Me acting silly on a Colorado summit, Grays Peak (14,270')

I would consider both of us in pretty good shape for 40 years old.  We can get out there and run 6 miles without any problem.  But how will we do climbing for several days straight with 20 pound backpacks on our back, traveling through all 7 climate zones and then summit day being the hardest day yet?  We both know we have some physical training to do in order to be prepared.  That is why we joined a gym and hired some personal trainers this weekend.  I am not overly excited at the thought of becoming a gym rat, but I know that I need to pack on at least 5 additional pounds of muscle weight to have the stregth to endure this climb.  Last week we received the 27-page training and condition guide from our expedition group, Mountain-Vision Expeditions.  Yikes!  Reality is sinking in.  We need to get our butts in gear — now.

On an inspiring note, we had the pleasure of following the expedition of Mission Kilimanjaro through their blog posts as they ascended a few weeks ago.  If you have the time, you should watch the story the Fox Atlanta news did on Kyle Maynard, a congenital quad amputee, made it to the top!  So many people that we come across that find out that we are doing this trip say there is no way they would attempt this challenge.  I say, check out Kyle’s story.  This is one man who did not let any obstacles stand in his way.  I also say, also check out Francis Chan’s analogy of a life and a balance beam.  These are the things that keep me inspired.  Taking chances by getting outside your comfort zone really allows you to learn life lessons you would not have otherwise.  Our Africa trip is going to be so much more than the climb - we want to meet the phenomenal African people and culture,  experience God’s creation there,  get to know our guides and fellow climbers and meet our World Vision family there in Tanzania.  There are so many life lessons to be learned on this journey that we will bring back to our family.  You may not be inclined to climb a large mountain or head to a far off land, but ask yourself — how do you need to challenge yourself this year?  How do you need to branch outside your comfort zone for God, yourself, your spouse and/or your family?  Face that fear head-on so you can get to that next level of life.  You won’t regret it!

Angela

I’ve been reading through our guide’s recommended gear list, listening to suggestions from friends, reading books, and reflecting on my own experiences with what I like to bring hiking.  This massive amount of information gets even more confusing when you realize that the highly-competitive outdoor products industry comes out with newer and better products at a pace that rivals the consumer electronics market.  And then I’m expected to literally weigh the choices to stay within the porter load limit and my own desire to be light and fast.

Most people just go to a store to outfit for a trip like this, and then are lead around by a salesperson picking up a host of items and equipment with the end user having no idea as to its intended function, how to use it, and wind up spending twice as much as they should.  But I’m not most people, and if you ask my friends, they’ll tell you I’m a gear nut (or nerd) who loves to research and pre-think my choices to get the best personal match-up of equipment at the lowest possible price.  And with 8 months before our departure, I have the luxury of time.

If you’re like me, and you like learning what works and why, or how to make the best choices for yourself, then with enough comments from you below, I’ll be glad to write everything I’ve learned.  However, what I’ve discovered is most people are more like my wife, and just want to jump to the bottom-line conclusions.  I’ll share these as I come to these conclusions and start to buy gear.

This week Patagonia has its base layers (when I was growing up these were called Long Johns or thermal underwear) on sale for 50% off through January 9, 2011.  So Angela and I purchased another 8 items on top of what we already own based on the suggestion of a friend of mine, Keith.  When he climbed Kilimanjaro several years ago, one of the simple things he enjoyed was having a fresh base layer top to put on every day.  He explained they don’t weigh very much, and pack up really small.  We purchased a mixture of weights and fabrics to match our days on the mountain, going with capilene 1 for the first and last days, a hooded merino 3 for Jeff and merino 4 for Angela for summit day and a mix of capilene 2 and merino 3 for all the other days.  My personal experience with the capilene (a polyester blend) is it’s slightly more comfortable and wicks slightly better than the merino wool.  The merino wool is more comfortable in cooler temperatures and does not retain the same odorific smells that accumulate and persist in the polyester fabrics.

