Further Thoughts

Today has made me think more about taking this trip. I have been thinking a lot about how precious life is and about really living life fully.

Grandma Thomas passed away today at 2am. She will be missed dearly.

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I think we have decided on a tour company: Alpine Ascents. After doing fairly extensive research it looks like this will be a great company to go with. The 'tour' is a 14 day tour and they start once every 2 weeks or so. Tentatively I think we will do one at the end of January or early February. I think there is one that is the last week of January and the first week of February. We think that one will work best. Cost-wise, we are looking at $5,700 for the tour plus the cost of our flights. We are toying with the idea of leaving a bit early or staying later to spend some extra time somewhere along the way but we need to figure out what will be cost-efficient. In anticipation of making any solid plans we have also decided to invite Jordan to join us on this trip. He seems very excited at the possibility of going with us. We have also invited Derek and Charmagne to come along with us, though they have not yet decided whether they will come with us or not. I am really quite excited at the idea of going. I really hope we can make this happen!

I have started searching the internet and iTunes for videos and podcasts about Kilimanjaro and I have found quite a few interesting and informative ones. It is getting me more and more excited. I have discovered, through my investigation, that we will likely need to buy quite a bit of gear. As prepared as we feel on the local mountains, Alpine Ascents requires participants to be extremely prepared. We are required to have at least two of almost everything. I think most of the list is kinda excessive and Dev and I are both hoping it ends up being more flexible than it appears. One thing I do think I will look at is a new hiking backpack. I found a great one at Coast Mountain Sports last weekend but now that I have read a little more information about the trip, I have a better idea of the type of pack I will need. I hope to check out the packs at MEC and REI the next time I have a chance. Well, I guess that all I have to say for now! Ciao until another day!