lifestyles.

Upon arrival at the Kilimanjaro airport, we are met by our driver who takes us on the final one and a half hour stretch of our journey to the Kilimanjaro Mountain Resort. Driving here is on the wrong side of the road and requires enormous skill to avoid collisions with other vehicles (including your normal array of gas fueled types as well as mule and human drawn carts and bicycles carrying huge loads of thatch, water jugs, or lumber), innocent by-standers, livestock, unmarked road work, etc. On this occasion our instinctive search for seat belts went unrewarded. 

Nico seems very introspective as we wait to board our flight to Tanzania. Fortunately, during this 9-hour leg of the trip, we had an unoccupied seat between us affording Nicolai the space he needed to recline and both of us were able to get some much needed sleep.

During our layover in Amsterdam, Nico and I treat ourselves to a huge breakfast fearing this may be one of our last good meals. Neither of us were able to sleep much on the plane as we had hoped to. Nico swears that if he were just one inch shorter he would have been able to find a comfortable position. It should be noted that all such positions involved use of my body as a form of pillow for some part of his body.

While standing in line for security screening at Logan airport, I ask a stranger if she would mind taking a picture of Nicolai and I as we embarked on our voyage. The woman recognizes us from one of the TV spots we had done and was more than happy to oblige fawning over us as if we were celebrities. Strapped to my chest is a camera bag which houses both my still and HD video camcorders. You will see it there in almost every photo of me on the trip.

All of our gear is packed and we can not wait to begin our odyssey. All the recent media attention has been wonderful for the fundraising effort (total is now just over $20K), but has left us both anxious to get on with the challenge before us. For all who have wished us well and supported Nico’s cause you have our sincere thanks. Please know that we will be drawing on all the encouragement you have provided when the going gets tough.

Today is the big day. Nico and I leave for Africa and our attempt to summit Mount Kilimanjaro. We are both more than a little nervous. Nicolai spends some time resting up with Nala.

This evening, Jeanine prepared a feast to help Nico and I carbo load for the climb. Dessert featured this Kilimanjaro inspired cake complete with frosted glacier courtesy of Maya. Friends have been streaming through all evening wishing us well on our odyssey. Kyle survived day two of soccer tryouts (although he is walking around the house like a tired old man). He was the only freshman to make the first cut based on passing a gruelling fitness test.