(4834,9,'2021-08-22 23:26:01','2021-08-22 23:26:01','<h2>Prolotherapy Treatment Facts</h2>\r\nIn this article, we will discuss the answers to some of the questions you may have about Prolotherapy treatments. Plus, we will elaborate on some Prolotherapy facts.\r\n\r\n<img class=\"size-medium wp-image-4832 alignright\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/prolojpg-500x498.png\" alt=\"Prolojpg\" width=\"500\" height=\"498\" />\r\n\r\n<strong> <a href=\"#1\">1) What does it treat</a></strong>\r\n<strong><a href=\"#2\">2) How many treatments will I need?</a></strong>\r\n<strong><a href=\"#3\">3) Will I need to continue care after treatment?</a></strong>\r\n<strong><a href=\"#4\">4) Is this the same thing as cortisone shots?</a></strong>\r\n<strong><a href=\"#5\">5) Is Prolotherapy safe?</a></strong>\r\n<strong><a href=\"#6\">6) Do the Treatments Hurt?</a></strong>\r\n<strong><a href=\"#7\">7) Will my insurance cover this and what are the fees?</a></strong>\r\n<strong><a href=\"#8\">8) Is it advisable to drive or work after Prolotherapy?</a></strong>\r\n<h3><strong><a id=\"1\" name=\"1\"></a>1) What Does Prolotherapy Treat?</strong></h3>\r\n<em><strong>Prolotherapy is one of the regenerative techniques we use at our clinic. It is a non-surgical regenerative injection technique that introduces small amounts of solution to the site of painful and degenerated ligaments, their insertions (entheses), tendons, joints, and other joint structures. It usually takes place over several treatment sessions to promote the growth of normal cells and tissues.</strong></em>\r\n\r\nThe treatment stimulates the body\'s own natural healing processes in cases of chronic musculoskeletal pain and instability. It boosts the regenerative processes in the joint that will facilitate the repair and regrowth of connective tissue, ligaments, and tendons. And it will result in increased strength, repaired cartilage, and the stabilization of other joint structures to bring about the healing of the entire joint.\r\n\r\nThe healed ligaments and tendons produced after Prolotherapy appear much the same as normal tissues, except that they are thicker, stronger, and contain fibers of varying thickness, testifying to the new and ongoing creation of tissue.\r\n\r\n<strong>Learning points</strong>\r\n<ul>\r\n 	<li>Prolotherapy is an in-office injection treatment that research and medical studies have shown to be an effective, trustworthy, reliable alternative to surgical and non-effective conservative care treatments.</li>\r\n 	<li>In our opinion, based on extensive research and clinical results, Prolotherapy can be superior to many other treatments in relieving the problems of chronic joint and spine pain and, most importantly, in getting people back to a happy and active lifestyle.</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<h3><em>What Joints Can Prolotherapy Treat?</em></h3>\r\n<table border=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\">\r\n<tbody>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"width: 125px;\">\r\n<ul>\r\n 	<li>knee</li>\r\n 	<li>ankle</li>\r\n 	<li>low back</li>\r\n 	<li>neck</li>\r\n 	<li>shoulder</li>\r\n 	<li>hip</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n</td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 125px;\" valign=\"top\">\r\n<ul>\r\n 	<li>foot</li>\r\n 	<li>wrist</li>\r\n 	<li>hand</li>\r\n 	<li>elbow</li>\r\n 	<li>sacroiliac</li>\r\n 	<li>ribs</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n</tbody>\r\n</table>\r\n<h3><em>What Type of Pain or Injuries Can Prolotherapy Treatments Help?</em></h3>\r\n<ul>\r\n 	<li>Athletic injuries, new and old</li>\r\n 	<li>Arthritis pain</li>\r\n 	<li>Sciatica and Pinched Nerves</li>\r\n 	<li>Herniated and Degenerative Discs</li>\r\n 	<li>Whiplash injuries</li>\r\n 	<li>Tension and Migraine Headaches</li>\r\n 	<li>TMJ syndrome</li>\r\n 	<li>Weak, loose, and unstable joints</li>\r\n 	<li>Fibromyalgia and Myofascial pain</li>\r\n 	<li>Muscle tightness, strain, and spasm</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<a class=\"buttonlink\" href=\"https://www.drfields.com/contact/\">  Schedule Your Appointment Today!</a>\r\n<div style=\"text-align: right;\"><a href=\"#\"><strong>Top</strong></a></div>\r\n<h3><strong><a id=\"2\" name=\"2\"></a>2)</strong> <strong>How Many Prolotherapy Treatments Will I Need?</strong></h3>\r\nThe average person requires 6 treatment sessions given at 2 to 4-week intervals. But the number of treatments varies with each patient. Difficult (post-surgical, long-standing, etc) or other complicated cases may require 8, 10, or 12 treatments. Many patients feel the relief of pain after the 3rd or 4th treatment. Occasionally some of our patients have reported some relief of pain after only two sessions.\r\n<div style=\"text-align: right;\"><a href=\"#\"><strong>Top</strong></a></div>\r\n<h3><strong><a id=\"3\" name=\"3\"></a>3) Will I Need to Continue Care after Treatment?</strong></h3>\r\nOnce treated, the problem should be fixed. Healing will continue to take place for at least one year following treatment. Of course, if there is an injury or insult to the area treated, additional treatment may be needed.\r\n<div style=\"text-align: right;\"><a href=\"#\"><strong>Top</strong></a></div>\r\n<h3><strong><a id=\"4\" name=\"4\"></a>4) Is Prolotherapy the Same Thing as Cortisone Shots</strong><strong>?</strong></h3>\r\nLong-term studies have shown that cortisone injections actually weaken tissue. On the other hand, Prolotherapy uses proliferants, which cause the ligaments and tendons to be strengthened. Cortisone is one injection. But Prolotherapy consists of multiple injections to an area so as to induce healing in the biggest area possible.\r\n<div style=\"text-align: right;\"><a href=\"#\"><strong>Top</strong></a></div>\r\n<h3><strong><a id=\"5\" name=\"5\"></a>5) Arw Prolotherapy Treatments Safe?</strong></h3>\r\nProlotherapy is an extremely safe procedure. As with any procedure, there are risks and side effects which will vary depending on the area being treated. The doctor will discuss these possibilities fully with patients during the pre-treatment consultation. The risks with Prolotherapy than surgery, and even less than taking aspirin or Motrin for a lifetime to temporarily alleviate chronic pain.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://www.carecredit.com/go/762HNB/bb3poscustacqbtnclk08132020/?dtc=Ds5X&amp;promocode=CLT/\"><img style=\"max-width: 100%; margin: 0 auto;\" src=\"https://www.carecredit.com/sites/pc/image/carecredit_button_applynow_280x100_a_v1.jpg\" width=\"275\" /></a>\r\n<h3 style=\"text-align: right;\"><a href=\"#\"><strong>Top</strong></a></h3>\r\n<h3><strong><a id=\"6\" name=\"6\"></a>6) Do the Treatments Hurt?</strong></h3>\r\nAs many of my patients have said, \"the pain from the injections was nothing compared to the pain that I was experiencing prior to Prolotherapy\". Most say after the Prolotherapy treatment, \"It wasn\'t that bad.\" There are a few people, however, who may need help in receiving Prolotherapy.\r\n\r\nFor those patients that find Prolotherapy uncomfortable, Dr. Fields can also apply a cold spray (ethyl Chloride) or a gel of Lidocaine to numb the skin prior to the treatment. If additional help is needed, a prescription can be given for Ultram, Tylenol with codeine, or Vicodin. This can be taken one hour prior to your Prolotherapy treatment. Additionally, we have calming music to listen to, stress balls, and hot packs to help ease one\'s mind during the treatment. <strong>Ninety-nine percent of our patients receive treatments without painkillers and do just fine. </strong>\r\n<h3 style=\"text-align: right;\"><a href=\"#\"><strong>Top</strong></a></h3>\r\n<h3><strong><a id=\"7\" name=\"7\"></a>7) Will My Insurance Cover Prolotherapy? What Are the Fees?</strong></h3>\r\nFor information regarding insurance and fees <a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/about/common-questions/\">Click Here</a> to visit our common questions section.\r\n<h3 style=\"text-align: right;\"><a href=\"#\"><strong>Top</strong></a></h3>\r\n<h3><strong><a id=\"8\" name=\"8\"></a>8) Is It Advisable to Drive or Work after Prolotherapy?</strong></h3>\r\nYou can drive after you receive Prolotherapy. However, you may feel a little stiff but will be able to continue with your activities of daily living.  Keep in mind that getting your neck done is different than, say, receiving Prolotherapy to your hand. Your neck will be stiff after treatment, which means it will be difficult to turn to the left and to the right. Having a driver would be a good idea.\r\n\r\nThe same goes with being capable of working.  Most of us are able to go back to work after the treatment. There are no work restrictions. However, depending on your type of work, you may want to rest afterward. Overall, it would be advisable to have a driver for your first treatment to see how you personally feel afterward and make the appropriate decision.\r\n\r\n<a class=\"buttonlink\" href=\"https://www.drfields.com/contact/\"> Schedule Your Appointment Today!</a>','Prolotherapy Treatment Facts','','inherit','closed','closed','','395-revision-v1','','','2021-08-22 23:26:01','2021-08-22 23:26:01','',395,'https://www.drfields.com/?p=4834',0,'revision','',0),(4835,9,'2021-08-22 23:29:03','2021-08-22 23:29:03','<h2>Prolotherapy Treatment Facts</h2>\r\nIn this article, we will discuss the answers to some of the questions you may have about Prolotherapy treatments. Plus, we will elaborate on some Prolotherapy facts.\r\n\r\n<img class=\"size-medium wp-image-4832 alignright\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/prolojpg-500x498.png\" alt=\"Prolojpg\" width=\"500\" height=\"498\" />\r\n\r\n<strong> <a href=\"#1\">1) What does Prolotherapy treat?</a></strong>\r\n<strong><a href=\"#2\">2) How many Prolotherapy treatments will I need?</a></strong>\r\n<strong><a href=\"#3\">3) Will I need to continue care after treatment?</a></strong>\r\n<strong><a href=\"#4\">4) Is Prolotherapy the same thing as cortisone shots?</a></strong>\r\n<strong><a href=\"#5\">5) Are Prolotherapy treatments safe?</a></strong>\r\n<strong><a href=\"#6\">6) Do the Treatments Hurt?</a></strong>\r\n<strong><a href=\"#7\">7) Will my insurance cover Prolotherapy treatments? What are the fees?</a></strong>\r\n<strong><a href=\"#8\">8) Is it advisable to drive or work after Prolotherapy?</a></strong>\r\n<h3><strong><a id=\"1\" name=\"1\"></a>1) What Does Prolotherapy Treat?</strong></h3>\r\n<em><strong>Prolotherapy is one of the regenerative techniques we use at our clinic. It is a non-surgical regenerative injection technique that introduces small amounts of solution to the site of painful and degenerated ligaments, their insertions (entheses), tendons, joints, and other joint structures. It usually takes place over several treatment sessions to promote the growth of normal cells and tissues.</strong></em>\r\n\r\nThe treatment stimulates the body\'s own natural healing processes in cases of chronic musculoskeletal pain and instability. It boosts the regenerative processes in the joint that will facilitate the repair and regrowth of connective tissue, ligaments, and tendons. And it will result in increased strength, repaired cartilage, and the stabilization of other joint structures to bring about the healing of the entire joint.\r\n\r\nThe healed ligaments and tendons produced after Prolotherapy appear much the same as normal tissues, except that they are thicker, stronger, and contain fibers of varying thickness, testifying to the new and ongoing creation of tissue.\r\n\r\n<strong>Learning points</strong>\r\n<ul>\r\n 	<li>Prolotherapy is an in-office injection treatment that research and medical studies have shown to be an effective, trustworthy, reliable alternative to surgical and non-effective conservative care treatments.</li>\r\n 	<li>In our opinion, based on extensive research and clinical results, Prolotherapy can be superior to many other treatments in relieving the problems of chronic joint and spine pain and, most importantly, in getting people back to a happy and active lifestyle.</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<h3><em>What Joints Can Prolotherapy Treat?</em></h3>\r\n<table border=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\">\r\n<tbody>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"width: 125px;\">\r\n<ul>\r\n 	<li>knee</li>\r\n 	<li>ankle</li>\r\n 	<li>low back</li>\r\n 	<li>neck</li>\r\n 	<li>shoulder</li>\r\n 	<li>hip</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n</td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 125px;\" valign=\"top\">\r\n<ul>\r\n 	<li>foot</li>\r\n 	<li>wrist</li>\r\n 	<li>hand</li>\r\n 	<li>elbow</li>\r\n 	<li>sacroiliac</li>\r\n 	<li>ribs</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n</td>\r\n</tr>\r\n</tbody>\r\n</table>\r\n<h3><em>What Type of Pain or Injuries Can Prolotherapy Treatments Help?</em></h3>\r\n<ul>\r\n 	<li>Athletic injuries, new and old</li>\r\n 	<li>Arthritis pain</li>\r\n 	<li>Sciatica and Pinched Nerves</li>\r\n 	<li>Herniated and Degenerative Discs</li>\r\n 	<li>Whiplash injuries</li>\r\n 	<li>Tension and Migraine Headaches</li>\r\n 	<li>TMJ syndrome</li>\r\n 	<li>Weak, loose, and unstable joints</li>\r\n 	<li>Fibromyalgia and Myofascial pain</li>\r\n 	<li>Muscle tightness, strain, and spasm</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<a class=\"buttonlink\" href=\"https://www.drfields.com/contact/\">  Schedule Your Appointment Today!</a>\r\n<div style=\"text-align: right;\"><a href=\"#\"><strong>Top</strong></a></div>\r\n<h3><strong><a id=\"2\" name=\"2\"></a>2)</strong> <strong>How Many Prolotherapy Treatments Will I Need?</strong></h3>\r\nThe average person requires 6 treatment sessions given at 2 to 4-week intervals. But the number of treatments varies with each patient. Difficult (post-surgical, long-standing, etc) or other complicated cases may require 8, 10, or 12 treatments. Many patients feel the relief of pain after the 3rd or 4th treatment. Occasionally some of our patients have reported some relief of pain after only two sessions.\r\n<div style=\"text-align: right;\"><a href=\"#\"><strong>Top</strong></a></div>\r\n<h3><strong><a id=\"3\" name=\"3\"></a>3) Will I Need to Continue Care after Treatment?</strong></h3>\r\nOnce treated, the problem should be fixed. Healing will continue to take place for at least one year following treatment. Of course, if there is an injury or insult to the area treated, additional treatment may be needed.