Our team members:

Upcoming Events and Ways you Can Help:

For more information about this event, to donate items or give us your fundraising ideas, please contact Margot Beauchamp at 604.904.4087 or e-mail her at m.beauchamp@nsdrc.org

Why Mt. Kilimanjaro?

The Climb to the Top of Mt. Kilimanjaro, 2006

The Climb for Community Living is an exciting public awareness and fundraising initiative. Why are we doing it?

We will raise public awareness of challenges facing people with developmental disabilities and their families. We will also celebrate the accomplishments of our many years of advocacy.

We will raise funds so we can work for justice, rights and opportunities for children, youth and adults with developmental disabilities. Our fundraising will also help sustain our member associations so they can deliver support services in communities throughout BC, including housing, job support, family support and other assistance.

We will support people with developmental disabilities to reach new heights, literally. We want to send a message worldwide that anything is possible in a community where everyone belongs.

About the Climb 

On February 7, 2006, a team of 16 self advocates and 29 supporters from British Columbia will leave Vancouver International Airport to embark on a journey of a lifetime. After an 18 hour flight, our team will arrive on the sandy plains of Tanzania, home of the majestic Mt. Kilimanjaro. 

In the following nine days, our team will climb 19,341 feet, through five different types of terrains and climate zones—forest, heath and moorland, highland desert, and the icy glaciers that circle the top of Mt. Kilimanjaro. Under the guidance of Berg Adventures and a team of local mountain guides, the climbers will tackle heat, exhaustion, challenging terrain and altitudes with only half as much oxygen than what their bodies are accustomed to.  

This journey will be a test of strength and determination and push endurance levels to unimaginable heights. It will demonstrate what is possible if we share the same beliefs, values, goals and desires. This is the power of unity in a team.

Seven Days to the Top of Mt. Kilimanjaro

February 7:  Day 1 ~ Our team departs from Vancouver, Canada.

February 8:  Day 2 ~ Our team arrives at Kilimanjaro International Airport, where they are met by Berg Adventures staff and transferred to their hotel. 

February 9:  Day 3 ~ A full day of activities including team orientation at 8 a.m., packing and trip preparation, and an afternoon for hiking, a visit to the town of Arusha, or sleeping off jet lag.

February 10:  Day 4 ~ The journey is underway! Our team is driven to Lemosho Glades at 6890 ft (2100m). Here they will meet local staff and porters, and then hike to Big Tree Camp at 9,200 ft (2804m) in a beautiful old growth forest. 

February 11:  Day 5 ~ Our team will cross the spectacular and remote Shira Ridge, then descend a short distance to Shira I Camp on the Shira Plateau at 11,450 ft (3500m).

February 12:  Day 6 ~ Today’s walk is uphill, but short. Our team moves to a very special place - “Scott Fischer’s Camp” at 12,600 ft (3850 m). 

February 13:  Day 7 ~ Today our team moves even higher to the Moir Camp at 13,500 ft(4114m). This spectacular camp is located beneath the Northern Ice fields of Kilimanjaro.

February 14:  Day 8 ~ Our team ascends through the moorland and alpine desert zones to the Lava Tower camp at 15,090 ft (4600m). 

February 15:  Day 9 ~ Our team ascends to Arrow Glacier Camp at 15,750 ft (4800m).

February 16:  Day 10 ~ Our team will cross the Western Breach into the crater, camping at 18,700 ft (5700m).

February 17:  Day 11 ~ Summit day. In less than two hours from camp, a measured pace will get our team to the highest spot in Africa, Uhuru Point at 19,339 ft (5894m). They will then begin their descent via the Barafu Route all the way to 10,000 feet at the top of the forest.

February 18:  Day 12 ~ Mission accomplished – our team will walk through the forest to the park gate, where Land Cruisers are waiting to take them back to Arusha.

For more information about the climb and the other 15 teams that will be attempting this challenge please go to www.bcacl.org