Climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro: An Adventure with a Higher Purpose

A Friend Runs Marathon in Olivia's Memory

2011-05-06T12:30:00.000-07:00

Our friend Michael Fitzgerald recently ran his 14th Boston Marathon a few ago in April. This time around however he ran in memory of Olivia. Below is a copy of this beautiful letter from Michael who also dedicated his Boston Marathon medal to us in memory of Olivia.

Boston Marathon

April 18, 2011

Running in Memory of Olivia Wood

Daughter of Mike and Robyn

Sister of Julia

Dear Mike, Robyn and Julia,

I wanted you to know that I ran the Boston Marathon on Monday in memory of your dear daughter and sister, Olivia. I was deeply touched when I learned of your tremendous loss and very much inspired by your strength and your faith as well.

I thought of her and each of you throughout the 26 miles. I thought of how difficult it must have been for you and must still be. I had her name and a small picture on my back. When it was starting to come off in the wind, other runners noticed this and pressed it onto my jersey to help it to stay. I recall one runner, a woman, saying Olivia’s name aloud as she did this.

I have great trust in the reality of the communion of saints…of the presence and support of “those who have gone before us, marked with the sign of faith.” I prayed with and to Olivia, asking for her help to get me through. I felt strong and focused – even in the last six miles.

I ask you to please accept these words, my marathon medal and my prayers, as a sign of my intention to be among those who will always honor the memory of your beloved daughter and sister, Olivia.

Peace be with you.

Mike Fitzgerald

"But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint"

(Isaiah 40:31)

Olivia's 8th Anniversary

2011-02-25T12:15:00.000-08:00

Today is the 8th anniversary of Olivia's death. It's hard to believe that she has not been with us for 8 years. She will actually be in heaven longer than we had her here on earth come tomorrow!

We continue to think about her everyday and there will always be a special place in all our hearts for sweet Livy.

The following poem is from a wonderful friend of Robyn's and the flowers were from another special friend.

I sit and weep. Turning 16... 8 years today...

The rain pours down, washing, I hope, and replenishing the soil for the renewed growth promised in Spring. I send that energy your way. May peace, regrowth, and hope fuel you all.

Sweet Olivia

2009-06-18T18:54:00.000-07:00

Robyn found this great picture of Olivia that was taken in 2000 when she was 5 years old. Olivia and Julia wore these dresses for a photo we had taken in Maine that summer (in front of the lighthouse) that we ended up using for our Christmas card that winter.

Red Leaves by Olivia

2009-03-02T05:15:00.000-08:00

The 6th anniversary of Olivia's passing (2/25/03) has once again come and gone. We think of Olivia everyday and I recently re-read a poem that Olivia had written when she was seven that she named Red Leaves.

Red Leaves

I like the way the flowers grow
And how the blossoms sprout.
And how you know my favorite
Tree for the colors of the leaves.

by Olivia Wood
October 19, 2002
Age 7

Photos from Mt. Kilimanjaro

2008-06-09T06:01:00.001-07:00

Here is a link to Google to view my photos from Africa and on top of Mt. Kilimanjaro (Feb 2008).

Uhuru Peak, Mt. Kilimanjaro - 19,340'

2008-02-13T18:49:00.000-08:00

Our group of 10 all made it to the top of Mt. Kilimanjaro on Feb. 9, 2008 at 1 PM

Uhuru Peak - Mt. Kilimanjaro - Tanzania, Africa (Feb 9, 2008)

2008-02-13T18:45:00.000-08:00

We Reached the Summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro

2008-02-12T11:09:00.000-08:00

Hi Everyone!

I got back today from my trip to Tanzania that ended up being a wonderful experience. The good news is that I reached the summit (Uhuru Peak - 5895 meters, 19,340 ft.) of Mt. Kilimanjaro on Feb 9th at around 1 PM on what turned out to be a beautiful sunny, fifty-degree day if you can believe it. Some of the groups that made it up before us were not so lucky (i.e. <10 degrees and strong winds that enabled them to stay for only 5 min.). We were just very lucky in terms of the weather. We ended up staying at the summit about 45 min. and took plenty of pictures. I ended up getting some nice shots of me holding a t-shirt that had a picture of Olivia on it (thanks to Kim & Gene), a nice shot of the Koko logo, and a picture of good old "Flat Stanley" for FRCS. I will post some pictures so please check back.