\r\n<div style=\"text-align: right;\"><a href=\"#\"><strong>Top</strong></a></div>\r\n<h3><strong><a id=\"4\" name=\"4\"></a>4) Is Prolotherapy the Same Thing as Cortisone Shots</strong><strong>?</strong></h3>\r\nLong-term studies have shown that cortisone injections actually weaken tissue. On the other hand, Prolotherapy uses proliferants, which cause the ligaments and tendons to be strengthened. Cortisone is one injection. But Prolotherapy consists of multiple injections to an area so as to induce healing in the biggest area possible.\r\n<div style=\"text-align: right;\"><a href=\"#\"><strong>Top</strong></a></div>\r\n<h3><strong><a id=\"5\" name=\"5\"></a>5) Are Prolotherapy Treatments Safe?</strong></h3>\r\nProlotherapy is an extremely safe procedure. As with any procedure, there are risks and side effects which will vary depending on the area being treated. The doctor will discuss these possibilities fully with patients during the pre-treatment consultation. The risks with Prolotherapy than surgery, and even less than taking aspirin or Motrin for a lifetime to temporarily alleviate chronic pain.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://www.carecredit.com/go/762HNB/bb3poscustacqbtnclk08132020/?dtc=Ds5X&amp;promocode=CLT/\"><img style=\"max-width: 100%; margin: 0 auto;\" src=\"https://www.carecredit.com/sites/pc/image/carecredit_button_applynow_280x100_a_v1.jpg\" width=\"275\" /></a>\r\n<h3 style=\"text-align: right;\"><a href=\"#\"><strong>Top</strong></a></h3>\r\n<h3><strong><a id=\"6\" name=\"6\"></a>6) Do the Treatments Hurt?</strong></h3>\r\nAs many of my patients have said, \"the pain from the injections was nothing compared to the pain that I was experiencing prior to Prolotherapy\". Most say after the Prolotherapy treatment, \"It wasn\'t that bad.\" There are a few people, however, who may need help in receiving Prolotherapy.\r\n\r\nFor those patients that find Prolotherapy uncomfortable, Dr. Fields can also apply a cold spray (ethyl Chloride) or a gel of Lidocaine to numb the skin prior to the treatment. If additional help is needed, a prescription can be given for Ultram, Tylenol with codeine, or Vicodin. This can be taken one hour prior to your Prolotherapy treatment. Additionally, we have calming music to listen to, stress balls, and hot packs to help ease one\'s mind during the treatment. <strong>Ninety-nine percent of our patients receive treatments without painkillers and do just fine. </strong>\r\n<h3 style=\"text-align: right;\"><a href=\"#\"><strong>Top</strong></a></h3>\r\n<h3><strong><a id=\"7\" name=\"7\"></a>7) Will My Insurance Cover Prolotherapy? What Are the Fees?</strong></h3>\r\nFor information regarding insurance and fees <a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/about/common-questions/\">Click Here</a> to visit our common questions section.\r\n<h3 style=\"text-align: right;\"><a href=\"#\"><strong>Top</strong></a></h3>\r\n<h3><strong><a id=\"8\" name=\"8\"></a>8) Is It Advisable to Drive or Work after Prolotherapy?</strong></h3>\r\nYou can drive after you receive Prolotherapy. However, you may feel a little stiff but will be able to continue with your activities of daily living.  Keep in mind that getting your neck done is different than, say, receiving Prolotherapy to your hand. Your neck will be stiff after treatment, which means it will be difficult to turn to the left and to the right. Having a driver would be a good idea.\r\n\r\nThe same goes with being capable of working.  Most of us are able to go back to work after the treatment. There are no work restrictions. However, depending on your type of work, you may want to rest afterward. Overall, it would be advisable to have a driver for your first treatment to see how you personally feel afterward and make the appropriate decision.\r\n\r\n<a class=\"buttonlink\" href=\"https://www.drfields.com/contact/\"> Schedule Your Appointment Today!</a>','Prolotherapy Treatment Facts','','inherit','closed','closed','','395-revision-v1','','','2021-08-22 23:29:03','2021-08-22 23:29:03','',395,'https://www.drfields.com/?p=4835',0,'revision','',0),(4836,9,'2021-08-22 23:55:33','2021-08-22 23:55:33','[caption id=\"attachment_4078\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"400\"]<img class=\"size-medium wp-image-4078\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Amniotic-400x500.jpg\" alt=\"Amniotic Stem Cells\" width=\"400\" height=\"500\" /> <em>     There are no Stem Cells in Amniotic \"Stem Cell\" Therapy</em>[/caption]\r\n\r\nSeminars about amniotic “stem cell” therapy are popping up everywhere. But it is important to know what advertisers are really talking about. At OrthoRegen<sup>®</sup>, we do not use amniotic “stem cell” therapy in our stem cell treatments.\r\n\r\nWe want you to be educated about amniotic therapy. Especially since there is a lot of misinformation surrounding amniotic “stem cell” therapy and umbilical cord blood “stem cell” therapy. <strong>We want to inform you on what these treatments are and also what they are not.</strong>\r\n<h4>Why Do We Put the Words \"Stem Cells\" in Quotations?</h4>\r\nThere is a reason we keep putting “stem cells” in quotations when we talking about amniotic “stem cells.” <em>That’s because there are <strong>NO</strong> actual stem cells in amniotic “stem cell” therapy.</em> That’s right! Both amniotic “stem cell” therapy and umbilical cord blood “stem cell” therapy have NO stem cells in the product.\r\n\r\nIn a very recent study of five commercial umbilical cord allograft products claiming to contain viable, undescribed \"stem cells,\" a group of researchers concluded, \"stem cells were not found within any of the commercial UC allograft products analyzed, and clinicians should remain wary of marketing claims stating otherwise.\"1 And patients seeking these products should be wary as well!\r\n\r\nThink about this scenario for a moment. There isn’t someone waiting for the mother to give birth, and someone who is collecting the afterbirth, and someone else delivering it to your doctor’s office, to then be injected into your degenerated or injured hip or knee by the clinician you have chosen, right?! No, that isn’t the way it happens.\r\n<h4>Amniotic Product Processing</h4>\r\nSure, the mother does donate the placental tissue. But the afterbirth materials are purchased by companies, and the companies process the materials in an effort to make sure they are disease-free. They are also freeze-dried. And all of these preservation processes kill all of the live cells. That leaves <strong>NO live stem cells in the product</strong>.\r\n\r\nAmniotic stem cells are being advertised all over the place. And people are fascinated with this very popular trend of using amniotic fluid for joint repair. But it needs to be clarified that amniotic “stem cell” therapy has NO actual stem cells, but rather growth factors and natural hyaluronic acid remnants found in the extracellular matrix of the amniotic tissue. If companies advertise in this way about the actual product you will receive, it is simply not true. Keep in mind that in their pre-donated state, the amniotic fluid does have an abundance of stem cells, but they do not survive the processing.\r\n<h4><strong>They Say My Stem Cells Are Too Old, Weak, or Too Few</strong></h4>\r\nSome seminars try to convince folks that their own stem cells are no good and that the donated cells are better for treating joint pain. That’s not true! This is another important point to understand… <strong><em>your own bone marrow, even if you are older, contains sufficient stem cells.</em></strong> Yours stem cells are just fine. And they are live stem cells.\r\n<h4><strong><em>How Can the Processed, “Dead” Cells They Promote Be Better?</em></strong></h4>\r\nThe push to say that your own cells are too weak, or too few and that their amniotic product is better does not make any sense when their product doesn’t contain any! Remember, cryopreserved, dehydrated amniotic products do not contain stem cells. Yes, amniotic fluid does contain growth factors. And these growth factors very well may work at helping joint pain. But there is a better way!\r\n<h4>Use Your Own Live Stem Cells</h4>\r\nGuess what?  You have growth factors in your own blood! Your own blood in the form of Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) contains live growth factors too. And when we use PRP, if recommended in your particular case, we won’t be preserving it or freeze-drying it. It will be used right away. Again, the purchased, micronized amniotic product does contain growth factor material, but it is processed. Why not just use your own (autologous) live stem cells and PRP growth factors for your joint pain and injuries?\r\n\r\nUsing your own stem cells and blood is also safer as far as the transfer of disease or contaminants. True, the amniotic product is processed and freeze-dried, but problems of contamination have occurred. The CDC has reported instances of contamination of both amniotic products and cord blood with fecal matter and bacteria.2\r\n\r\nTo recap: the original amniotic fluid from the fetus does contain an abundance of stem cells in its pre-donated state. However, the procedure used in amniotic material processing alters the original relevant characteristics of the product thereby decreasing its ability and usefulness at regeneration and repair of injured or degenerated tissue. Once again, the amniotic “stem cell” therapy does <strong>not</strong> contain actual stem cells, but rather growth factors that may possibly activate your own stem cells.\r\n<h4><strong>They Say I Just Need One Injection</strong></h4>\r\nOne injection simply is not enough to heal your whole joint. Even if just one injection is advertised, it is not sufficient for complete healing. The most likely scenario is that your joint injury or pain progressed over time, and involves more than one joint structure. In order to provide an adequate repair of the joint and the pain relief you seek, a more comprehensive treatment would be necessary.\r\n\r\nIn most joint injuries, when one ligament is injured, additional ligaments and other soft tissue are generally injured as well. Unhealed joint injuries often lead to arthritis. And in this case, the entire joint is involved. One injection simply cannot treat all of those joint structures. A comprehensive treatment is necessary to strengthen, repair, and stabilize all of the involved structures. This also helps to prevent the continued breakdown of cartilage common in arthritis.\r\n\r\n<strong>A single injection is simply not comprehensive</strong> enough to reverse the damage affecting the entire joint. At OrthoRegen<sup>®</sup>, we address the entire joint with a multi-injection technique called <strong>Comprehensive Regenerative Orthopedics, in order to effectively treat the joint and return you to the pain-free life you desire</strong>.\r\n<h4><strong>Why Don’t We Use Amniotic “Stem Cell” Therapy?</strong></h4>\r\nAt OrthoRegen<sup>®</sup>, we use the Gold Standard in Stem Cell Therapy, which combines four different regenerative treatments that are extremely effective. <strong>And they utilize your own stem cells and growth factors.</strong>\r\n\r\nWe use adipose (fat) stem cells, which contain both live growth factors and live stem cells. Plus, we use bone marrow stem cells, which contain live growth factors and live stem cells. We also use Platelet Rich Plasma, which contains live growth factors. And then we use Dextrose Prolotherapy to strengthen any injured ligaments or tendons so the whole joint is treated and repaired. In comparison to amniotic “stem cell” therapy that only has processed growth factor material and no stem cells, it makes sense to choose the Gold Standard in Stem Cell Therapy that has been shown to be very effective.\r\n\r\nAnother great thing about Regenerative Orthopedics and the Gold Standard in Stem Cell Therapy is that it is non-surgical and requires basically no downtime. No extended time off of work is needed, and you can remain active.\r\n<h4>Research Shows the Effectiveness of Regenerative Orthopedics</h4>\r\nVarious trials and studies have shown the effectiveness of Dextrose Prolo­therapy alone in treating arthritis, as well as ligament and tendon injuries.3,4,5 When indicated, in advanced cases of degeneration, we recommend the Gold Standard of Stem Cell Therapy. In many cases of degeneration and injury, Prolotherapy alone is sufficient to bring the pain relief and repair needed, and the Gold Standard in Stem Cell Therapy is not required.\r\n\r\nIn cases that are more advanced, many other clinics use only one or two of these procedures. But we have discovered that this Gold Standard combination acts as an amazing regenerative solution to reverse the damage of arthritis on the joint. We comprehensively treat the entire joint with multiple injections of the Platelet Rich Plasma portion of the blood, adipose stem cells, and bone marrow stem cells. These regenerative treatments, along with Dextrose Prolotherapy in and around the involved joint offer benefits in terms of pain relief, regenerative properties, and cartilage repair for people with arthritis and all types of joint pain and injuries.\r\n\r\nIn our experience, we have discovered that this combination approach of live stem cells, growth factors, and regenerative therapies offers the best therapeutic regenerative approach for more advanced degenerative cases and particular injuries. The treatment addresses the whole joint and effectively heals the joint injuries, resolves pain, and restores function to return you quickly to the active life you desire.\r\n<h4>References</h4>\r\n1Berger DR, Centeno CJ, Kisiday JD, McIlwraith CW, Steinmetz NJ. Colony Forming Potential and Protein Composition of Commercial Umbilical Cord Allograft Products in Comparison With Autologous Orthobiologics. Am J Sports Med. 2021 Aug 16:3635465211031275. doi: 10.1177/03635465211031275. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 34398643.\r\n\r\n<em>2Notes from the Field:</em> Infections after Receipt of Bacterially Contaminated Umbilical Cord Blood-Derived Stem Cell Products for Other than Hematopoietic or Immunologic Reconstitution — United States, 2018. <em>Weekly</em> / December 21, 2018 /67(50);1397–1399.\r\n\r\n3Reeves KD, Hassanein K. Randomized prospective double-blind placebo-controlled study of dextrose prolotherapy\r\n\r\nor knee osteoarthritis with or without ACL laxity.  <em>Alt Ther Health Med</em>. 2000; 6(2):68–80.\r\n\r\n4Dagenais S, Yelland MJ, Del Mar C, Schoene ML. Prolotherapy injections for chronic low-back pain. <em>Cochrane Database Syst Rev</em>. Apr 18, 2007; (2): CD004059.