One of the things I love about Texas winters are the occasional 70 degree days.  Yesterday’s weather made for a great trail run at one of my favorite spots – Arbor Hills Nature Preserve in Plano.   The dirt paths wind up and down hills and are heavily wooded.  Getting the new gear early means I’ll be able to keep running outside when the weather finally decides to get cold here.  Getting what we needed on sale, and being able to use it to help prepare for Kilimanjaro is one of the big benefits of taking the time to prepare early.

Jeff “The Gear Nerd”

My fears have surely been my nemesis.  But ironically, battling my irrational fears have actually been the catalyst of me not living a boring life.  I guess you could say that I have courage, as it is fueled by my refusal to allow fear from keeping me from the life that God has intended.  It may surprise you that I do things that many fear – I am a public speaker, I’ve bungy jumped, I scuba dive and I would actually skydive if given the opportunity.  I am always doing things regardless of the fear that lies ahead of me.    You know, there are tons of Biblical scripture that talk about fear – and I use them often, along with prayer – to tackle life’s challenges.  My favorite one is Philippians 4:6-7: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

When Jeff approached me about the idea of climbing Kilamanjaro, I told him I would think about it.  Little did he know that I already had my answer in my mind (no!), but wanted more time to elapse before sounding too close-minded.  But what I didn’t realize was that the wait of my not fully answering Jeff allowed for my heart to change.  As I was running one morning, I thought, “You know, this trip to Africa and climbing Kili could actually be a spiritual quest that will help put fear in its place once and for all.”  [I believe that God gave me that thought.]  I came to the realization that this will be a good time for God and I to do some serious business so I can continue to mature spiritually for myself and others around me.   Someone like me loves the modern conveniences of living where we do in suburbia – the comfort of my home, the short treks to stores that carry daily necessities and the security of knowing that God forbid something happened, there is an emergency room and hospital just one mile from my home.  In  Africa, and I will be forced to draw my security from God only.  Gone are many of the modern conveniences that I (falsely) find much of my security in.  There we will be, high up, a world away from home and far away from most people.  It’s so good to know that there is no place in the world where God is not.   God is, and will be in Africa with us in August.

So yes, there are lions and cheetahs and bugs – oh my.  And many other dangers like high altitude sickness, malaria and all kinds of unknowns.  But I am sick of being dominated by worry of the “what if’s.”  This is my way of facing them head on!  I turned 40 years old this year, and I have too many real-life adventures to enjoy with my husband, children and friends.

There are too many people that are controlled by fear and worry.  Surely you don’t have to travel to Africa to prove your fight like me, but have you ever thought about the things you would do without them?  You may actually conquer the world.

Angela

Two weeks ago today, I had the honor of climbing with Charley Mace, one of America’s most accomplished Himalayan mountaineers.  So far, all of my climbing has been done in the summer, and I was looking to learn something new.  After the first hour, it became obvious that it’s been 15 months since my last climb, and that I’d been sedentary for 10 of those months while healing from back to back ankle surgeries (indoor soccer tore me up).  Charley continued to be patient and teach me how to move quicker and more efficiently to be safe.  We also had plenty of time to get to know each other, and I got to hear some truly amazing stories – about some of our veteran soldiers. 

You see, Charley is currently the CEO of a charity organization known as Soldiers to the Summit, and is using his gift for climbing to teach far greater lessons to our veterans who have returned home different than how they left.  If you know a veteran of the armed services who is having severe trouble re-adjusting to normal day to day activities, then perhaps Charley and his group can help. If you feel led to give to help these men and women, please make a donation in any amount through the above linked website.

Keep an eye out for the upcoming movie, High Ground, about leading their first group of 11 wounded veterans up Lobuche, a 20,075 foot peak in the shadow of Everest, and the healing that takes place as a result. The day before our climb, Charley had just returned from Washington, DC, where he previewed the film before members of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Leon Panetta, and several veterans from Bethesda Medical.

On this Veterans Day, I want to thank my father (Colonel, TXANG (ret) – Operation Desert Freedom/Storm), and all those who have sacrificed themselves for the freedom we hold sacred. 

Jeff with Merry Beth and Jeff Evans of Mountain Vision Expeditions

Commitment.  The very word conjures fear in many people, but have you ever committed to something you love doing?  That’s what we did this past weekend – paid the deposit and turned in the paperwork to Mountain Vision Expeditions.  I guess there’s no turning back now, which in all honesty is a little scary.  All the “what if’s” start to come into play, and the battle to build mental strength begins.