I apologize for not updating the blog while I was gone - we had an issue with the satellite phone. Bill (from CA) was nice enough to let me use is satellite phone, that was working, a few times to call home - thanks Bill.

More to come...

2/8/08

2008-02-08T15:18:00.001-08:00

That last post was posted by Julia Wood.

2/8/08

2008-02-08T15:13:00.000-08:00

Hi Everyone,

My dad called in the morning at about 6:30am and told my mom amd I that he was at 15,000 feet and he and his team were going to try and reach the sumit of Mt. Kilimanjaro tomorrow. He is very excited. He sounded well, but could only talk for a few minutes. My dad arrives home on Tuesday. If he calls again, I will post what he says. Hopefully he reaches the top! We're all routing for him! :)

February 1, 2008 - Arrive Africa

2008-02-02T20:21:00.000-08:00

Hi Everyone~
Julia and Robyn here with a brief update...Michael's plane took off as scheduled from Logan on 1/31/08 at around 7:00pm. At 10:00 am (Holland time ) he departed for Tanzania, arriving pretty much as planned around 9:00pm. (We tracked the flights on the internet).

Africa is about 8 hours ahead of us here in MA. Michael called on Saturday at 8:00am Africa time to tell us he had arrived safely 12 midnight here). He also mentioned he was having a little problem with the SAT phone...so hopefully we'll get info from him and will try to update as quickly as possible.

Thanks again for all your friendship, love, and support.
The Wood Family

It's Time to Climb

2008-01-31T08:32:00.000-08:00

Hi Everyone

A big thank you to all our family, friends and sponsors who have made this trip possible. I am heading out in 5 minutes. Please visit this blog while I am gone - the plan is for Julia to make an occasional post about how I am doing. I have a satellite phone - from World Communication Center - the number is 011-8816-414-61397

Thank you for all the calls, emails, donations (we have raised over 6k to date) and prayers (Mass was great on Wed am Fr. Dave - thanks) - Koko Fitness - thanks for the send off on Wed - you are the best! Robyn, Julia and family - a big hug and kiss. If all goes well I should be summiting on Feb 10th

Thank you

Robyn = 10 4

NY Times Article on Mt. Kilimanjaro

2007-12-31T18:37:00.000-08:00

Tom Bissells account of his climb up Mt Kilimanjaro (this is a great interactive video up the mountain - visit http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2007/10/26/magazine/20071028_KILIMANJARO_GRAPHIC.html#step2

One Step Closer

2007-12-31T13:25:00.000-08:00

All shots for travel are now complete - last week I went to Mt. Auburn Hospital to start the process of getting all my shots for the trip. The first thing I learned while there is that trips to Africa and India require the most shots...lucky me! The first day I had shots for Typhoid, Tetanus and Hepatitis. I was also given 6 prescriptions to fill. I went back today (five days later) and had shots for Yellow Fever and a Polio booster. The good news is that I'm now set for life for most of these shots and the others are good for a 10 year period. Mt Auburn did a great job with the lecture I had from Dr. Lowd on everything from altitude sickness to staying properly hydrated - she was great - so too were all my nurses - many thanks to all of you!

Blue Hills: Skyline Trail Hike

2007-12-23T10:18:00.000-08:00

Had a great hike this morning (Sunday 8 a.m.) up to the top of the Syline Trail at the Blue Hills Reservation in Milton, MA. This is a photo of the trail about half way up.
At the top, I visited the Blue Hills Meterological Weather Station that just happens to be the oldest facility of it's kind in the U.S. - built in 1885. Talk about a cool looking place. Here is a link if your interested http://www.bluehill.org/

45 Days and Counting!

2007-12-19T12:48:00.000-08:00

Hard to believe that after two years of planning for this Kilimanjaro trip it will soon come to fruition. Training has been going well. Had a good workout at Open Doors Yoga (Hanover, MA) last night with Deb (and usually with Steph). I'm getting psyched to hike this weekend in the Blue Hills in Milton. I'm meeting an old childhood friend (my buddy "Butch" Finnegan) who was always one of the strongest individuals I've ever known. He is now on his own personal fitness quest - having exercised, up to this point, 80 straight days. It will be fun to get him "outside" of the gym for a workout. I have also been having some descent cross-training workouts at home, due to the weather, consisting of rower, hiking and treadmill workouts (with loaded backpack). Over the course of the next 30 I need to bring back the nutritional focus - still need to take a few pounds off - knowing that every pound over ideal body weight - will feel like 10 lbs. at altitude. Most importantly, trying to increase sleep levels from 6-7 hrs to a solid 8.

