I'm somewhere over Minnesota, cruising at 33,000 feet, making my way (the long way perhaps with stops in Frankfurt and Addis Ababa) to Tanzania. This will be my 12th (I think, maybe 13th) climb of Kilimanjaro, and I couldn't be more excited. Sure, I always love my times on Kili: there's stunning scenery, fun terrain, […]

We still haven’t become mature enough to think of ourselves as only a tiny part of a vast and incredible universe. - Rachel Carson It was one of the brightest Milky Ways I’ve ever seen. Together the Team Twende kids and I stood under the watchful gaze of Mawenzi - the serrated satellite of Kilimanjaro […]

To those who have struggled with them the mountains reveal beauties they will not disclose to those who make no effort. That is the reward the mountains give to effort. And it is because they have so much to give and give it so lavishly to those who will wrestle with them that men love the mountains and go back to them again and again.

I always get nervous before a big trip or expedition. But especially this time, taking my kids to Mount Kilimanjaro. Within the nervousness, though, is excitement about the life lessons they will soon learn.