Sitting at the computer screen this morning the “what if’s” seem so varied and numerous that I could never count them as fast as my mind could produce them.  However, I know the importance of staying focused and controlling that fear.  On summit morning next August, the number of “what if’s” won’t be nearly as numerous, but the intensity level will ramp up many
times over.  Learning to handle the worries by changing my focus, my perspective is extremely important.  It’s not merely a matter of pushing the fearful thoughts out of your mind – they have a way of returning and seem even more rational the second time around – it’s about transforming fears into excitement!

Taking a few specific examples of fear that appear to be rational regarding Kilimanjaro:

1)     The cost.  We are neither rich, nor are we poor, and like everyone else in the middle class, we could always use the money toward something else.  However, we value our relationship and shared life experiences above material goods.

2)      It’s a long ways away in what most consider to be a third world country.  We view this as an entirely new culture with interesting people, who we look forward to meeting and learning from.

3)      It’s too hard physically.  We believe fitness level is an important part of living a full life, but understand that staying fit merely for the purpose of staying fit isn’t a good enough reason (for us).  Having a goal larger than ourselves gives us ample motivation to work out on days we don’t feel like it, and to push those workouts even harder.

This is a microcosm for dealing with real life fears.  It’s important to learn to change one’s perspective around and enjoy the life we have been given.

Allow challenges in your life to strengthen your faith in God.

Well, this is it.  A trip of a lifetime!  We have decided to climb Mount Kilamnjaro in Tanzania, departure set for August 14, 2012.  The average person thinks we’re crazy and some moutaineers say, “it’s really no big deal.”  But it’s a big deal to us for many reasons; phrases such as “third world country,” “mega-distance from home,” ”offspring abandonment” and “mucho monetary committment” are the very first that come to mind.  But yes!  It will be a physical and mental challenge for us.  But we’re doing it anyway, refusing to live the safest life possible, for many reasons (not necessarily in order of priority):

1.  We love the outdoors.  We especially love mountains.  It’s the feeling you get when you’re out in the middle of nowhwere and you just completely download from life.  Do you know that feeling?  We live in one of the largest metropolitan cities in the U.S. (Dallas/Fort. Worth, TX) and you can feel overwhelmed by the hustle and bustle around you.  That is why we like to travel get outside to where we can immediately feel still in God’s presence.

2. We want to go on a spiritual journey.  Mount Kilamnjaro is a really a metaphor for mountains that need to be overcome in our own lives.  Everyone has them, and we are certainly no different.  We are Christ followers who are active in our faith, and we believe God will be working things through us in preparation for and during our expedition.  As we have prayed, it has been more and more clear to us what he wants to do in us individually.  More about this in future posts.

3. We want to help others.  Our participation in this trek will allow opportunities to help a bigger cause.  We’re headed to one of the poorest areas on our plant, and we can’t contemplate traveling there without pouring our hearts out to them.  We named this blog, “Will Climb 4 Food” because we want to raise funds for families in need of the very basic necessities in life.  It’s hard for us to imagine not being able to provide the very basics for our children such as food or water.  Could you imagine?  We live in the land of the plenty, and we are so sheltered from all the famines that are currently going on in other parts of the world.  So from now until August 2012, we have a goal to raise $10,000 for the animal and agriculture fund at World Vision.  We will talk more about this in future posts, but do check out our fundraising page and help us start with a generous donation.  :-)

4. We want to defy our age.  We both turned 40 this year and sarcopenia is already setting in.  That basically means the same workout regimen today will not yield the same results as it did yesterday.  This trek will give us just the push we need to take our fitness to the next level.  We’ll use Angela’s nutrition expertise to maximize our results.

Our hope is that anyone who reads this blog goes on this journey with us in some or all of these areas.  What is the mountain in your own life?  I know you have at least one.  We will be writing very candidly about the physical challenges in training, and also the emotional and spiritual challenges that we seek to overcome  as we trust God on this journey.  Will you join us?

Answering the call,

Jeff & Angela <><