\r\n\r\n5Rabago D, Zgierska A, Fortney L, et al. Hypertonic dextrose injections (prolotherapy) for knee osteoarthritis: results of a single-arm uncontrolled study with 1-year follow-up. <em>J Altern Complement Med</em>. 2012;18(4): 408–14.\r\n\r\n<a class=\"buttonlink\" href=\"/articles/regenerative-orthopedics/\"> Click here for more articles</a>','Amniotic “Stem Cell” Therapy','','inherit','closed','closed','','2611-revision-v1','','','2021-08-22 23:55:33','2021-08-22 23:55:33','',2611,'https://www.drfields.com/?p=4836',0,'revision','',0),(4837,9,'2021-08-26 22:11:37','2021-08-26 22:11:37','Rotator Cuff','Rotator Cuff','Prolotherapy is effective for chronic rotator cuff pain','inherit','open','closed','','rotator-cuff','','','2021-08-26 22:12:38','2021-08-26 22:12:38','',1457,'https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Rotator-Cuff.jpeg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(4838,9,'2021-08-26 22:13:52','2021-08-26 22:13:52','&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4837\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"500\"]<img class=\"wp-image-4837 size-medium\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Rotator-Cuff-500x375.jpeg\" alt=\"Rotator Cuff\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" /> <strong>      Prolotherapy is effective for chronic rotator cuff pain</strong>[/caption]\r\n<h2><strong>Rotator Cuff Injuries: Tears, Impingement, and Tendonitis </strong></h2>\r\nRotator cuff injuries are prevalent. Most of us have heard about rotator cuff tears and even impingement syndromes. We have probably seen and heard about rotator cuff injuries in the news. We often hear about professional athletes taken out of the game and possibly facing surgery. But rotator cuff injuries affect the general public too!\r\n\r\nRotator cuff injuries are so common that they affect about a quarter of the population over 50 years of age.1 Many people are opting for surgery to fix their rotator cuff injury. The numbers of surgical repairs are going up and up! In some locations, surgeries are doubling in number, and particular surgeries, like arthroscopic rotator cuff repairs, have increased by 353%. 2,3 But are all of these surgeries really necessary? Especially considering the economic costs, the time needed for rehabilitation, and other personal risks!\r\n<h3>Non-Surgical Options for Rotator Cuff Injuries</h3>\r\nIn so many rotator cuff injury cases, Regenerative Orthopedic techniques, like Stem Cell Therapy, PRP, and Prolotherapy, can be used to repair the shoulder. Plus, these treatments effectively repair the injury without the need for surgery. Regenerative Orthopedics has many advantages over surgery. First and foremost, it gets to the root cause of the problem. What do we mean by that? Rotator cuff injuries affect the tendon and ligaments of the shoulder. And treatments like Prolotherapy are especially effective at healing soft tissue like tendons and ligaments.\r\n\r\nBesides, Regenerative Orthopedic options require much less rehabilitation time. They also help you avoid the risks associated with rotator cuff surgery, such as frozen shoulder, deep infection, and dislocation. And many patients who develop these complications also end up needing a second surgical procedure.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4483\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"400\"]<img class=\"size-medium wp-image-4483\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/rotator-cuff-problem-400x500.png\" alt=\"Rotator Cuff Injuries\" width=\"400\" height=\"500\" /> <em><strong>       Rotator Cuff Injuries Affect Your Sleep Too!</strong></em>[/caption]\r\n<h3>Who Is At Risk for Rotator Cuff Injuries?</h3>\r\nAs mentioned previously, many people are at risk for rotator cuff injuries. Among athletes, rotator cuff injuries are more common with pitchers, tennis players, swimmers, and any sport that involves a throwing motion or repeated over the head movements. Non-athletes who repeatedly use overhead movements are also at increased risk for rotator cuff injuries. For example, rotator cuff tendinitis occurs when the rotator cuff\'s small muscles become strained, causing weakness of these structures and subsequent tendonitis. Left untreated, a chronic condition of tendinosis can develop.\r\n<h4><em>Impingement Syndrome</em></h4>\r\nAnother shoulder condition involving the rotator cuff is impingement syndrome. This condition occurs when the <a href=\"/Articles/Prolo-News/Stem-Cell-Therapy-For-Rotator-Cuff-Injuries\">rotator cuff</a> tendon becomes pinched between the head of the humerus and the acromion process during the arm\'s motion raised above the head. This happens because the space gets narrowed, as occurs when the rotator cuff muscles weaken, and the humeral head rides high in the socket.\r\n\r\nImpingement can also ensue when bone spurs and calcium deposits narrow the space. Impingement also occurs when the contents of the subacromial space increase in size. This is most often due to a swollen rotator cuff tendon or bursa, which is painfully squeezed between the humeral head and the acromion process.\r\n<h3>Common Treatments for Rotator Cuff Injuries</h3>\r\nTreatment for rotator cuff injuries usually includes rest, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), physical therapy, and cortisone injections. Cortisone has a substantial anti-inflammatory property, reducing the tendon and bursa\'s swelling and relieving the symptoms. Unfortunately, cortisone has also been found to lead to degeneration of the soft tissue eventually. It\'s so much better to regenerate the joint. And you can get regenerative results with Regenerative Orthopedics.\r\n\r\nMany common treatments only provide temporary help. That\'s because the underlying cause is not addressed, and the problem usually returns. Degenerative fraying and tearing of the tendon may occur when the tendon is allowed to be in a constant state of irritation over time. Non-Surgical Regenerative Orthopedics is a great way to address the underlying tendon and ligament injuries and repair all of the involved soft tissue. The result is a re-strengthening of the rotator cuff, an improved shoulder joint, and an excellent chance for a full recovery and performance.\r\n<h3><a class=\"buttonlink\" href=\"/Contact\">To Learn More, Contact Us Today! It\'s free</a></h3>\r\n<h3>References:</h3>\r\n1Blitzer Charles, M. \"Arthroscopy: The Journal of Arthroscopic &amp; Related Surgery.\" <i>The Journal of Arthroscopic and Related Surgery</i> 9.4 (1993): 414-416.\r\n\r\n2Iyengar, Jaicharan J., et al. \"Current trends in rotator cuff repair: surgical technique, setting, and cost.\" <i>Arthroscopy: The Journal of Arthroscopic &amp; Related Surgery</i> 30.3 (2014): 284-288.\r\n\r\n3Traven, Sophia A., et al. \"The 5-factor modified frailty index predicts complications, hospital admission, and mortality following arthroscopic rotator cuff repair.\" <i>Arthroscopy: The Journal of Arthroscopic &amp; Related Surgery</i> 36.2 (2020): 383-388.\r\n\r\nWant more information about treating Rotator Cuff injuries? Click <a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/articles/regenerative-orthopedics/stop-shoulder-pain-from-rotator-cuff-and-other-shoulder-injuries/\">here</a> to read our article called, <a href=\"http://Stop Shoulder Pain from Rotator Cuff and Other Shoulder Injuries\">\"Stop Shoulder Pain from Rotator Cuff and Other Shoulder Injuries.\"</a>\r\n<h1></h1>\r\n&nbsp;','Rotator Cuff Injuries: Tears, Impingement, and Tendonitis','','inherit','closed','closed','','1457-revision-v1','','','2021-08-26 22:13:52','2021-08-26 22:13:52','',1457,'https://www.drfields.com/?p=4838',0,'revision','',0),(4839,9,'2021-08-26 22:15:24','2021-08-26 22:15:24','&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4837\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"500\"]<img class=\"wp-image-4837 size-medium\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Rotator-Cuff-500x375.jpeg\" alt=\"Rotator Cuff\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" /> <strong>      Prolotherapy is effective for chronic rotator cuff pain</strong>[/caption]\r\n<h1><strong>Rotator Cuff Injuries: Tears, Impingement, and Tendonitis </strong></h1>\r\nRotator cuff injuries are prevalent. Most of us have heard about rotator cuff tears and even impingement syndromes. We have probably seen and heard about them in the news. We often hear about professional athletes taken out of the game and possibly facing surgery. But rotator cuff injuries affect the general public too!\r\n\r\nRotator cuff injuries are so common that they affect about a quarter of the population over 50 years of age.1 Many people are opting for surgery to fix their rotator cuff injury. The numbers of surgical repairs are going up and up! In some locations, surgeries are doubling in number, and particular surgeries, like arthroscopic rotator cuff repairs, have increased by 353%. 2,3 But are all of these surgeries really necessary? Especially considering the economic costs, the time needed for rehabilitation, and other personal risks!\r\n<h3>Non-Surgical Options for Rotator Cuff Injuries</h3>\r\nIn so many rotator cuff injury cases, Regenerative Orthopedic techniques, like Stem Cell Therapy, PRP, and Prolotherapy, can be used to repair the shoulder. Plus, these treatments effectively repair the injury without the need for surgery. Regenerative Orthopedics has many advantages over surgery. First and foremost, it gets to the root cause of the problem. What do we mean by that? Rotator cuff injuries affect the tendon and ligaments of the shoulder. And treatments like Prolotherapy are especially effective at healing soft tissue like tendons and ligaments.\r\n\r\nBesides, Regenerative Orthopedic options require much less rehabilitation time. They also help you avoid the risks associated with rotator cuff surgery, such as frozen shoulder, deep infection, and dislocation. And many patients who develop these complications also end up needing a second surgical procedure.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4483\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"400\"]<img class=\"size-medium wp-image-4483\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/rotator-cuff-problem-400x500.png\" alt=\"Rotator Cuff Injuries\" width=\"400\" height=\"500\" /> <em><strong>       Rotator Cuff Injuries Affect Your Sleep Too!</strong></em>[/caption]\r\n<h3>Who Is At Risk for Rotator Cuff Injuries?</h3>\r\nAs mentioned previously, many people are at risk for rotator cuff injuries. Among athletes, rotator cuff injuries are more common with pitchers, tennis players, swimmers, and any sport that involves a throwing motion or repeated over the head movements. Non-athletes who repeatedly use overhead movements are also at increased risk for rotator cuff injuries. For example, rotator cuff tendinitis occurs when the rotator cuff\'s small muscles become strained, causing weakness of these structures and subsequent tendonitis. Left untreated, a chronic condition of tendinosis can develop.\r\n<h4><em>Impingement Syndrome</em></h4>\r\nAnother shoulder condition involving the rotator cuff is impingement syndrome. This condition occurs when the <a href=\"/Articles/Prolo-News/Stem-Cell-Therapy-For-Rotator-Cuff-Injuries\">rotator cuff</a> tendon becomes pinched between the head of the humerus and the acromion process during the arm\'s motion raised above the head. This happens because the space gets narrowed, as occurs when the rotator cuff muscles weaken, and the humeral head rides high in the socket.\r\n\r\nImpingement can also ensue when bone spurs and calcium deposits narrow the space. Impingement also occurs when the contents of the subacromial space increase in size. This is most often due to a swollen rotator cuff tendon or bursa, which is painfully squeezed between the humeral head and the acromion process.\r\n<h3>Common Treatments for Rotator Cuff Injuries</h3>\r\nTreatment for rotator cuff injuries usually includes rest, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), physical therapy, and cortisone injections. Cortisone has a substantial anti-inflammatory property, reducing the tendon and bursa\'s swelling and relieving the symptoms. Unfortunately, cortisone has also been found to lead to degeneration of the soft tissue eventually. It\'s so much better to regenerate the joint. And you can get regenerative results with Regenerative Orthopedics.\r\n\r\nMany common treatments only provide temporary help. That\'s because the underlying cause is not addressed, and the problem usually returns. Degenerative fraying and tearing of the tendon may occur when the tendon is allowed to be in a constant state of irritation over time. Non-Surgical Regenerative Orthopedics is a great way to address the underlying tendon and ligament injuries and repair all of the involved soft tissue. The result is a re-strengthening of the rotator cuff, an improved shoulder joint, and an excellent chance for a full recovery and performance.\r\n<h3><a class=\"buttonlink\" href=\"/Contact\">To Learn More, Contact Us Today! It\'s free</a></h3>\r\n<h3>References:</h3>\r\n1Blitzer Charles, M. \"Arthroscopy: The Journal of Arthroscopic &amp; Related Surgery.\" <i>The Journal of Arthroscopic and Related Surgery</i> 9.4 (1993): 414-416.\r\n\r\n2Iyengar, Jaicharan J., et al. \"Current trends in rotator cuff repair: surgical technique, setting, and cost.\" <i>Arthroscopy: The Journal of Arthroscopic &amp; Related Surgery</i> 30.3 (2014): 284-288.\r\n\r\n3Traven, Sophia A., et al. \"The 5-factor modified frailty index predicts complications, hospital admission, and mortality following arthroscopic rotator cuff repair.\" <i>Arthroscopy: The Journal of Arthroscopic &amp; Related Surgery</i> 36.2 (2020): 383-388.\r\n\r\nWant more information about treating Rotator Cuff injuries? Click <a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/articles/regenerative-orthopedics/stop-shoulder-pain-from-rotator-cuff-and-other-shoulder-injuries/\">here</a> to read our article called, <a href=\"http://Stop Shoulder Pain from Rotator Cuff and Other Shoulder Injuries\">\"Stop Shoulder Pain from Rotator Cuff and Other Shoulder Injuries.