The Final Stretch

The clock is ticking down, and I’m close to being packed for departure in 5 days. The last month has been a whirlwind of preparations and fundraising.  I’m immensely grateful to my friends and family for their contributions to Dreams Take Flight.  I’ve been able to meet my fundraising target, and even exceed it, though… Read More »

Fundraiser Tickets – $10

For tickets to the February 28th fundraiser at Fatboys Southern Smokehouse, please use the donations page or the link below to make a payment of at least $10 per ticket (more generous donations will be gratefully received by the charity).  All funds raised, including tickets and silent auction, go entirely to the charity. It’s very… Read More »

Fundraiser on Friday February 28th

We’ll be holding a fundraiser on Friday, February 28th at Fatboys Southern Smokehouse at 34 Murray Street in the Byward Market. This is a joint fundraiser with another climber for a different charity, so when you arrive, please make sure at the door they know you’re there for the Dreams Take Flight, the children’s charity.… Read More »

A Very Generous Donation

A very generous donation of $1,000 from the Rotary Club of South Nepean brings my total half way to the target of $5,000.  Many Thanks!!

Progress

An eventful start to the New Year, as a shoulder injury sidelined me for part of the month and slowed my training. Fortunately I’m getting right back into it, with 8 sets of 32 floors in stair training on Saturday, followed by a 2.5 hour training hike in deep snow oin Sunday. Fantastic to be… Read More »

A New Year, Lots Happening

As the New Year breaks, I’m back to stair training, and have two fundraisers in the works for February. Looking forward to a training hike on Sunday in the Gatineau Hills.

Training Milestone

Achieved a major milestone in training today, 10 sets of 32 floors up and down in less than 10 minutes each set. To up the ante, every second set was done two steps at a time, which is a whole different game.

Here’s What It’s All About

Behind all the preparations to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro in April is a quest to support a fantastic charity, the Ottawa Chapter of Dreams Take Flight, which provides a magical experience for children facing difficult challenges in life. Here’s a sample of what you’re supporting when you donate to Dreams Take Flight Ottawa through my donation… Read More »

Stair Training continues

8 sets of stairs today for a total of 256 floors, up and down.  It’s great to see the stamina building.  Climbing a mountain or not, this is a terrific way to get in shape.

Mt. Marcy Training Hike

This weekend was spent in Lake Placid, where the Kilimanjaro Dream Team 2014 went for a training hike on Mt. Marcy, the highest peak in New York State.  While there wasn’t time to make the peak and return before dark, we completed a hard slogging 4 hour trek up steep, rocky, ice covered trails before… Read More »

Training Continues

5 sets of 33 floors last night, after two weeks out of town where I could only run, with no high stairwell available. I should be well set for the training hike on Mt. Marcy south of Lake Placid this weekend. Next week I can push the stair training up to 7-8 sets or try… Read More »

First Day of Stair Training

I wasn’t quite sure what to expect, but I made 4 sets up and down 33 flights of stairs, in 12-13 minutes per round trip. Much better than I hoped for, never having tried until today. Thanks to Shawn, Cherie and Don for the company and advice. And to the Minto Suites Hotel for allowing… Read More »