THE KILIMANJARO CLIMB FOR USHER SYNDROME

Our awesome climbers made it to the summit! Their journey signifies both the uphill battle against Usher syndrome and the power of persistence. We are so proud of them. Honor their commitment with a donation.

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The Climbers

All the climbers have personal reasons for supporting Hear See Hope and taking part in the epic Kili Climb for Usher Syndrome. We’re so grateful for their support and perseverance. Read their stories here and find out why they chose to join the climb.

THE MCKITTRICKS

Todd and Cole McKittrick
​Todd and Cole will tackle Kilimanjaro in honor of Conner and Dalton McKittrick, who live with Usher syndrome. Todd and Lane founded Hear See Hope when Conner, was diagnosed. The Kili Climb is just their latest effort to raise awareness and funds to continue the fight for a cure. Todd’s nephew Tony Zamora is excited to join them on this adventure and support the cause.

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THE SHOEMAKERS

Larry and Lauren Shoemaker
Lauren and I have been involved with Hear See Hope since its founding more than 10 years ago. We became involved because Lauren and Conner have been friends since preschool. We also have a love of the outdoors and hiking. We want to raise awareness and funds for Hear See Hope so that a cure can be found and enable more people to be able to see for themselves the beauty all around the world. Climbing Kilimanjaro combines these two passions that we share!

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KARMEN TRZUPEK

Karmen Trzupek
​I first met Todd, Lane, and Conner when I was working as a genetic counselor at the Casey Eye Institute in Portland, OR and Conner was diagnosed with Usher syndrome.  I have met literally thousands of patients and families with retinitis pigmentosa and Usher syndrome, but Todd and Lane are the only ones who walked away from the diagnosis and started a foundation. I’ve been honored to serve on their Board of Directors for the last 10 years.  Todd swam my first training swim with me when I got talked into completing a triathlon; it’s only fair that he and Conner have now talked me into a climb for Usher syndrome.
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THE HOHIMERS

David, Sue-Ann, Hudson, Jack, Harrison, and Maxwell Hohimer
The Hohimer Family is excited to join the adventure in finding a cure for Usher syndrome. The climb being made by dedicated researchers in the field is truly exciting and offers hope for families like our friends, the McKittricks, and others affected by Usher Syndrome. We have proudly supported the Hear See Hope organization for years, drawn into it by the common bond we share with the founders in that like us, they know the daily joys and challenges of bringing up four boys. Their optimism in spite of the added struggle of Usher syndrome affecting two of their sons, is inspirational. Their efforts to work on behalf of all people with Usher syndrome is aspirational. We hope you’ll join us in supporting a cure as we aspire to reach the summit.

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The Itinerary

Climbers are summited Mt. Kilimanjaro in seven days. Their trip began July 29 with ascent starting August 1.