\"</a>\r\n<h1></h1>\r\n&nbsp;','Rotator Cuff Injuries: Tears, Impingement, and Tendonitis','','inherit','closed','closed','','1457-revision-v1','','','2021-08-26 22:15:24','2021-08-26 22:15:24','',1457,'https://www.drfields.com/?p=4839',0,'revision','',0),(4840,9,'2021-08-26 22:17:00','2021-08-26 22:17:00','&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4837\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"500\"]<img class=\"wp-image-4837 size-medium\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Rotator-Cuff-500x375.jpeg\" alt=\"Rotator Cuff\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" /> <strong>      Prolotherapy is effective for chronic rotator cuff pain</strong>[/caption]\r\n<h1><strong>Rotator Cuff Injuries: Tears, Impingement, and Tendonitis </strong></h1>\r\nRotator cuff injuries are prevalent. Most of us have heard about rotator cuff tears and even impingement syndromes. We have probably seen and heard about them in the news. We often hear about professional athletes taken out of the game and possibly facing surgery. But these injuries affect the general public too!\r\n\r\nRotator cuff injuries are so common that they affect about a quarter of the population over 50 years of age.1 Many people are opting for surgery to fix their rotator cuff injury. The numbers of surgical repairs are going up and up! In some locations, surgeries are doubling in number, and particular surgeries, like arthroscopic rotator cuff repairs, have increased by 353%. 2,3 But are all of these surgeries really necessary? Especially considering the economic costs, the time needed for rehabilitation, and other personal risks!\r\n<h3>Non-Surgical Options for Rotator Cuff Injuries</h3>\r\nIn so many rotator cuff injury cases, Regenerative Orthopedic techniques, like Stem Cell Therapy, PRP, and Prolotherapy, can be used to repair the shoulder. Plus, these treatments effectively repair the injury without the need for surgery. Regenerative Orthopedics has many advantages over surgery. First and foremost, it gets to the root cause of the problem. What do we mean by that? Rotator cuff injuries affect the tendon and ligaments of the shoulder. And treatments like Prolotherapy are especially effective at healing soft tissue like tendons and ligaments.\r\n\r\nBesides, Regenerative Orthopedic options require much less rehabilitation time. They also help you avoid the risks associated with rotator cuff surgery, such as frozen shoulder, deep infection, and dislocation. And many patients who develop these complications also end up needing a second surgical procedure.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4483\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"400\"]<img class=\"size-medium wp-image-4483\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/rotator-cuff-problem-400x500.png\" alt=\"Rotator Cuff Injuries\" width=\"400\" height=\"500\" /> <em><strong>       Rotator Cuff Injuries Affect Your Sleep Too!</strong></em>[/caption]\r\n<h3>Who Is At Risk for Rotator Cuff Injuries?</h3>\r\nAs mentioned previously, many people are at risk for rotator cuff injuries. Among athletes, rotator cuff injuries are more common with pitchers, tennis players, swimmers, and any sport that involves a throwing motion or repeated over the head movements. Non-athletes who repeatedly use overhead movements are also at increased risk for rotator cuff injuries. For example, rotator cuff tendinitis occurs when the rotator cuff\'s small muscles become strained, causing weakness of these structures and subsequent tendonitis. Left untreated, a chronic condition of tendinosis can develop.\r\n<h4><em>Impingement Syndrome</em></h4>\r\nAnother shoulder condition involving the rotator cuff is impingement syndrome. This condition occurs when the <a href=\"/Articles/Prolo-News/Stem-Cell-Therapy-For-Rotator-Cuff-Injuries\">rotator cuff</a> tendon becomes pinched between the head of the humerus and the acromion process during the arm\'s motion raised above the head. This happens because the space gets narrowed, as occurs when the rotator cuff muscles weaken, and the humeral head rides high in the socket.\r\n\r\nImpingement can also ensue when bone spurs and calcium deposits narrow the space. Impingement also occurs when the contents of the subacromial space increase in size. This is most often due to a swollen rotator cuff tendon or bursa, which is painfully squeezed between the humeral head and the acromion process.\r\n<h3>Common Treatments for Rotator Cuff Injuries</h3>\r\nTreatment for rotator cuff injuries usually includes rest, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), physical therapy, and cortisone injections. Cortisone has a substantial anti-inflammatory property, reducing the tendon and bursa\'s swelling and relieving the symptoms. Unfortunately, cortisone has also been found to lead to degeneration of the soft tissue eventually. It\'s so much better to regenerate the joint. And you can get regenerative results with Regenerative Orthopedics.\r\n\r\nMany common treatments only provide temporary help. That\'s because the underlying cause is not addressed, and the problem usually returns. Degenerative fraying and tearing of the tendon may occur when the tendon is allowed to be in a constant state of irritation over time. Non-Surgical Regenerative Orthopedics is a great way to address the underlying tendon and ligament injuries and repair all of the involved soft tissue. The result is a re-strengthening of the rotator cuff, an improved shoulder joint, and an excellent chance for a full recovery and performance.\r\n<h3><a class=\"buttonlink\" href=\"/Contact\">To Learn More, Contact Us Today! It\'s free</a></h3>\r\n<h3>References:</h3>\r\n1Blitzer Charles, M. \"Arthroscopy: The Journal of Arthroscopic &amp; Related Surgery.\" <i>The Journal of Arthroscopic and Related Surgery</i> 9.4 (1993): 414-416.\r\n\r\n2Iyengar, Jaicharan J., et al. \"Current trends in rotator cuff repair: surgical technique, setting, and cost.\" <i>Arthroscopy: The Journal of Arthroscopic &amp; Related Surgery</i> 30.3 (2014): 284-288.\r\n\r\n3Traven, Sophia A., et al. \"The 5-factor modified frailty index predicts complications, hospital admission, and mortality following arthroscopic rotator cuff repair.\" <i>Arthroscopy: The Journal of Arthroscopic &amp; Related Surgery</i> 36.2 (2020): 383-388.\r\n\r\nWant more information about treating Rotator Cuff injuries? Click <a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/articles/regenerative-orthopedics/stop-shoulder-pain-from-rotator-cuff-and-other-shoulder-injuries/\">here</a> to read our article called, <a href=\"http://Stop Shoulder Pain from Rotator Cuff and Other Shoulder Injuries\">\"Stop Shoulder Pain from Rotator Cuff and Other Shoulder Injuries.\"</a>\r\n<h1></h1>\r\n&nbsp;','Rotator Cuff Injuries: Tears, Impingement, and Tendonitis','','inherit','closed','closed','','1457-revision-v1','','','2021-08-26 22:17:00','2021-08-26 22:17:00','',1457,'https://www.drfields.com/?p=4840',0,'revision','',0),(4841,9,'2021-08-26 22:17:40','2021-08-26 22:17:40','&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4837\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"500\"]<img class=\"wp-image-4837 size-medium\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Rotator-Cuff-500x375.jpeg\" alt=\"Rotator Cuff\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" /> <strong>      Prolotherapy is effective for chronic rotator cuff pain</strong>[/caption]\r\n<h1><strong>Rotator Cuff Injuries: Tears, Impingement, and Tendonitis </strong></h1>\r\nRotator cuff injuries are prevalent. Most of us have heard about rotator cuff tears and even impingement syndromes. We have probably seen and heard about them in the news. We often hear about professional athletes taken out of the game and possibly facing surgery. But these injuries affect the general public too!\r\n\r\nRotator cuff injuries are so common that they affect about a quarter of the population over 50 years of age.1 Many people are opting for surgery to fix their injury. The numbers of surgical repairs are going up and up! In some locations, surgeries are doubling in number, and particular surgeries, like arthroscopic rotator cuff repairs, have increased by 353%. 2,3 But are all of these surgeries really necessary? Especially considering the economic costs, the time needed for rehabilitation, and other personal risks!\r\n<h3>Non-Surgical Options for Rotator Cuff Injuries</h3>\r\nIn so many rotator cuff injury cases, Regenerative Orthopedic techniques, like Stem Cell Therapy, PRP, and Prolotherapy, can be used to repair the shoulder. Plus, these treatments effectively repair the injury without the need for surgery. Regenerative Orthopedics has many advantages over surgery. First and foremost, it gets to the root cause of the problem. What do we mean by that? Rotator cuff injuries affect the tendon and ligaments of the shoulder. And treatments like Prolotherapy are especially effective at healing soft tissue like tendons and ligaments.\r\n\r\nBesides, Regenerative Orthopedic options require much less rehabilitation time. They also help you avoid the risks associated with rotator cuff surgery, such as frozen shoulder, deep infection, and dislocation. And many patients who develop these complications also end up needing a second surgical procedure.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4483\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"400\"]<img class=\"size-medium wp-image-4483\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/rotator-cuff-problem-400x500.png\" alt=\"Rotator Cuff Injuries\" width=\"400\" height=\"500\" /> <em><strong>       Rotator Cuff Injuries Affect Your Sleep Too!</strong></em>[/caption]\r\n<h3>Who Is At Risk for Rotator Cuff Injuries?</h3>\r\nAs mentioned previously, many people are at risk for rotator cuff injuries. Among athletes, rotator cuff injuries are more common with pitchers, tennis players, swimmers, and any sport that involves a throwing motion or repeated over the head movements. Non-athletes who repeatedly use overhead movements are also at increased risk for rotator cuff injuries. For example, rotator cuff tendinitis occurs when the rotator cuff\'s small muscles become strained, causing weakness of these structures and subsequent tendonitis. Left untreated, a chronic condition of tendinosis can develop.\r\n<h4><em>Impingement Syndrome</em></h4>\r\nAnother shoulder condition involving the rotator cuff is impingement syndrome. This condition occurs when the <a href=\"/Articles/Prolo-News/Stem-Cell-Therapy-For-Rotator-Cuff-Injuries\">rotator cuff</a> tendon becomes pinched between the head of the humerus and the acromion process during the arm\'s motion raised above the head. This happens because the space gets narrowed, as occurs when the rotator cuff muscles weaken, and the humeral head rides high in the socket.\r\n\r\nImpingement can also ensue when bone spurs and calcium deposits narrow the space. Impingement also occurs when the contents of the subacromial space increase in size. This is most often due to a swollen rotator cuff tendon or bursa, which is painfully squeezed between the humeral head and the acromion process.\r\n<h3>Common Treatments for Rotator Cuff Injuries</h3>\r\nTreatment for rotator cuff injuries usually includes rest, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), physical therapy, and cortisone injections. Cortisone has a substantial anti-inflammatory property, reducing the tendon and bursa\'s swelling and relieving the symptoms. Unfortunately, cortisone has also been found to lead to degeneration of the soft tissue eventually. It\'s so much better to regenerate the joint. And you can get regenerative results with Regenerative Orthopedics.\r\n\r\nMany common treatments only provide temporary help. That\'s because the underlying cause is not addressed, and the problem usually returns. Degenerative fraying and tearing of the tendon may occur when the tendon is allowed to be in a constant state of irritation over time. Non-Surgical Regenerative Orthopedics is a great way to address the underlying tendon and ligament injuries and repair all of the involved soft tissue. The result is a re-strengthening of the rotator cuff, an improved shoulder joint, and an excellent chance for a full recovery and performance.\r\n<h3><a class=\"buttonlink\" href=\"/Contact\">To Learn More, Contact Us Today! It\'s free</a></h3>\r\n<h3>References:</h3>\r\n1Blitzer Charles, M. \"Arthroscopy: The Journal of Arthroscopic &amp; Related Surgery.\" <i>The Journal of Arthroscopic and Related Surgery</i> 9.4 (1993): 414-416.\r\n\r\n2Iyengar, Jaicharan J., et al. \"Current trends in rotator cuff repair: surgical technique, setting, and cost.\" <i>Arthroscopy: The Journal of Arthroscopic &amp; Related Surgery</i> 30.3 (2014): 284-288.\r\n\r\n3Traven, Sophia A., et al. \"The 5-factor modified frailty index predicts complications, hospital admission, and mortality following arthroscopic rotator cuff repair.\" <i>Arthroscopy: The Journal of Arthroscopic &amp; Related Surgery</i> 36.2 (2020): 383-388.\r\n\r\nWant more information about treating Rotator Cuff injuries? Click <a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/articles/regenerative-orthopedics/stop-shoulder-pain-from-rotator-cuff-and-other-shoulder-injuries/\">here</a> to read our article called, <a href=\"http://Stop Shoulder Pain from Rotator Cuff and Other Shoulder Injuries\">\"Stop Shoulder Pain from Rotator Cuff and Other Shoulder Injuries.\"</a>\r\n<h1></h1>\r\n&nbsp;','Rotator Cuff Injuries: Tears, Impingement, and Tendonitis','','inherit','closed','closed','','1457-revision-v1','','','2021-08-26 22:17:40','2021-08-26 22:17:40','',1457,'https://www.drfields.com/?p=4841',0,'revision','',0),(4842,9,'2021-08-26 22:19:18','2021-08-26 22:19:18','&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4837\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"500\"]<img class=\"wp-image-4837 size-medium\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Rotator-Cuff-500x375.jpeg\" alt=\"Rotator Cuff\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" /> <strong>      Prolotherapy is effective for chronic rotator cuff pain</strong>[/caption]\r\n<h1><strong>Rotator Cuff Injuries: Tears, Impingement, and Tendonitis </strong></h1>\r\nRotator cuff injuries are prevalent. Most of us have heard about rotator cuff tears and even impingement syndromes. We have probably seen and heard about them in the news. We often hear about professional athletes taken out of the game and possibly facing surgery. But these injuries affect the general public too!\r\n\r\nRotator cuff injuries are so common that they affect about a quarter of the population over 50 years of age.1 Many people are opting for surgery to fix their injury. The numbers of surgical repairs are going up and up! In some locations, surgeries are doubling in number, and particular surgeries, like arthroscopic rotator cuff repairs, have increased by 353%. 2,3 But are all of these surgeries really necessary? Especially considering the economic costs, the time needed for rehabilitation, and other personal risks!