Gulfport Mom Proud of Son's Climb of Mount Kilimanjaro

You've likely seen her smiling face around Gulfport. Sandy Duffy is known as a loyal volunteer at the Gulfport Fresh Market, assisting with the Gulfport Merchant's Association's table and organizing the monthly "Clothing Swap."

She's helpful, giving, caring and passionate about volunteering in Gulfport. Imagine her concern upon hearing about an adventure she couldn't help with.

Sandy Duffy shares her latest chapter in her life with all of you on Gulfport Patch. The following is titled:

"A Son's Dream, A Mother's Worry"

Many of us create a "to do" or "bucket" list of adventures we would like to accomplish in our lifetime. Few of us however, have an opportunity to personally share the achievement of those adventures as they unfold. In June of this year, I received this message from my son Todd Phillips:

"It is officially booked....I am to climb Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania in October." (8 day trek of the Lemosho Route - October 7 through October 14).

My mental anguish began with the thought of how can anyone born with bronchial asthma endure that altitude? Is he crazy? Does he not remember all of those long, sleepless nights struggling to breathe. My only thought was no, he's not crazy. It's on his "bucket' list and he's an achiever! It was time for me to do some research.  

Mt. Kilimanjaro is the highest mountain in Africa. It's highest point, Uhuru Peak, rises to an altitude of 19,341 ft. There are six official trekking routes by which to climb Mt Kilimanjaro, namely: Marangu, Rongai, Shira, Umbwe, Machame, and Lemosho.

The extreme, oxygen starved altitude, low temperature and occasional high winds make this a difficult and dangerous trek. Acclimatization is essential, as all trekkers suffer considerable physical and mental discomfort; typically shortage of breath, hypothermia and headaches. According to the Kilimanjaro National Park website only 30% of trekkers actually reach the Uhuru summit. The Lemosho Route is chosen by only 8% of those who register for the climb. From the looks of it, he not only chose to climb the highest free-standing mountain in the world, he chose to go the long and hard way. I took a deep, calming breath and said to myself, "OK Mom, remember he is a Registered Nurse, has worked trauma for a number of years and knows how to prepare and take care of himself!" Somehow, even that did not allay my fears. As time for the adventure drew near, communication with Todd became even more unsettling.

On September 27th I received a note that said,

"heading out for a walk ... see you in a few weeks!"

Wait a minute! The Kilimanjaro climb doesn't start until October 7th. Did he say something about a "Mount Meru"? When did Mount Meru become part of the climbing plan? Upon query, his response was,

"Mom, it's just a 'little' mountain; less that 15,000 ft."

Where and what is Mount Meru? Now it was time for more research.  

Mount Meru is located 43 miles west of Mount Kilimanjaro. At a height of 14,980 ft, it is visible from Mount Kilimanjaro, and is the tenth highest mountain in Africa. At the summit, one can find a two meter high flag of Tanzania in metal and also a milestone in concrete with "Socialist Peak 4562.13M" written. I once again assured myself with the fact that he "knows how to prepare!". Mount Meru was a test climb to determine his ability to handle the altitude, or what is referred to as acclimatization; one's bodily adjustment to altitude.

October 2nd, I received this update:

"Heading to Mount Meru this morning in the pouring rain. I hope the giraffes are wearing their slickers!"

I believe the intent behind Todd's sense of humor was to keep me from worrying, as there are no internet updates on this climb AND he is required by Arusha National Park regulations to take an armed ranger with him as his guide. Not a very comforting prospect for a mother sitting half a world away. One glimmer of hope though, the rain that Todd was talking about; the same rain that battered the climbers on Mount Meru the night before; the same storm that kept them from summiting; conditions that several guides said they had not seen in 15 years, did clear as he began the trek and would not return for days as evident from the photos.

Finally, on October 5th, upon his return to his base in Arusha, an update:

"I have been tenderized enough that Kilimanjaro seems darned near possible. This wasn't an 'easy' climb (by any imagination). Now, only a day to 'rest fast' before the next adventure begins. The challenge in doing your laundry in the hotel sink is knowing the difference between the color of clean clothes and ... well ... the color of local water."

Once again, a little sense of humor to ease a mother's mind. But I have done my research. I know what is to come. Here is where my apprehension really took over. In preparing me for his journey, Todd provided a link to the company that was to guide him for his trek.

Through the The Team Kilimanjaro website, I could access updates from the guide who was to send them daily, allowing me to also follow his trek using Google maps. Whereas the adage of "no news is good news" is satisfactory for a 4 day climb on Mount Meru, that would not cut it for me on Mount Kilimanjaro. Also, one small tidbit he failed to tell me (which in his defense he did not know) was that there are few communication towers covering the northern, Lemosho side of the mountain; his chosen route.

Communication signals are hit or miss depending on the weather and climbers' location on the route. There were no updates for three days, other than the little green man on the Google maps to show me his location. So I poured a cup of coffee, pulled up a chair, joined hands with the "little green man", and watched. Through rain, mud, cloud cover, frosty temperatures and even more rain, updates from the guide gave camp locations and only a minimal report that all climbers were "doing well".

It was not until this post on October 12th that we knew anything specific:

"We are at School Hut and all 4 climbers are doing fine, getting ready for the ascent to the summit later tonight. It rained all morning."

Then news from the summit on October 13th:

"All 4 climbers successfully reached Uhuru Peak this morning @ 0725. All 4 climbers are doing well, feeling fine. We are about to head down to Mweka Camp via Barafu."  

CONGRATULATIONS! THEY MADE IT TO THE ROOF OF AFRICA! One more day for decent back to where they started and the journey is complete. Upon his return to the hotel in Arusha (and a much needed shower for sure), Todd shared with me his thoughts of the journey:

"The rumors of my success are NOT exaggerated! I am safe (if not slightly beaten) and sound (argue amongst yourselves). I could not have done it without the knowledge that you were all watching from above, pulling me up, step by step. My two trips provided equally challenging physical and mental effort. Mount Meru is as dramatic and foreboding as Mount Kilimanjaro, but in a different way. To climb Mount Meru, you have four days to climb over 3000 metres (9843 ft) to the summit. You start at around 1600 metres (5250 ft) and summit at 4565 m (14977 ft). This is three days of straight up through some very beautiful, albeit rugged landscape. The summit itself is much more physically demanding as you have to use all of your body to make it. Mt. Kilimanjaro is just a long slog on the last day. Each day presented its own challenges in landscape, terrain, and weather. We progressed through many different climate zones, rainforest, scrub, high alpine forest, and then a barren rockscape above tree line, but each beautiful in its own right. There is no other love than the pain in each step that reminds me what I have done."

And so, a mother's worries are over. . .for now. This is my son after all.