Kilimanjaro

Recently, it was decided amongst a majority of the Beeler Boys, that we are all getting old. In an effort to stave off our inevitable mortality, the best course of action was to do something bold, something that challenged our bodies, but more importantly, challenged our courage. Thus, it was agreed upon that 2013 is the year we climb a mountain.

In particular, this mountain. Kilimanjaro. 19,341 ft (5,895m) above sea level. Tanzania.

Since I have been tasked with organizing this sojourn, I lay out a few facts:

• Most of the research I have read suggests that it can be summited with little to no technical climbing.
• However, this is not to say it will not be challenging. We will need to be in excellent physical condition to climb that high. It will not so much be a challenge of fitness, but whether we have the endurance to walk 6-8 hours per day for 6 straight days.
• Even if we are in the best shape possible, it is still entirely possible to succumb to altitude sickness. Each year, around 15,000 people attempt the summit. Around 40% succeed.
• Every year, about 10 people die while trying to summit.
• It will require between 6 and 9 days to climb to the top, depending on which route we take.
• The cost of hiring a guiding company will be between $1500 to $3000 / person.
• With flights and accommodation, it will cost about $4000 to $5000 in total. This will obviously go up if we decide to do anything else before or after ward.
• The best seasons to climb are Jan-Mar or June-Oct, the two relatively dry periods of the year.

Just to get a count going, who is willing to commit to climbing? I know Alex, Ajay, Jack, and myself were in agreement. We were also drunk. Given it is already Oct now, should we say something like Aug or Sep 2013?

Who's in?