Comments on: A White Christmas in Africa?!

By: Roger AC Williams

Roger AC Williams — Tue, 22 Nov 2005 00:57:01 +0000

Congratulations! What route did you take? I climbed it in Mar 73 by the huts route, a solo backpacking trip; they didn’t have all that red tape then w/guides, porters, permits that afflicts too many mountains (I had to take a guide up Bukit Kinabalu on Borneo). No sign then, and no bare ground: the summit was a big snow dome with just a pole stuck in it. I made good time, watching the sun rise from Gilman’s Point on the crater rim, though the last climb to Pt. Uhuru was slow, take 2 steps, stop for breath, repeat. As I started down, I passed 2 CZ motorbikes making the first and probably last ascent by dirt bike!

I tried again with Mt. Travel.Sobek in 96 by the Shira Route, but we turned back at Arrow Glacier due to bad weather. 23 years older, I was just ~clapped out at 16 000′ anyway. Came down by the Mweka Route; it was awful. I did climb Meru, a goal since 73.

Happy trekking, a great avocation; I’ve done a lot of it, from Peru to the Centre. Roger Williams, Boulder, Colorado.

By: Henry Malmgren

Henry Malmgren — Wed, 05 Jan 2005 12:21:25 +0000

Well, I was near the Tanzanian coast when it happened, but luckily they were far enough from the epicenter of the quake that nothing happened for them..I doubt they even got a surge of a foot or so.

Unfortunately, one of my favorite places that I spent time in was an island called Pulah Weh, just north of Banda Aceh. I’ve sent a couple of e-mails to the dive shop there, and haven’t heard anything back at all. I’d be surprised if anyone there survived, or if there is anything left of the place. It’s a bit sobering to think that if this had happened in Feb of ’03, I’d be dead.

By: Robert

Robert — Mon, 03 Jan 2005 16:37:48 +0000

Happy New Year Henry!

Just a quick question. You’re a bit closer to the Indian Ocean than we are… what are you hearing and seeing about the tsunamis?

I visited Phucket a few years ago, and my brother was in Bali over Thanksgiving, so I keep thinking about the places I saw and wondering if they exist anymore.

You’ve been to a lot of these places too, are there any that you know of that are gone?

Sorry to bring things down, and I hope you’re still enjoying your trip.

Robert

By: Georgette

Georgette — Mon, 03 Jan 2005 15:08:49 +0000

Wow! What a fabulous way to celebrate! David had to work a late shift Christmas Eve, so I rode out with him and the city was very quiet for a Christmas Eve night. After he got off duty, we went home, changed and went to midnight Mass. We slept in late the next morning, picked up the kids from their mom’s, and enjoyed watching them tear into the presents under the trees. (Yes, we did two Christmas trees this year!) We had a friend over for dinner that evening– pork loin medallions, glazed carrots, mashed potatoes– and enjoyed some champagne as well.

Look forward to reading more of your adventures!