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August 12, 2011
A team of 37 doctors, professionals and business leaders who support the Royal Alexandra Hospital Foundation are now climbing Mount Kilimanjaro (5,895 metres) to raise a half-million dollars for orthopedics excellence in Alberta. Here, sharing their progress with the community in his daily dispatch, is the foundation’s Michael Chevalier in Edmonton.
Day: 5
Elevation: 3,500 metres
(see previous daily reports)
RONGAI ROUTE, Tanzania — Day five of Kilimanjaro Climb 2011 proved a shorter trek for the team as they followed the trail across open moors in the direction of the jagged summit of Mawenzi, one of the volcanic cones that form the peak of Mount Kilimanjaro.
Rainy, misty weather shadowed the team as they hiked past giant groundsels — large flowering plants that look like candelabras the size of telephone poles.
“After our first night on the mountain, I think we all were thinking the same thing: it’s becoming evident that climbing Kilimanjaro is not a walk in the park,” says climber Sharlene Rutherford, as she laughs.
“We’ve dealt with some light rain and seen a lot of interesting terrain — rainforests, grasslands — and it’s been fascinating to pass through such an exotic environment.”
Corporal Mark Fuchko, one of the Canadian Forces members on the Kilimanjaro team, says he and his military comrades have been using their unique military experience to assist the team whenever they can.
“The way we approach this hike is probably a bit different than the way non-military personnel approach it,” says Fuchko.
“Part of our military training is doing long hikes with heavy packs, so we’ve learned how to pace ourselves in extreme conditions. The main thing is to keep the mutual support going. From day one, we wanted to support each other and make sure that each member of the team is successful with their climb.”
For the Royal Alex’s intrepid team of mountaineers, the adventure to scale Mount Kilimanjaro — the rooftop of Africa — is now underway.
At 5,895 metres (19,340 feet), Mount Kilimanjaro stands as one of the true wonders of the natural world. It has inspired poets and writers through the ages and captivated some of history's most daring explorers.
A group of 37 doctors, professionals and business leaders who support the Royal Alexandra Hospital are enjoying their journey of a lifetime as they ascend the fabled slopes.
Each volunteer climber is paying for their own travel expenses to and from Africa and all costs associated with the climb.
As well, each climber is committed to raise funds for the Royal Alexandra Hospital and its new Orthopedic Surgery Centre, a new building dedicated solely to hip and knee replacements and an exciting new hub of innovative orthopedics research.
With support from corporate sponsors, local businesses and the fundraising efforts of the climbers, the goal is to raise more than $500,000 in support of orthopedics excellence in Alberta.
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