\r\n<h3>Non-Surgical Options for Rotator Cuff Injuries</h3>\r\nIn so many rotator cuff injury cases, Regenerative Orthopedic techniques, like Stem Cell Therapy, PRP, and Prolotherapy, can be used to repair the shoulder. Plus, these treatments effectively repair the injury without the need for surgery. Regenerative Orthopedics has many advantages over surgery. First and foremost, it gets to the root cause of the problem. What do we mean by that? Rotator cuff injuries affect the tendon and ligaments of the shoulder. And treatments like Prolotherapy are especially effective at healing soft tissue like tendons and ligaments.\r\n\r\nBesides, Regenerative Orthopedic options require much less rehabilitation time. They also help you avoid the risks associated with rotator cuff surgery, such as frozen shoulder, deep infection, and dislocation. And many patients who develop these complications also end up needing a second surgical procedure.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4483\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"400\"]<img class=\"size-medium wp-image-4483\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/rotator-cuff-problem-400x500.png\" alt=\"Rotator Cuff Injuries\" width=\"400\" height=\"500\" /> <em><strong>       Rotator Cuff Injuries Affect Your Sleep Too!</strong></em>[/caption]\r\n<h3>Who Is At Risk for Rotator Cuff Injuries?</h3>\r\nAs mentioned previously, many people are at risk for rotator cuff injuries. Among athletes, these injuries are more common with pitchers, tennis players, swimmers, and any sport that involves a throwing motion or repeated over-the-head movements. Non-athletes who repeatedly use overhead movements are also at increased risk for rotator cuff injuries. For example, rotator cuff tendinitis occurs when the rotator cuff\'s small muscles become strained, causing weakness of these structures and subsequent tendonitis. Left untreated, a chronic condition of tendinosis can develop.\r\n<h4><em>Impingement Syndrome</em></h4>\r\nAnother shoulder condition involving the rotator cuff is impingement syndrome. This condition occurs when the <a href=\"/Articles/Prolo-News/Stem-Cell-Therapy-For-Rotator-Cuff-Injuries\">rotator cuff</a> tendon becomes pinched between the head of the humerus and the acromion process during the arm\'s motion raised above the head. This happens because the space gets narrowed, as occurs when the rotator cuff muscles weaken, and the humeral head rides high in the socket.\r\n\r\nImpingement can also ensue when bone spurs and calcium deposits narrow the space. Impingement also occurs when the contents of the subacromial space increase in size. This is most often due to a swollen rotator cuff tendon or bursa, which is painfully squeezed between the humeral head and the acromion process.\r\n<h3>Common Treatments for Rotator Cuff Injuries</h3>\r\nTreatment for rotator cuff injuries usually includes rest, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), physical therapy, and cortisone injections. Cortisone has a substantial anti-inflammatory property, reducing the tendon and bursa\'s swelling and relieving the symptoms. Unfortunately, cortisone has also been found to lead to degeneration of the soft tissue eventually. It\'s so much better to regenerate the joint. And you can get regenerative results with Regenerative Orthopedics.\r\n\r\nMany common treatments only provide temporary help. That\'s because the underlying cause is not addressed, and the problem usually returns. Degenerative fraying and tearing of the tendon may occur when the tendon is allowed to be in a constant state of irritation over time. Non-Surgical Regenerative Orthopedics is a great way to address the underlying tendon and ligament injuries and repair all of the involved soft tissue. The result is a re-strengthening of the rotator cuff, an improved shoulder joint, and an excellent chance for a full recovery and performance.\r\n<h3><a class=\"buttonlink\" href=\"/Contact\">To Learn More, Contact Us Today! It\'s free</a></h3>\r\n<h3>References:</h3>\r\n1Blitzer Charles, M. \"Arthroscopy: The Journal of Arthroscopic &amp; Related Surgery.\" <i>The Journal of Arthroscopic and Related Surgery</i> 9.4 (1993): 414-416.\r\n\r\n2Iyengar, Jaicharan J., et al. \"Current trends in rotator cuff repair: surgical technique, setting, and cost.\" <i>Arthroscopy: The Journal of Arthroscopic &amp; Related Surgery</i> 30.3 (2014): 284-288.\r\n\r\n3Traven, Sophia A., et al. \"The 5-factor modified frailty index predicts complications, hospital admission, and mortality following arthroscopic rotator cuff repair.\" <i>Arthroscopy: The Journal of Arthroscopic &amp; Related Surgery</i> 36.2 (2020): 383-388.\r\n\r\nWant more information about treating Rotator Cuff injuries? Click <a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/articles/regenerative-orthopedics/stop-shoulder-pain-from-rotator-cuff-and-other-shoulder-injuries/\">here</a> to read our article called, <a href=\"http://Stop Shoulder Pain from Rotator Cuff and Other Shoulder Injuries\">\"Stop Shoulder Pain from Rotator Cuff and Other Shoulder Injuries.\"</a>\r\n<h1></h1>\r\n&nbsp;','Rotator Cuff Injuries: Tears, Impingement, and Tendonitis','','inherit','closed','closed','','1457-revision-v1','','','2021-08-26 22:19:18','2021-08-26 22:19:18','',1457,'https://www.drfields.com/?p=4842',0,'revision','',0),(4843,9,'2021-08-27 18:23:55','2021-08-27 18:23:55','','DANCING v3','','inherit','open','closed','','dancing-v3','','','2021-08-27 18:23:55','2021-08-27 18:23:55','',2208,'https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/DANCING-v3.mp4',0,'attachment','video/mp4',0),(4844,9,'2021-08-27 18:31:09','2021-08-27 18:31:09','Dancing','Dancing','Dancing','inherit','open','closed','','dancing','','','2021-08-27 18:31:09','2021-08-27 18:31:09','',0,'https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Dancing.png',0,'attachment','image/png',0),(4845,9,'2021-08-27 18:32:34','2021-08-27 18:32:34','<h4>Report of My Kilimanjaro Climb (late by two years!)</h4>\r\n<em>By Peter A. Fields, MD, DC</em>\r\n\r\nAfter waiting ten years with this on my bucket list, I finally was going to climb Kilimanjaro.\r\n<h3>Getting there</h3>\r\n<img class=\"alignleft\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/klimanjaro-8.jpg\" alt=\"\" />\r\n\r\nFirst an 11-hour flight to London where I had a 36-hour layover. Saw \"Tina, The Musical\" (life and times of Tina Truner). Great show.  Then 9 ½ hour flight to Nairobi, where I spent 24 hours so I was able to see the city. Then a one-hour flight to Kilimanjaro, Tanzania. My arrival at Kilimanjaro airport was on Sunday night. This was followed by a two-and-a-half-hour ride, with half of it on a very bumpy dirt road, before reaching the destination at the base camp. Since it was almost midnight, I went straight to my tent, which was quite luxurious for camping, and included a sink, a bathroom and even a shower. I took advantage of a quick shower and went straight to bed.\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/Day-1-Kiliminaro-and-base-camp-arrival\"><strong>See Photos</strong></a></p>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<h3>Pre-Climb Hike</h3>\r\n<img class=\"alignleft\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/klimanjaro-9.jpg\" alt=\"\" />\r\n\r\nAfter a nice breakfast, where I met the other climbers and our trek leaders, we went for a short two-hour hike just to see the local terrain. It was beautiful, with waterfalls and lots of lush plants and greenery. The guide leader went through our entire pack to make sure that we would be taking everything we needed and that everything was in good shape. The rest of the day was just spent relaxing, except for a short sunset hike of 10 minutes, where at the top of the small hill they had wine waiting for us. A pleasant surprise.\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/Finally-hiking\"><strong>See Photos</strong></a></p>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<h3>First Day Hike</h3>\r\n<img class=\"alignleft\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/killi-trailhead-4.jpg\" /><img class=\"alignleft\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/killi-trailhead-3.jpg\" /><img class=\"alignleft\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/killi-trailhead-2.jpg\" />\r\n\r\nAfter a two-hour ride, we arrived at the check-in point. The weather was hot enough to wear shorts and t-shirts since we were only 3 degrees off the equator. There we saw the more than 45 plus Sherpa’s that would accompany us. There were six Sherpa’s( there were six hikers) to carry each person\'s clothing (colder weather gear, nighttime clothes, toiletries, etc.). Then six to carry our bedding, and tents ( double roofed for better rain protection), six would carry our food for 7 days ( three full meals a day), eight of them made up the kitchen team, another team of two would carry the oxygen and medicine, four to carry the toilets and tents over them, plus about 10 other Sherpa’s would carry all the tents, tables and chairs. There were also 10 more to carry all of the sherpa’s food and equipment.\r\n\r\nWe had to register and show our passports, and after that, we took a short 20-minute drive to the trailhead. Arriving at noon, a very nice, well-prepared lunch was ready for us. We started the hike at 7700 feet and climbed to 9300 feet. The area was mostly jungle-like, with a lot of fantastic plants, birds and other exotic wildlife, including Colobus monkeys and other animals. When we arrived at the camp at 9300 feet, the tents were already set up, and we unpacked our gear in each individual tent, had dinner and went to sleep.\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/Kili-Getting-to-the-trailhead\"><strong>See Photos</strong></a></p>\r\n\r\n<h3>Second Day Hike</h3>\r\nAt 6:30 AM we were woken up with a hot bowl of water to wash up and get ready for the day. A very full breakfast was prepared for us and then we started off to hike again. For hiking, it’s important to eat three square meals a day as well as drink a minimum of three liters of water a day. Without this exhaustion, dehydration and more can happen. The guides made sure that we would eat a lot and consume lots of water.\r\n\r\nWe headed off on our hike up to 11,400 feet, crossing from the Montane Forest into the Hagenia Zone, where we saw many different plants and beautiful trees throughout the canyon.\r\n\r\nI felt pretty good, as I had taken Diamox, a medicine to help prevent altitude sickness. I had a Camelback-style drinking system so I was drinking copious amounts of water. At night it was cold but with the proper gear (well worth the expense!), I felt warm.\r\n<h3>Day Three Hike</h3>\r\nWe had another early wake-up call today and another substantial breakfast (scrambled eggs, toast, pancakes, fruit, toast, jelly, peanut butter, tea/coffee, and more. We hiked across a large plateau and gained about 2,100 feet in altitude. It was very interesting as we passed into the upper heath zone, where there were no more trees here, just a lot of different plants. And lots of volcanic rock (the last active volcano here took place over 10,000 years ago).\r\n\r\nThe hiking was very slow and consistent, as they say in Swahili, “Poli, Poli.” Again I felt very good when arriving at Moir camp at 13,500 feet. We had beautiful views of the mountain as the clouds moved away. It was really spectacular!\r\n<h3>Day Four Hike</h3>\r\n<img class=\"alignleft\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/klimanjaro-2.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"170\" height=\"226\" /><img class=\"alignleft\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Kilihiking15000-4.jpg\" width=\"423\" height=\"238\" />\r\n\r\nWe woke up again at 6:30 AM, had breakfast at 7 and were hiking by 7:30. Today was a shorter hike of only 3.1 miles, but we did climb 2000 feet. It was slow in some parts and the steep sections were even slower. Finally, we arrived at camp after hiking for only 2 hours and 20 minutes. We were now at 15,500 feet. The air is very thin, so with every step you take you to think about it. But when we arrived at camp, everything seemed to settle down. During the afternoon there was a hale storm that turned into snow, so everybody went into their tents. I probably took a 3-hour well-needed nap. After a good dinner, we all went to bed, but not until we viewed the beautiful skies at 15,500 feet in the southern hemisphere.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/Kili-Hiking-to-15000-feet\"><strong>See Photos</strong></a></p>\r\n\r\n<h3>Day Five Hike</h3>\r\n<img class=\"alignleft\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/klimanjaro-3.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"128\" height=\"170\" />\r\n\r\nWe had the usual wake-up call at 6:30 AM and were on the road by 7:30. It snowed during the night, but only half an inch or so, making everything white and beautiful. The good news is this meant it was right around 32 degrees. The sun came out, so it was warm when we hiked but a little bit cooler when clouds were overhead. Plus with the altitude (lots of breathing) and hiking effort, one was rarely cold. Today\'s hike was only one thousand feet of climbing and a short hike to the base camp. The big hike tomorrow will only be about an hour and 20 minutes, but it will be over a lot of rocks and boulders and will be steep in some places. We arrived at the base camp around\r\n10:30 - 11 in the morning. We were supposed to go for a short hike from there without our packs but it started snowing for over an hour, so that was canceled. Tomorrow morning, we will have a 4 AM wake-up call in anticipation of a 2,300-foot elevation climb up to18,650 feet.