Travel Vaccinations: A little Pain for hopefully a lot of gain

So I finally got all my shots done for Tanzania. I decided to go to the Vancouver Travel Clinic rather than my GP as the clinic is totally current and set up for this. They can give the Yellow Fever shots which apparently GPs can't. Since I already had my Hep A & B shots done (recommended) over 10 years ago and they last for life, I "only" needed 4 vaccinations - 2 in each arm. And boy oh boy, were they ever soar by mid next day. I couldn't take my shirt off without help! I'm now set with Typhoid, Meningitis, boosters for Tetanus & Measles and Yellow Fever. They also set me up with an oral vaccine for Travellers' Diarrhea which I can take at home a couple weeks before I leave - figured I don't want to take any chances - imagine on the climb?!?! Better not. In addition, I got prescriptions for Diamox (altitude medication), Malaria and Antibiotics. The Dr. there said that most people get affected with some level of altitude sickness and she personally recommends taking it for the entire climb. While some books recommend to try out the drug before the climb, she says not to worry - I shouldn't have any problems other than maybe tingling in my fingers. I have many friends who've climbed Kili within the past couple of years and the ones that took Diamox seemed to be able to handle the altitude the best. All of them summited but several that didn't take Diamox got quite ill at the summit.

Now while I'm sure it will vary from person to person, I want to recommend that you get your vaccinations done close towards the end of the week or before a slower day. In addition to being sore, I felt extremely exhausted the next day - the type of feeling that you get when you think you're coming down with a cold. The clinic warned me about that but said I'd probably feel it in about a week. We'll see if the Yellow Fever vaccine will kick in then or if this was it...

Next week I'm heading down to see my GP for an overall check up. I've also booked a dentist appointment for cleaning and check-up as I definitely don't want to run into any difficulties while on the mountain...

-CS

Successful ascent of Mt. Cheam!

As part of their training, John, Darren, and friends and family have successfully ascended the 6,925 ft Mt. Cheam! Onwards and upwards!

Power to Visualize

"Imagination gives you the picture. Vision gives you the impulse to make the picture your own."

- Robert Collier

In my experience, a  key component to achieving goals is through visualization. Specifically, 'creative visualization' or some times called 'sports visualization' is the process of creating a positive mental image or intention of what you want to happen or feel. I put this process to the test over the past two days preparing for a skydive on Oahu's Northern Shore in Hawaii. I am not a fan of heights and have never considered myself a person who would jump out of a plane. A friend suggested the idea and I was open to the opportunity. I used visualization as a tool prior to the jump. I felt the wind on my face, the arch in my back, the rush of taking in a view of the Hawaiian islands from 10,000 feet. It took a little work at first, to really create this mental image. I stretched my arms out, would open and close my eyes and practice. Then I would shake it out and land back into reality where work was waiting and so was the surf.

This morning came jump time. What I experienced was that the visualization exercises provided me with the space to feel calm, despite the nervous energy of those around me. I felt as though I had experienced the jump already, hundreds of times over in my mind. So off we went. I took in the view, noticed the orange bobble on my belt with curiosity, soaked in the black and metal straps of my harness and jumped fair weather from roughly 10,000 - 14,000 feet. I was in awe at the gratitude I felt for landing safely to the ground. Life is amazing. We each have the power to create it, just as we envision it. 

Donna Carrigan and Instructor Chad Sanders

As we prepare to summit Kilimanjaro this visualization can take shape in many ways. Creating a mental image of the climbing route, horizon from the summit, the cold on ones cheeks, a feeling of accomplishment rush through the body. This is up to each individual to determine the most authentic way.

The power of one’s thoughts can be extremely significant, so why don’t more people take advantage of this knowledge? It's hard to prove just how far our thoughts can shape our future, although many authors have encouraged us to consider its importance, including Roald Dahl a children's author who writes in his book, The Twits ,"If a person has ugly thoughts, it begins to show on the face."  Don't just take my word for it, I encourage you to do some self research and speak to a high performance athletes or business individuals that you admire and hear their experiences with visualization as a foundation for realizing success. I encourage you to read about visualization and see how this tool can best serve you on your journey!

Visualization as per Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Creative_visualization

12 steps to Visualization eHow: http://www.ehow.com/how_2021935_visualize.html

Visualization for Rock Climbing: http://www.rock-climbing-for-life.com/power-of-visualization.html

Successful Power To Be Vancouver Event!

Over $7500 dollars was raised for Power To Be and a good time was had by all at the Vancouver awareness/Power To Climb Kilimanjaro launch event held at the Blue Water Cafe in Yaletown. The success of the evening will contribute towards the expansion of Power To Be's programs in the Greater Vancouver area, reducing waitlists and helping more disadvantaged kids, adults and their families living in The Lower Mainland of British Columbia.