Using Latest Technology on Kili Trip

2007-12-17T04:25:00.000-08:00

Polar USA will sponsor me on my quest to get to the top of Mt. Kilimanjaro in Feb. 2008 by supplying me with one of their RS800 G3 Polar Heart Rate Monitor watches. This is not your ordinary watch. The watch is GPS enable, records HR, acts as an altimeter, offers fitness tests, measures speeds and distances and much more (see http://www.polarusa.com for more details). Also check out their site in March - I will be posting comments on a new blog for them.

Kilimanjaro Update

2007-11-18T15:32:00.000-08:00

I have about 75 days until the trip. Sending my Visa application out this week(updated Passport is all set). I'll be getting all my shots for the trip on the Friday after Thanksgiving at Mt. Auburn Hospital in Cambridge (this is the hospital where our girls were born).

Donations continue to come in from family and friends (A BIG THANK YOU!!) and we recieved a commitment from Koko Fitness (www.kokofitness.com). A special thank you goes out to Mary Obana and Mike Lannon.

We had a good hike on Saturday morning, with good friend Dr. Hari Khalsa, (www.khalsachiropractic.com) up the Skyline Trail in the Blue Hills.

To Family, Friends and Corporate Sponsors!

2007-10-17T11:25:00.000-07:00

Hello Everyone:

I'm fortunate enough to be able to go on a trip that quite frankly will be an adventure of a lifetime and more importantly, will help other children as a direct result. The goal is pretty simple. I'm trying to raise a dollar for every foot I climb - the catch is - the mountain that I'm trying to climb just happens to be the highest in Africa and the seventh highest in the world topping off at 19,340' (thank God it's not too technical).

The money that I raise will go towards two great causes. The first is an annual scholarship for a graduating senior at the Foxboro Regional Charter School. The second will be directed towards helping the Thomson Safari sponsored Friends of Tanzanian Schools that helps to fund schools around the Kilimanjaro area.

I already have a few corporate sponsors looking to help and I am hoping to get more. Thomson Safaris out of Watertown, MA (www.thomsonsafaris.com) will donate a portion of the cost of one of their trips - taken by you - to the scholarship fund and this could happen anytime over the course of the next year. In addition, Go Nutritional Products (www.go-energy-recovery.com) will be offering discounts on their products and 10% of what you buy from their website will go directly towards the scholarship fund. Remember to plug in KILI2008 for the promo code.

I can't do this without your assistance so I'm hoping you will help me and become part of the adventure of a lifetime that will ultimately help a lot of great kids.

All donations can be sent to:

Michael Wood
12 Pine Cone Lane
North Attleboro, MA 02760

Checks made payable to: Olivia Wood Scholarship Fund

Thank you!

Michael Wood

Kili Update

2007-10-14T19:13:00.000-07:00

The time is fast approaching for my up coming Kilimanjaro Trek (Jan. 31 - Feb 12) and workouts are going well. Workouts have consisted of hiking in the Blue Hills, treadmill hikes with a weighted backback, strength training on the Koko Smartrainer and Power Yoga class. Also looking to take a few pounds off before the trip. The word on the street is that for every "extra" pound that you carry at altitude - it feels more like its 10! Looking forward to getting all my shots for the trip in November :>0

Aerial View of Uhuru Peak

2007-09-14T13:23:00.001-07:00

The highest point on Kilimanjaro is Uhuru Peak which is 5,896 meters (19,340')

A Map of Mt Kilimanjaro

2007-09-14T12:41:00.000-07:00

Here is a Map of Kili that I found on the web that looks at some of the routes that are available up Mt. Kilimanjaro