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<h3>Day Six Hike</h3>\r\n<img class=\"alignleft\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/16500-18400-12.jpg\" /><img class=\"alignright\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/16500-18400-13.jpg\" />\r\n\r\nWake-up call at 4 AM and breakfast at 4:30. The slow group left at 5. We (my hiking partner, myself and our guide) left about 5:30. At this altitude of over 16,000 feet, everyone moves very slowly. The first little part was steep and slightly snow-covered, but then it got extremely steep and no longer covered in snow. We climbed 2,400 feet over 2.6 miles. The first hour was in the dark, but we all had headlamps. It was very rocky and we had to use our hands sometimes to climb. We ran into a few other tours on the trail and all of us had to cut across a mountainside since the snow had obliterated the trail the night before. We were now over 17, 000 feet. One of the guides from another tour (all the guides know each other) had a pickaxe and so he chopped thru the snow to make it easier on our footing. Even so, it was very slippery. There were times we had to use all four extremities to climb, even kneeling on the next step up because the step was too high to reach with our foot. Breathing was becoming more and more labored and it was difficult to catch our breath in the thinning air. When we stopped at 18,000 feet for a snack and water, we thought the worst was over, but that wasn’t the case. The next 500 feet were very rocky and slippery, and that along with the very thin air meant we had to take three or four steps before needing to stop for a break. Like having a bag over your head and pulling for each breath. Finally, we reached the craters ridge and were very happy. These are remnants of glaciers that once covered this entire valley. The whole valley was snow-covered and looked like we were walking in a desert. When we arrived, we were not allowed to lie down in our tents for about a good hour because we needed to let our bodies acclimate to the thin air at 18,600 feet. After that, we enjoyed a well-deserved nap before an early dinner because we would be getting up again at 4 AM to <em>climb to the top of Kilimanjaro!</em>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/16-500-feet-to-18-400\"><strong>See Photos</strong></a></p>\r\n\r\n<h2>Day Seven Hike</h2>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_2282\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"397\"]<img class=\"size-full wp-image-2282\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/summit-19341-7.jpg\" alt=\"Summit 19,341 (7)\" width=\"397\" height=\"310\" /> Summit 19,341[/caption]\r\n\r\nThe night was extremely cold, with ground temperatures probably down to zero degrees Fahrenheit. We did everything to keep ourselves warm! I laid my down jacket on top of my sleeping bag (which was rated to zero degrees), plus I had a liner inside the sleeping bag which gave me an additional 25 degrees of warmth. I am definitely not a cold weather person but with the right gear, it was not too bad.\r\nWe were woken up at 4 AM. After eating and packing our stuff ( only our personal things; the Sherpa took care of the sleeping bag and tent each morning and night, we were off for a 75-minute climb, basically straight up and extremely cold. Fortunately, I had bought the best mittens ever and my hands were not cold. Nonetheless, my legs and face took the brunt of it, and we moved very, very slowly. 10 feet could take several minutes. After a very hard, straight-up climbing, we had to cross a flat plane to the actual top of the mountain. The wind was blowing like crazy. The air temp was around minus 10 Fahrenheit with the wind chill probably down to negative 45 or 50 Fahrenheit. But all 6 of us had made it. It was a special feeling…an unbelievable feeling!\r\n\r\nI always carry some ashes of my parents no matter where I travel in this world. And since this was a very special place, I quietly said a prayer, took off my mittens (brrr) and sprinkled some of their ashes at the top. They had made it the whole way with me!\r\n\r\nWe took our pictures and then had to get going due to the intense winds and brutal cold. Fortunately, we summited very early and there were only one or two other groups at the top. Later on, there would be at least 50-100 people. We saw a gorgeous sunrise since it was only about 7 in the morning. We were almost on the equator, and sunrise and sunsets are always at around 6:30 without much variation from season to season.\r\nImmediately, once we started to go down, we could feel the release of pressure in our lungs and chest. The descent and decreasing pressure made it a lot easier on our lungs, plus it was now all downhill. After an hour or two our quads really felt it, and we would be walking downhill for the next 5 to 6 hours!\r\nWe did stop for a small break for some lunch, but our appetite was low due to altitude. Several of the hikers experienced altitude sickness on the way up, with nausea, diarrhea, headaches loss of appetite and weakness. But it was worse for me while descending, but fortunately, I had only lost my appetite with slight nausea and it lasted only for a short period of time.. Anyway, we finally made it to camp at 10,500 feet. The weather was really nice and a bit warmer, between about 45 to 50 degrees or more. What a difference from the night before! We all had a good meal and rested, as we had been hiking downhill for over 8 hours, and all of our legs were extremely tired.\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/Hiking-to-the-summit-19-341-feet\"><strong>See Photos</strong></a></p>\r\n\r\n<h3>Day Eight Hike</h3>\r\n<img class=\"alignright\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Sunriseuptop-3.jpg\" />\r\n\r\nWe woke up at 6:30 AM, which was a big difference from 4 AM. Today would be our last night, and we would be saying goodbye to all the Sherpas and guides. Only the guides would continue with us. I volunteered to be the spokesperson of the group, which meant I would be collecting the tip money and giving a short speech.\r\n\r\nAfter breakfast, the 40 or so sherpas gathered around singing and dancing. I actually joined them in the dancing, which I have a video of. I was very tired, but it was still worth it. I gave a 3-minute speech thanking every one of them for all of their hard work and dedication, and telling them that their help, whether by carrying a table, carrying sleeping bags, setting up tents, preparing food and everything else they did for us, was all very special and helped us so much.\r\n\r\nWe then set off for our last 6 to 7-hour hike downhill. Although it was not very steep, it was a dried-up river bed that were full of rocks and stones, making footing uneasy, and causing our quads to be even more on fire. But we knew the end was coming, so we just kept going. We stopped for lunch and continued on. After about 7 hours, we saw the base camp. Nothing could be sweeter! I signed out at the Ranger station and basically collapsed into the waiting truck. There were a lot of campers and hikers ending in this same area, so they drove us about 20 minutes away.\r\n\r\nWe had some lunch and then drove the rest of the way back to the lodge, which was a beautiful hotel about half an hour outside of Arusha on an old coffee plantation. Everybody had their own cabin. For the first time in 9 days, I took a shower. It was wonderful! Then we all gathered with the two guides and I said a few more words to represent the group. We had a nice dinner, and then two people left for the airport by 7 PM. That night, was my first night of sleep in a bed, after 9 days. It was fantastic! The mission was accomplished!\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/Sunrise-up-top-and-heading-down\"><strong>See Photos</strong></a>\r\n<h2>Postscript</h2>\r\n<img class=\"size-full wp-image-2213\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/klimanjaro-5.jpg\" alt=\"Klimanjaro (5)\" width=\"128\" height=\"128\" />\r\n\r\nEven though the trip was not exactly as described in the pamphlet, it was something I had had on my bucket list for over 10 years. It was extremely difficult at times. Some of our hikers had difficulty even moving and needed assistance. But we all persevered. I\'ve done 10 Ironman races so far (now 11!), which require monumental training. But the long hike up to the crater from 16,800 feet to 18,400, with the subsequent day of summiting, followed by the 9,000 foot descent, were some of the hardest things that I\'ve ever done. And that includes all my Ironman competitions.\r\n\r\nYou just can\'t imagine what it\'s like trying to move at that altitude. As I said before, it is similar to having a paper bag over your head and trying to grasp for air. There were times I took two or three steps and then had to pause for 15 or 20 seconds just to get my heart rate and breathing back down, repeating that again and again and again. Never looking ahead, only down, because sometimes ten feet took 45-60 seconds to cross. All this while enduring the sub-freezing temperature, the blowing snow and the wind chill factors. Nothing but grit and determination to keep you going. But thee views were spectacular and the feeling of being literally on top of the world, made it all wroth it.\r\nI\'ll continue to enjoy my Ironman triathlons and continue to do them as long as I can. But as far as hiking up a mountain to 19,341 feet, this will be my one and only time! It\'s a tremendous accomplishment, but something I would not want to repeat.\r\n\r\n<img class=\"aligncenter\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/final-goodbyes-1.jpg\" />\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/Final-goodbyes-and-certificates\"><strong>See Photos</strong></a></p>\r\n[video width=\"352\" height=\"640\" mp4=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/DANCING-v3.mp4\" poster=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Dancing.png\"][/video]\r\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\">Post Postscript</h2>\r\nThank you to everyone that sent me well wishes before, during, and after my climb. It meant so much!\r\nI also thank my parents who gave me the will and determination to achieve all the goals in my life, no matter how hard they are.\r\nThey always ingrained this determination in me and encouraged me to just put my head down and keep going to achieve my goals.\r\nAs I said above, they were with me the whole way and always will be.\r\n\r\nThank you for taking the time to read this. I hope this will inspire you that if a goal is desired, to just put your head down and keep going no matter how difficult it may seem.\r\n\r\n<strong>Peter A. Fields, MD, DC </strong>\r\n<strong>The Athletic Doc<sup>®</sup></strong>','Report of My Kilimanjaro Climb','','inherit','closed','closed','','2208-revision-v1','','','2021-08-27 18:32:34','2021-08-27 18:32:34','',2208,'https://www.drfields.com/?p=4845',0,'revision','',0),(4846,9,'2021-08-27 18:48:21','2021-08-27 18:48:21','<h4>Report of My Kilimanjaro Climb (late by two years!)</h4>\r\n<em>By Peter A. Fields, MD, DC</em>\r\n\r\nAfter waiting ten years with this on my bucket list, I finally was going to climb Kilimanjaro.\r\n<h3>Getting there</h3>\r\n<img class=\"alignleft\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/klimanjaro-8.jpg\" alt=\"\" />\r\n\r\nFirst an 11-hour flight to London where I had a 36-hour layover. Saw \"Tina, The Musical\" (life and times of Tina Truner). Great show.  Then 9 ½ hour flight to Nairobi, where I spent 24 hours so I was able to see the city. Then a one-hour flight to Kilimanjaro, Tanzania. My arrival at Kilimanjaro airport was on Sunday night. This was followed by a two-and-a-half-hour ride, with half of it on a very bumpy dirt road, before reaching the destination at the base camp. Since it was almost midnight, I went straight to my tent, which was quite luxurious for camping, and included a sink, a bathroom, and even a shower. I took advantage of a quick shower and went straight to bed.\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/Day-1-Kiliminaro-and-base-camp-arrival\"><strong>See Photos</strong></a></p>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<h3>Pre-Climb Hike</h3>\r\n<img class=\"alignleft\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/klimanjaro-9.jpg\" alt=\"\" />\r\n\r\nAfter a nice breakfast, where I met the other climbers and our trek leaders, we went for a short two-hour hike just to see the local terrain. It was beautiful, with waterfalls and lots of lush plants and greenery. The guide leader went through our entire pack to make sure that we would be taking everything we needed and that everything was in good shape. The rest of the day was just spent relaxing, except for a short sunset hike of 10 minutes, where at the top of the small hill they had wine waiting for us. A pleasant surprise.\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/Finally-hiking\"><strong>See Photos</strong></a></p>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<h3>First Day Hike</h3>\r\n<img class=\"alignleft\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/killi-trailhead-4.jpg\" /><img class=\"alignleft\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/killi-trailhead-3.jpg\" /><img class=\"alignleft\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/killi-trailhead-2.jpg\" />\r\n\r\nAfter a two-hour ride, we arrived at the check-in point. The weather was hot enough to wear shorts and t-shirts since we were only 3 degrees off the equator. There we saw the more than 45 plus Sherpa’s that would accompany us. There were six Sherpa’s( there were six hikers) to carry each person\'s clothing (colder weather gear, nighttime clothes, toiletries, etc.). Then six to carry our bedding, and tents ( double roofed for better rain protection), six would carry our food for 7 days ( three full meals a day), eight of them made up the kitchen team, another team of two would carry the oxygen and medicine, four to carry the toilets and tents over them, plus about 10 other Sherpa’s would carry all the tents, tables and chairs. There were also 10 more to carry all of the sherpa’s food and equipment.\r\n\r\nWe had to register and show our passports, and after that, we took a short 20-minute drive to the trailhead. Arriving at noon, a very nice, well-prepared lunch was ready for us. We started the hike at 7700 feet and climbed to 9300 feet. The area was mostly jungle-like, with a lot of fantastic plants, birds and other exotic wildlife, including Colobus monkeys and other animals. When we arrived at the camp at 9300 feet, the tents were already set up, and we unpacked our gear in each individual tent, had dinner and went to sleep.\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/Kili-Getting-to-the-trailhead\"><strong>See Photos</strong></a></p>\r\n\r\n<h3>Second Day Hike</h3>\r\nAt 6:30 AM we were woken up with a hot bowl of water to wash up and get ready for the day. A very full breakfast was prepared for us and then we started off to hike again. For hiking, it’s important to eat three square meals a day as well as drink a minimum of three liters of water a day. Without this exhaustion, dehydration and more can happen. The guides made sure that we would eat a lot and consume lots of water.\r\n\r\nWe headed off on our hike up to 11,400 feet, crossing from the Montane Forest into the Hagenia Zone, where we saw many different plants and beautiful trees throughout the canyon.