• JULY 29, 2018
  Depart country of origin for Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), Tanzania.
• JULY 30, 2018
  Arrive in Tanzania. Airport pickup and transfer to New Arusha Hotel in Arusha, Tanzania.
• JULY 31, 2018
  Rest Day. Orientation and gear check. We meet over breakfast at the hotel and join a detailed group orientation covering all aspects of the climb. After Lunch we have a through equipment check and those interested can join a walking tour (offsite) of Arusha before diner. O/N New Arusha hotel.
• AUGUST 1, 2018
  Machame Route, start to finish. Data is approximate.
  Distance: 64km / 39 miles in seven days.
  Elevation Gain: 4,891m / 16,044 ft
  Elevation Loss: 5,020m / 16,444 ftWe travel by Land Cruiser to the Machame trailhead, winding through coffee fields and small forests of ferns and flowers. After registering with the park service, we meet our porters from the Chagga Tribe, indigenous to the slopes of Kilimanjaro. They are an integral part of our African journey, becoming friends and providing insight into their culture and society.
  DAY 1 – CLIMB
  Start: Machame Gate 1830m / 6,000 ft
  End: Machame Hut 3000m / 9,900 ft
  Elevation gain: 1200m / 3900 ft
  Time: 6 hours on average
  Distance: About 10km / 6 miles
  Our climb begins on the edge of a rain forest (app. elevation 6,000 ft). Below the watchful eyes of the monkeys, we trek seven hours to the Machame Camp (10,000 ft) and set camp for the night.
• AUG. 2, 2018 
  DAY 2 – CLIMB
  Start: Machame Hut 3000m / 9,900 ft
  End: Shira Hut 3800m / 12,500 ft
  Elev gain: 800m / 2,600 ft
  Time: 4 –6 hours
  Average Distance: About 8km / 5 milesLeave the Machame Hut, cross a small valley, and begin our ascent. The environment changes from heath forest to moor lands. These moor lands are littered with two species of giant groundsel, Senecios and Lobelia. Halfway up the trail we meet a river gorge and ascend across the Shira Plateau (12,300 ft). We sleep at Shira Camp.
• AUGUST 3, 2018 
  DAY 3* – CLIMB
  Start: Shira Hut 3800m / 12,500 ft
  End: Barranco Hut 3900m / 12,900 ft
  Elev gain: 2100 ft
  Elev loss: 520m / 1700 ft
  Lava Tower option: additional 600 ft of gain/loss
  Time: 7- 9 hours average
  Distance: About 10km / 6 miles
  * Day includes critical acclimatization gain and lossToday we climb to 14,800 ft while crossing a ridge and viewing the plains far below. Here we eat lunch and admire the ancient glacier ice of the Breach Wall before dropping to our 12,800 ft campsite at Great Barranco.
• AUGUST 4, 2018 
  DAY 4 – CLIMB
  Start: Barranco Hut 3900m
  End: Karanga Valley 4,055m / 13,300 ft
  Elev gain: 400m / 1,300 ft
  Elev loss: 300m / 1,000 ft
  Time: 4 – 5 hours average
  Distance: About 5km / 3 milesWe climb up and over the Great Barranco, topping out at about 13,900 ft before dropping to our camp at the Karanga River at about 13,300 ft. This completes another day of acclimatization as we pass below the famous Breach Wall, the largest ice and rock face in Africa. The Breach Wall climbing route, known as “The Icicle”, was first climbed in the early 1970s by Reinhold Messner. Daytime temperatures can reach 80°F, while evening temperatures often drop below freezing. This is a shorter day with lots of rest in the afternoon to provide recovery time for moving up to high camp the next day.
• AUG. 5, 2018 
  DAY 5 – CLIMB
  Start: Karanga Valley 4055m / 13,300 ft
  End: Kosovo Camp 4,760m / 15,700 ft
  Elev gain: 700m / 2,300 ft
  Time: 5 hours
  Distance: About 5km / 3 milesFrom the Karanga River we climb about 5-6 hours to our high camp at Kosovo (15,700 ft). As we wind through beautiful and rarely-traveled regions, we enter a high desert plateau, littered with volcanic boulders. Looking south we view the desert plains as the pinnacles of Mowenzi Peak tower before us. At Kosovo we have a summit briefing covering all aspects of the climb, and we spend time preparing and resting. We enjoy an early bed time in preparation for the early morning, 12:00 a.m. departure.
• AUG. 6, 2018 
  DAY 6 – HIGH CAMP SUMMIT
  Start: Kosovo camp 4,760m / 15,700 ft
  Summit: Uhuru Peak 5896m / 19,344 ft
  Elev gain: 1136m / 3726 ft
  Time: 8 – 10 hours
  Distance: About 7km / 4 milSummit day! Awake at 11:00 p.m. and prepare gear for the ascent. We climb wearing headlamps until the predawn light is reflected off the African plains. Following a distinct ridge we approach the crater’s rim, then traverse northwest along the rim to the main summit, Uhuru Peak (19,340 ft). From here we view the Bismarck Towers, rock pinnacles along the rim and the hanging Rebman Glaciers. As the sun rises over Africa, we are privy to a panorama of incredible views. To the north stands the second highest mountain on the continent, Mt. Kenya (5199m / 17,056 ft), with its unique twin summits. The southern exposure reveals the sprawling plains of Tanzania and East Africa and Mowenzi Peak.
  DAY 6 – DESCENT
  Start: Uhuru Peak 5896m / 19,344 ft
  End: Millenium Camp 4000m / 13,000 ft
  Mweka Camp 3100m / 10,200 ft
  Elev loss: 1869 – 2,796m / 6,133 – 9,170 ft
  Time: 6-9 hours
  Distance: About 13km / 8 miles
  After enjoying the view from the top, we descend to Barafu, pack camp, enjoy a hot lunch and begin our traverse down the Mweka route on the southern side of the mountain to Mellenium or Mweka Camps for our final rest on Kilimanjaro.
• AUG. 7, 2018 
  DAY 7 – DESCENT
  Start: Mweka Camp 3100m / 10,200 ft
  End: Mweka Gate 1800m / 5,580 ft
  Elev loss: 1300m, 5,900ft.
  Time: 4- 5 hours
  Distance: About 7km, 4 milesThe sunrises are exquisite as we awaken below the towering mountain. We descend through the lush green landscape of the Mweka route into the thickest jungle we have yet encountered. The environment becomes primordial, with 20 foot-tall fern trees creating a prehistoric atmosphere.
  After reaching the Mweka Gate we drive to Arusha, check back into the Arusha Hotel, and take time to shower and clean up. Those going on safari will have a 30-40 minute safari briefing, and then we will all enjoy a celebratory dinner together courtesy of Alpine Ascents. O/N New Arusha.