PROSTATE CANCER CLIMB
To Benefit
Hap Weyman Memorial Prostate Cancer Fund
of the Prostate Cancer Research Institute

Dates of the Climb:
We need to be in Moche, Tanzania on Saturday, September 13 for orientation and equipment check. The climb will begin on Sunday, September 14 and take six days and five nights. Following a four-day trek, we plan to summit Kilimanjaro's 19,340-foot Uhuru Peak on Thursday, September 18. After descending and camping one more night on the mountain, we will be back at our hotel on Friday, September 19. If you do not plan to do a safari (more information below) you should plan on leaving the U.S. by Thursday, September 11 at the very latest as this will ensure arrival for the Saturday orientation. You can then plan to fly out of Africa on Saturday, September 20, arriving back in the U.S. on Sunday, the 21st.

Who's Going:
The climb is being co-sponsored by two non-profit 501(c)(3) prostate organizations: PCRI (Prostate Cancer Research Institute), the lead agency, and PAF (Prostate Awareness Foundation). PCRI will have about 25 men and women on the climb; PAF four. Our guide service tells us they can accommodate as many as 80 men and women. Realistically, we will probably bring 20-30.

Who's Eligible:
We are trying to emphasize men with prostate cancer, but the expedition is not limited to that profile. 2001’s climb to Mt. Aconcagua included some men with prostate cancer, but also others who had been touched by the disease (a father, relative, or close friend with prostate cancer). I would like to personally talk with anyone interested in joining the expedition or who just wants to help from here in the United States.

The Guides:
We have selected Zara, one of the premier guide services for Kilimanjaro expeditions. You can find more information about Zara, the climb, the safari options, and other details at www.zaratravel.com. (We will be taking the Rongai Route.)

The Climb:
The cost is $800 per person for the climb. This includes all food, guides, bearers (2 per person), National Park permit fees, and two night’s hotel (one before and one after). Tips for the guides and bearers are not included, but will be inexpensive. A non-refundable deposit of 20% ($160) will be required no latter than January 30, 2003. The balance of $640 is due no latter than July 10.

Airfare:
Airfare estimates are between $1,200 and $1,500. Flights will vary depending on your departure point. Usually, the earlier you can commit and lock in a fare, the lower the rate will be. The flights usually go through Amsterdam in the Netherlands and then on to Kilimanjaro Airport in Moche. More information will follow.

Equipment:
The Prostate Cancer Climb on Aconcagua was sponsored by a number of outdoor equipment companies that included North Face, JanSport, Outdoor Research and Marmot. We had to furnish our own boots and a few other incidentals. We are hoping that these sponsors and others will help us once again, but there are no guarantees. We encourage you to start breaking in your personal boots NOW!

Bottom Line:
Each climber is being asked to raise $2,000 for the Hap Weyman Memorial Prostate Cancer Fund, as administered by the Prostate Cancer Research Institute. For each dollar raised, PCRI will allot 33 cents for climber support. In this manner, fully two-thirds of every dollar raised goes toward prostate cancer research and education.

Safari:
Some of you will wish to take a safari while in Africa. It’s such a long way to go, why not take advantage of this once in a lifetime opportunity? This would be an “out- of-pocket-expense” and not part of the climb. The safari can be undertaken in a number of different ways, from five-star luxury, to tent camping and much in between. One trip we are currently looking into would cost $80 per day per person. It is a tent camping experience where we would set up our own tents supplied by the guide service. The cost includes all meals, guides, Land Rovers, park permit fees and tents. We are also looking into the other lodging opportunities and other companies. You can look up safari information and itineraries at www.zaratravel.com. To do a safari before the climb would mean leaving the U.S. on or about Thursday, September 4 and beginning the safari on or about Saturday, September 6 and returning Friday, September 12 back at the hotel with enough time for the Saturday, September 13 climb orientation. Others may choose to do the climb first and then stay on for the safari. One way or the other, please let me know your interest in this non-mandatory phase of the expedition. The larger the group, the lower the potential cost.

Other Responsibilities:
We will be asking everyone to compose a brief story about themselves and the reason they are climbing for prostate cancer. This can be done by filling out our electronic registration card (coming soon). We also will need a digital image of each climber to be posted in our biographical section.