\r\n\r\nI felt pretty good, as I had taken Diamox, a medicine to help prevent altitude sickness. I had a Camelback-style drinking system so I was drinking copious amounts of water. At night it was cold but with the proper gear (well worth the expense!), I felt warm.\r\n<h3>Day Three Hike</h3>\r\nWe had another early wake-up call today and another substantial breakfast (scrambled eggs, toast, pancakes, fruit, toast, jelly, peanut butter, tea/coffee, and more. We hiked across a large plateau and gained about 2,100 feet in altitude. It was very interesting as we passed into the upper heath zone, where there were no more trees here, just a lot of different plants. And lots of volcanic rock (the last active volcano here took place over 10,000 years ago).\r\n\r\nThe hiking was very slow and consistent, as they say in Swahili, “Poli, Poli.” Again I felt very good when arriving at Moir camp at 13,500 feet. We had beautiful views of the mountain as the clouds moved away. It was really spectacular!\r\n<h3>Day Four Hike</h3>\r\n<img class=\"alignleft\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/klimanjaro-2.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"170\" height=\"226\" /><img class=\"alignleft\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Kilihiking15000-4.jpg\" width=\"423\" height=\"238\" />\r\n\r\nWe woke up again at 6:30 AM, had breakfast at 7 and were hiking by 7:30. Today was a shorter hike of only 3.1 miles, but we did climb 2000 feet. It was slow in some parts and the steep sections were even slower. Finally, we arrived at camp after hiking for only 2 hours and 20 minutes. We were now at 15,500 feet. The air is very thin, so with every step you take you to think about it. But when we arrived at camp, everything seemed to settle down. During the afternoon there was a hale storm that turned into snow, so everybody went into their tents. I probably took a 3-hour well-needed nap. After a good dinner, we all went to bed, but not until we viewed the beautiful skies at 15,500 feet in the southern hemisphere.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/Kili-Hiking-to-15000-feet\"><strong>See Photos</strong></a></p>\r\n\r\n<h3>Day Five Hike</h3>\r\n<img class=\"alignleft\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/klimanjaro-3.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"128\" height=\"170\" />\r\n\r\nWe had the usual wake-up call at 6:30 AM and were on the road by 7:30. It snowed during the night, but only half an inch or so, making everything white and beautiful. The good news is this meant it was right around 32 degrees. The sun came out, so it was warm when we hiked but a little bit cooler when clouds were overhead. Plus with the altitude (lots of breathing) and hiking effort, one was rarely cold. Today\'s hike was only one thousand feet of climbing and a short hike to the base camp. The big hike tomorrow will only be about an hour and 20 minutes, but it will be over a lot of rocks and boulders and will be steep in some places. We arrived at the base camp around\r\n10:30 - 11 in the morning. We were supposed to go for a short hike from there without our packs but it started snowing for over an hour, so that was canceled. Tomorrow morning, we will have a 4 AM wake-up call in anticipation of a 2,300-foot elevation climb up to18,650 feet.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<h3>Day Six Hike</h3>\r\n<img class=\"alignleft\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/16500-18400-12.jpg\" /><img class=\"alignright\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/16500-18400-13.jpg\" />\r\n\r\nWake-up call at 4 AM and breakfast at 4:30. The slow group left at 5. We (my hiking partner, myself and our guide) left about 5:30. At this altitude of over 16,000 feet, everyone moves very slowly. The first little part was steep and slightly snow-covered, but then it got extremely steep and no longer covered in snow. We climbed 2,400 feet over 2.6 miles. The first hour was in the dark, but we all had headlamps. It was very rocky and we had to use our hands sometimes to climb. We ran into a few other tours on the trail and all of us had to cut across a mountainside since the snow had obliterated the trail the night before. We were now over 17, 000 feet. One of the guides from another tour (all the guides know each other) had a pickaxe and so he chopped thru the snow to make it easier on our footing. Even so, it was very slippery. There were times we had to use all four extremities to climb, even kneeling on the next step up because the step was too high to reach with our foot. Breathing was becoming more and more labored and it was difficult to catch our breath in the thinning air. When we stopped at 18,000 feet for a snack and water, we thought the worst was over, but that wasn’t the case. The next 500 feet were very rocky and slippery, and that along with the very thin air meant we had to take three or four steps before needing to stop for a break. Like having a bag over your head and pulling for each breath. Finally, we reached the craters ridge and were very happy. These are remnants of glaciers that once covered this entire valley. The whole valley was snow-covered and looked like we were walking in a desert. When we arrived, we were not allowed to lie down in our tents for about a good hour because we needed to let our bodies acclimate to the thin air at 18,600 feet. After that, we enjoyed a well-deserved nap before an early dinner because we would be getting up again at 4 AM to <em>climb to the top of Kilimanjaro!</em>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/16-500-feet-to-18-400\"><strong>See Photos</strong></a></p>\r\n\r\n<h2>Day Seven Hike</h2>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_2282\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"397\"]<img class=\"size-full wp-image-2282\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/summit-19341-7.jpg\" alt=\"Summit 19,341 (7)\" width=\"397\" height=\"310\" /> Summit 19,341[/caption]\r\n\r\nThe night was extremely cold, with ground temperatures probably down to zero degrees Fahrenheit. We did everything to keep ourselves warm! I laid my down jacket on top of my sleeping bag (which was rated to zero degrees), plus I had a liner inside the sleeping bag which gave me an additional 25 degrees of warmth. I am definitely not a cold weather person but with the right gear, it was not too bad.\r\nWe were woken up at 4 AM. After eating and packing our stuff ( only our personal things; the Sherpa took care of the sleeping bag and tent each morning and night, we were off for a 75-minute climb, basically straight up and extremely cold. Fortunately, I had bought the best mittens ever and my hands were not cold. Nonetheless, my legs and face took the brunt of it, and we moved very, very slowly. 10 feet could take several minutes. After a very hard, straight-up climbing, we had to cross a flat plane to the actual top of the mountain. The wind was blowing like crazy. The air temp was around minus 10 Fahrenheit with the wind chill probably down to negative 45 or 50 Fahrenheit. But all 6 of us had made it. It was a special feeling…an unbelievable feeling!\r\n\r\nI always carry some ashes of my parents no matter where I travel in this world. And since this was a very special place, I quietly said a prayer, took off my mittens (brrr) and sprinkled some of their ashes at the top. They had made it the whole way with me!\r\n\r\nWe took our pictures and then had to get going due to the intense winds and brutal cold. Fortunately, we summited very early and there were only one or two other groups at the top. Later on, there would be at least 50-100 people. We saw a gorgeous sunrise since it was only about 7 in the morning. We were almost on the equator, and sunrise and sunsets are always at around 6:30 without much variation from season to season.\r\nImmediately, once we started to go down, we could feel the release of pressure in our lungs and chest. The descent and decreasing pressure made it a lot easier on our lungs, plus it was now all downhill. After an hour or two our quads really felt it, and we would be walking downhill for the next 5 to 6 hours!\r\nWe did stop for a small break for some lunch, but our appetite was low due to altitude. Several of the hikers experienced altitude sickness on the way up, with nausea, diarrhea, headaches loss of appetite and weakness. But it was worse for me while descending, but fortunately, I had only lost my appetite with slight nausea and it lasted only for a short period of time.. Anyway, we finally made it to camp at 10,500 feet. The weather was really nice and a bit warmer, between about 45 to 50 degrees or more. What a difference from the night before! We all had a good meal and rested, as we had been hiking downhill for over 8 hours, and all of our legs were extremely tired.\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/Hiking-to-the-summit-19-341-feet\"><strong>See Photos</strong></a></p>\r\n\r\n<h3>Day Eight Hike</h3>\r\n<img class=\"alignright\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Sunriseuptop-3.jpg\" />\r\n\r\nWe woke up at 6:30 AM, which was a big difference from 4 AM. Today would be our last night, and we would be saying goodbye to all the Sherpas and guides. Only the guides would continue with us. I volunteered to be the spokesperson of the group, which meant I would be collecting the tip money and giving a short speech.\r\n\r\nAfter breakfast, the 40 or so sherpas gathered around singing and dancing. I actually joined them in the dancing, which I have a video of. I was very tired, but it was still worth it. I gave a 3-minute speech thanking every one of them for all of their hard work and dedication, and telling them that their help, whether by carrying a table, carrying sleeping bags, setting up tents, preparing food and everything else they did for us, was all very special and helped us so much.\r\n\r\nWe then set off for our last 6 to 7-hour hike downhill. Although it was not very steep, it was a dried-up river bed that were full of rocks and stones, making footing uneasy, and causing our quads to be even more on fire. But we knew the end was coming, so we just kept going. We stopped for lunch and continued on. After about 7 hours, we saw the base camp. Nothing could be sweeter! I signed out at the Ranger station and basically collapsed into the waiting truck. There were a lot of campers and hikers ending in this same area, so they drove us about 20 minutes away.\r\n\r\nWe had some lunch and then drove the rest of the way back to the lodge, which was a beautiful hotel about half an hour outside of Arusha on an old coffee plantation. Everybody had their own cabin. For the first time in 9 days, I took a shower. It was wonderful! Then we all gathered with the two guides and I said a few more words to represent the group. We had a nice dinner, and then two people left for the airport by 7 PM. That night, was my first night of sleep in a bed, after 9 days. It was fantastic! The mission was accomplished!\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/Sunrise-up-top-and-heading-down\"><strong>See Photos</strong></a>\r\n<h2>Postscript</h2>\r\n<img class=\"size-full wp-image-2213\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/klimanjaro-5.jpg\" alt=\"Klimanjaro (5)\" width=\"128\" height=\"128\" />\r\n\r\nEven though the trip was not exactly as described in the pamphlet, it was something I had had on my bucket list for over 10 years. It was extremely difficult at times. Some of our hikers had difficulty even moving and needed assistance. But we all persevered. I\'ve done 10 Ironman races so far (now 11!), which require monumental training. But the long hike up to the crater from 16,800 feet to 18,400, with the subsequent day of summiting, followed by the 9,000 foot descent, were some of the hardest things that I\'ve ever done. And that includes all my Ironman competitions.\r\n\r\nYou just can\'t imagine what it\'s like trying to move at that altitude. As I said before, it is similar to having a paper bag over your head and trying to grasp for air. There were times I took two or three steps and then had to pause for 15 or 20 seconds just to get my heart rate and breathing back down, repeating that again and again and again. Never looking ahead, only down, because sometimes ten feet took 45-60 seconds to cross. All this while enduring the sub-freezing temperature, the blowing snow and the wind chill factors. Nothing but grit and determination to keep you going. But thee views were spectacular and the feeling of being literally on top of the world, made it all wroth it.\r\nI\'ll continue to enjoy my Ironman triathlons and continue to do them as long as I can. But as far as hiking up a mountain to 19,341 feet, this will be my one and only time! It\'s a tremendous accomplishment, but something I would not want to repeat.\r\n\r\n<img class=\"aligncenter\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/final-goodbyes-1.jpg\" />\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/Final-goodbyes-and-certificates\"><strong>See Photos</strong></a></p>\r\n\r\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\">Post Postscript</h2>\r\nThank you to everyone that sent me well wishes before, during, and after my climb. It meant so much!\r\nI also thank my parents who gave me the will and determination to achieve all the goals in my life, no matter how hard they are.\r\nThey always ingrained this determination in me and encouraged me to just put my head down and keep going to achieve my goals.\r\nAs I said above, they were with me the whole way and always will be.\r\n\r\nThank you for taking the time to read this. I hope this will inspire you that if a goal is desired, to just put your head down and keep going no matter how difficult it may seem.\r\n\r\n<strong>Peter A. Fields, MD, DC </strong>\r\n<strong>The Athletic Doc<sup>®</sup></strong>','Report of My Kilimanjaro Climb','','inherit','closed','closed','','2208-revision-v1','','','2021-08-27 18:48:21','2021-08-27 18:48:21','',2208,'https://www.drfields.com/?p=4846',0,'revision','',0),(4847,9,'2021-08-27 18:53:00','2021-08-27 18:53:00','<h1>Report of My Kilimanjaro Climb (late by two years!)</h1>\r\n<em>By Peter A. Fields, MD, DC</em>\r\n\r\nAfter waiting ten years with this on my bucket list, I finally was going to climb Kilimanjaro.\r\n<h3>Getting to Mount Kilimanjaro</h3>\r\n<img class=\"alignleft\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/klimanjaro-8.jpg\" alt=\"\" />\r\n\r\nFirst an 11-hour flight to London where I had a 36-hour layover. Saw \"Tina, The Musical\" (life and times of Tina Truner). Great show.  