Summit Update – 9/28/09
Writing from 18-thousand feet on what promises to be a pretty chilly evening. Left at 6am with a variety of expectations. Consensus had us staying at Hans-Meyer. That looked optimistic after our first adventure on the winch. The first quarter mile took about an hour and a half. Soon thereafter we moved to the boards and picked up the pace considerably. I decided to push on past Hans-Meyer at just past 12:30.
Some of the terrain that I rode on the boards absolutely amazed me. I had thoughts of sleeping in the crater. Then we started the push past Gilman’s Point. As I rode the boards, my front wheels became light – something I thought I would only experience on slick rock.
As I covered the last 50 yards in at least a half hour, I had the vague thought that this must be what it is like to drown within reach of shore.
The days end mocked me as I attempted to reach in two to four foot increments. Bob, Nate and I are snuggled into our tent 18-thousand feet. The line of sun long departed up and the temperature is dropping, the wind rising and we are optimistic for a summit push tomorrow.
- Chris
Photos © Mike Stoner
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Chris- you are one seriously tough dude. Is Nate slowing you down?
Good luck with the final push. We have no doubts.
Meghan and Thomas
Your determination and perseverance are absolutley amazing. I’m with you all the way, Chris.
Marge Sherman
JAMBO Chris and all of you guys in the crater!!!
We’re loving following your fantastic journey… not a bad view for your birthday!!!
Waiting excitedly for the next report and photos!!
Tembo says Rock it!!
Yeah Chris!!! Keep it up. Its truly amazing, what you are doing and the views are amazing too!!!
Watching in awe, with pride and anticipation … And screaming at you from all the way down here : “Happy Birthday! Now….get to the top, you can celebrate later!”
Way to go Chris! Am totally impressed and can’t wait to see you at the top!
Happy Birthday!
Happy birthday Chris! Good job. We are all rooting for you!!!
Looking forward to photos of you on the summit tomorrow. Say hello to Mr. More for us.
Chris,
You are simple amazing! You are an inspiration to more people then you can imagine, a real super hero! Keep it up, I am on pins and needles waiting for that summit call from Missy… Team Nyarady is rooting for you here at 120 ft (in MA)
Dude… Happy Birthday, What a birthday!!!!
Wow. It’s all I can say. Happy Birthday! What a way to celebrate…
Chris -
If you’re at 18,000 ft. (at the glacier I presume), this last bit should be doable – but hard. Just remember “pole pole” and you have so many people pulling you up with their thoughts.
Onward brother!
Kurt Bestor
What a day! I can’t wait to hear the next news from the top. Love, Aunt Beth
Chris, Happy Birthday!!!! You go man! I wish I could see you summit. I am there in spirit as are many who can’t believe your courage and determination. You are just amazing. Ginger
Happy Birthday Chris! You are an inspiration.
Chris,
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, you are amazing and an inspiration to so many people.
The “old Nyarady’s” are rooting for you….Summit here he comes..
Can’t imagine what it must be like! Best of luck tomorrow, can’t wait to see your post from the top. Beth
Happy Birthday!!! OMG you are almost there.. I can’t wait for the update from the summit!!! I know you can make..
Brenda
Amazing, truly amazing—-sending b-day wishes, positive thoughts and prayers!!!!! Lori
Chris, love and support from all of the Park City Peeks!! Can’t wait to hear about the epic event. Get home safe and successful!!!
Happy Birthday Chris, I hope that your birthday challenge is all you hoped for. Congratulations!
Hello Chris, This is Bob’s cousin Gail now hailing from Alabama. May you have strength, endurance and perseverance for each step of the way! My prayers and support go with you for tomorrow! What a great birthday present to yourself! A summit. Press on, be safe and carpe diem!
Gail
You are almost there! Keep it up
Happy Birthday!
Roni Sue
Chris – Belated Happy Birthday! Your quest to raise the bar in the perception of disabled abilities has, in itself, provided the backdrop to the power of a single man to elevate himself above mere manhood into the annals of almost superhuman strength, determination, vision – humbling us in the sheer magical magnitude of man vs. the mountain. Your victory will be joyously celebrated!
“Chris, you rock!! Go, go, go. We will see you soon. Say hi to our dad from us.”
Chris, you are AWESOME! Always great to see you doing something amazing and showing the rest of us that impossible is indeed possible. Keep inspiring us all. Molly sends her best too!!! ps. Happy birthday!
What can I say – seeing the photos and reading blog gives me a thrill.
All the best!!
Missing to reach the summit on your brithday, today should be your day. You already reached so much more than just climing this tremendous mountain. Happy brithday and good luck for all further steps to come. We are proud to work with you and hopefully there will be many more occations.
Take care and have a save trip down again.
Andreas and the whole ParalympicSport.TV team
Hi Chris,
This is Bob’s other cousin, thoughts and good wishes are with you all, what a team! Savor the effort and the journey, it doesn’t get any better than that.
Hope you make it to the top today. Keep Climbing! We think it is great that in the end the Tanzanians will receive special wheelchairs from you.
Mrs. Bower’s 3rd grade class
Jambo Chris, Mike and crew: It’s so amazing to follow your progress via the various web sites and blogs. The photos are great and there’s a lot of great buzz about what you’re doing. I thought so much about you all last night as you were starting your final push to the summit. I know how hard that mountain is – the cold ad the altitude, and I know that everyone in your group is giving it everything they have because of how much they believe in your mission. I have no doubt that you’re probably at the top right now, sitting on that beautiful summit looking out over all of Tanzania and Kenya. You conquered a mountain in so many ways.
What an amazing journey for you, your team and for everyone who can be inspired by and learn from your tenacity, will and purpose. The beautiful people of Tanzania are lucky to have you as their ambassador.
Be well, rest well and enjoy the feeling of all you’ve accomplished.
Chris- So great to see you are doing great and that Bomba is treating you well! Hope the winch holds out for the final push, amazing to see how well the boards are working! Everyone here at REG can’t wait for your next post. Hopefully you already enjoying the view from the top. Amazing work- Climb On!
August
You don’t know me but I am incredibly inspired by your courage and determination. Good luck!!!
Get it Chris and crew. It’s all a team effort, whatever we do. I am so excited and proud for you. You shine that light on what’s possible, anything! with a little adaptation. Yeah a huh We all win with the great work you are doing, I appreciate you, Thanks so much. Now for a shower
and some bday treat.
From your 2007 post:
But, hindsight, like avoiding that pile of poo, only comes when you’ve emerged on the other side. We can’t see when we’re in the darkness. We can’t imagine solvency when all we have are bills. We can’t imagine teamwork when we feel alone, but that’s the nature of dreams. The ones worth achieving are the ones worth walking through the dark, or riding right through that pile of poo.
Chris, it’s called faith that keeps us knowing that we are all connected and that dreams have a reason, a better world of love, inclusion and fun!