Then 9 ½ hour flight to Nairobi, where I spent 24 hours so I was able to see the city. Then a one-hour flight to Kilimanjaro, Tanzania. My arrival at Kilimanjaro airport was on Sunday night. This was followed by a two-and-a-half-hour ride, with half of it on a very bumpy dirt road, before reaching the destination at the base camp. Since it was almost midnight, I went straight to my tent, which was quite luxurious for camping, and included a sink, a bathroom, and even a shower. I took advantage of a quick shower and went straight to bed.\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/Day-1-Kiliminaro-and-base-camp-arrival\"><strong>See Photos</strong></a></p>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<h3>Pre-Climb Hike</h3>\r\n<img class=\"alignleft\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/klimanjaro-9.jpg\" alt=\"\" />\r\n\r\nAfter a nice breakfast, where I met the other climbers and our trek leaders, we went for a short two-hour hike just to see the local terrain. It was beautiful, with waterfalls and lots of lush plants and greenery. The guide leader went through our entire pack to make sure that we would be taking everything we needed and that everything was in good shape. The rest of the day was just spent relaxing, except for a short sunset hike of 10 minutes, where at the top of the small hill they had wine waiting for us. A pleasant surprise.\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/Finally-hiking\"><strong>See Photos</strong></a></p>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<h3>First Day Hike</h3>\r\n<img class=\"alignleft\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/killi-trailhead-4.jpg\" /><img class=\"alignleft\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/killi-trailhead-3.jpg\" /><img class=\"alignleft\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/killi-trailhead-2.jpg\" />\r\n\r\nAfter a two-hour ride, we arrived at the check-in point. The weather was hot enough to wear shorts and t-shirts since we were only 3 degrees off the equator. There we saw the more than 45 plus Sherpa’s that would accompany us. There were six Sherpa’s( there were six hikers) to carry each person\'s clothing (colder weather gear, nighttime clothes, toiletries, etc.). Then six to carry our bedding, and tents ( double roofed for better rain protection), six would carry our food for 7 days ( three full meals a day), eight of them made up the kitchen team, another team of two would carry the oxygen and medicine, four to carry the toilets and tents over them, plus about 10 other Sherpa’s would carry all the tents, tables and chairs. There were also 10 more to carry all of the sherpa’s food and equipment.\r\n\r\nWe had to register and show our passports, and after that, we took a short 20-minute drive to the trailhead. Arriving at noon, a very nice, well-prepared lunch was ready for us. We started the hike at 7700 feet and climbed to 9300 feet. The area was mostly jungle-like, with a lot of fantastic plants, birds and other exotic wildlife, including Colobus monkeys and other animals. When we arrived at the camp at 9300 feet, the tents were already set up, and we unpacked our gear in each individual tent, had dinner, and went to sleep.\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/Kili-Getting-to-the-trailhead\"><strong>See Photos</strong></a></p>\r\n\r\n<h3>Second Day Hike</h3>\r\nAt 6:30 AM we were woken up with a hot bowl of water to wash up and get ready for the day. A very full breakfast was prepared for us and then we started off to hike again. For hiking, it’s important to eat three square meals a day as well as drink a minimum of three liters of water a day. Without this exhaustion, dehydration, and more can happen. The guides made sure that we would eat a lot and consume lots of water.\r\n\r\nWe headed off on our hike up to 11,400 feet, crossing from the Montane Forest into the Hagenia Zone, where we saw many different plants and beautiful trees throughout the canyon.\r\n\r\nI felt pretty good, as I had taken Diamox, a medicine to help prevent altitude sickness. I had a Camelback-style drinking system so I was drinking copious amounts of water. At night it was cold but with the proper gear (well worth the expense!), I felt warm.\r\n<h3>Day Three Hike</h3>\r\nWe had another early wake-up call today and another substantial breakfast (scrambled eggs, toast, pancakes, fruit, toast, jelly, peanut butter, tea/coffee, and more. We hiked across a large plateau and gained about 2,100 feet in altitude. It was very interesting as we passed into the upper heath zone, where there were no more trees here, just a lot of different plants. And lots of volcanic rock (the last active volcano here took place over 10,000 years ago).\r\n\r\nThe hiking was very slow and consistent, as they say in Swahili, “Poli, Poli.” Again I felt very good when arriving at Moir camp at 13,500 feet. We had beautiful views of the mountain as the clouds moved away. It was really spectacular!\r\n<h3>Day Four Hike</h3>\r\n<img class=\"alignleft\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/klimanjaro-2.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"170\" height=\"226\" /><img class=\"alignleft\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Kilihiking15000-4.jpg\" width=\"423\" height=\"238\" />\r\n\r\nWe woke up again at 6:30 AM, had breakfast at 7 and were hiking by 7:30. Today was a shorter hike of only 3.1 miles, but we did climb 2000 feet. It was slow in some parts and the steep sections were even slower. Finally, we arrived at camp after hiking for only 2 hours and 20 minutes. We were now at 15,500 feet. The air is very thin, so with every step you take you to think about it. But when we arrived at camp, everything seemed to settle down. During the afternoon there was a hale storm that turned into snow, so everybody went into their tents. I probably took a 3-hour well-needed nap. After a good dinner, we all went to bed, but not until we viewed the beautiful skies at 15,500 feet in the southern hemisphere.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/Kili-Hiking-to-15000-feet\"><strong>See Photos</strong></a></p>\r\n\r\n<h3>Day Five Hike</h3>\r\n<img class=\"alignleft\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/klimanjaro-3.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"128\" height=\"170\" />\r\n\r\nWe had the usual wake-up call at 6:30 AM and were on the road by 7:30. It snowed during the night, but only half an inch or so, making everything white and beautiful. The good news is this meant it was right around 32 degrees. The sun came out, so it was warm when we hiked but a little bit cooler when clouds were overhead. Plus with the altitude (lots of breathing) and hiking effort, one was rarely cold. Today\'s hike was only one thousand feet of climbing and a short hike to the base camp. The big hike tomorrow will only be about an hour and 20 minutes, but it will be over a lot of rocks and boulders and will be steep in some places. We arrived at the base camp around\r\n10:30 - 11 in the morning. We were supposed to go for a short hike from there without our packs but it started snowing for over an hour, so that was canceled. Tomorrow morning, we will have a 4 AM wake-up call in anticipation of a 2,300-foot elevation climb up to18,650 feet.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<h3>Day Six Hike</h3>\r\n<img class=\"alignleft\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/16500-18400-12.jpg\" /><img class=\"alignright\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/16500-18400-13.jpg\" />\r\n\r\nWake-up call at 4 AM and breakfast at 4:30. The slow group left at 5. We (my hiking partner, myself and our guide) left about 5:30. At this altitude of over 16,000 feet, everyone moves very slowly. The first little part was steep and slightly snow-covered, but then it got extremely steep and no longer covered in snow. We climbed 2,400 feet over 2.6 miles. The first hour was in the dark, but we all had headlamps. It was very rocky and we had to use our hands sometimes to climb. We ran into a few other tours on the trail and all of us had to cut across a mountainside since the snow had obliterated the trail the night before. We were now over 17, 000 feet. One of the guides from another tour (all the guides know each other) had a pickaxe and so he chopped thru the snow to make it easier on our footing. Even so, it was very slippery. There were times we had to use all four extremities to climb, even kneeling on the next step up because the step was too high to reach with our foot. Breathing was becoming more and more labored and it was difficult to catch our breath in the thinning air. When we stopped at 18,000 feet for a snack and water, we thought the worst was over, but that wasn’t the case. The next 500 feet were very rocky and slippery, and that along with the very thin air meant we had to take three or four steps before needing to stop for a break. Like having a bag over your head and pulling for each breath. Finally, we reached the craters ridge and were very happy. These are remnants of glaciers that once covered this entire valley. The whole valley was snow-covered and looked like we were walking in a desert. When we arrived, we were not allowed to lie down in our tents for about a good hour because we needed to let our bodies acclimate to the thin air at 18,600 feet. After that, we enjoyed a well-deserved nap before an early dinner because we would be getting up again at 4 AM to <em>climb to the top of Kilimanjaro!</em>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/16-500-feet-to-18-400\"><strong>See Photos</strong></a></p>\r\n\r\n<h2>Day Seven Hike</h2>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_2282\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"397\"]<img class=\"size-full wp-image-2282\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/summit-19341-7.jpg\" alt=\"Summit 19,341 (7)\" width=\"397\" height=\"310\" /> Summit 19,341[/caption]\r\n\r\nThe night was extremely cold, with ground temperatures probably down to zero degrees Fahrenheit. We did everything to keep ourselves warm! I laid my down jacket on top of my sleeping bag (which was rated to zero degrees), plus I had a liner inside the sleeping bag which gave me an additional 25 degrees of warmth. I am definitely not a cold weather person but with the right gear, it was not too bad.\r\nWe were woken up at 4 AM. After eating and packing our stuff ( only our personal things; the Sherpa took care of the sleeping bag and tent each morning and night, we were off for a 75-minute climb, basically straight up and extremely cold. Fortunately, I had bought the best mittens ever and my hands were not cold. Nonetheless, my legs and face took the brunt of it, and we moved very, very slowly. 10 feet could take several minutes. After a very hard, straight-up climbing, we had to cross a flat plane to the actual top of the mountain. The wind was blowing like crazy. The air temp was around minus 10 Fahrenheit with the wind chill probably down to negative 45 or 50 Fahrenheit. But all 6 of us had made it. It was a special feeling…an unbelievable feeling!\r\n\r\nI always carry some ashes of my parents no matter where I travel in this world. And since this was a very special place, I quietly said a prayer, took off my mittens (brrr) and sprinkled some of their ashes at the top. They had made it the whole way with me!\r\n\r\nWe took our pictures and then had to get going due to the intense winds and brutal cold. Fortunately, we summited very early and there were only one or two other groups at the top. Later on, there would be at least 50-100 people. We saw a gorgeous sunrise since it was only about 7 in the morning. We were almost on the equator, and sunrise and sunsets are always at around 6:30 without much variation from season to season.\r\nImmediately, once we started to go down, we could feel the release of pressure in our lungs and chest. The descent and decreasing pressure made it a lot easier on our lungs, plus it was now all downhill. After an hour or two our quads really felt it, and we would be walking downhill for the next 5 to 6 hours!\r\nWe did stop for a small break for some lunch, but our appetite was low due to altitude. Several of the hikers experienced altitude sickness on the way up, with nausea, diarrhea, headaches loss of appetite and weakness. But it was worse for me while descending, but fortunately, I had only lost my appetite with slight nausea and it lasted only for a short period of time.. Anyway, we finally made it to camp at 10,500 feet. The weather was really nice and a bit warmer, between about 45 to 50 degrees or more. What a difference from the night before! We all had a good meal and rested, as we had been hiking downhill for over 8 hours, and all of our legs were extremely tired.\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/Hiking-to-the-summit-19-341-feet\"><strong>See Photos</strong></a></p>\r\n\r\n<h3>Day Eight Hike</h3>\r\n<img class=\"alignright\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Sunriseuptop-3.jpg\" />\r\n\r\nWe woke up at 6:30 AM, which was a big difference from 4 AM. Today would be our last night, and we would be saying goodbye to all the Sherpas and guides. Only the guides would continue with us. I volunteered to be the spokesperson of the group, which meant I would be collecting the tip money and giving a short speech.\r\n\r\nAfter breakfast, the 40 or so sherpas gathered around singing and dancing. I actually joined them in the dancing, which I have a video of. I was very tired, but it was still worth it. I gave a 3-minute speech thanking every one of them for all of their hard work and dedication, and telling them that their help, whether by carrying a table, carrying sleeping bags, setting up tents, preparing food and everything else they did for us, was all very special and helped us so much.\r\n\r\nWe then set off for our last 6 to 7-hour hike downhill. Although it was not very steep, it was a dried-up river bed that were full of rocks and stones, making footing uneasy, and causing our quads to be even more on fire. But we knew the end was coming, so we just kept going. We stopped for lunch and continued on. After about 7 hours, we saw the base camp. Nothing could be sweeter! I signed out at the Ranger station and basically collapsed into the waiting truck. There were a lot of campers and hikers ending in this same area, so they drove us about 20 minutes away.\r\n\r\nWe had some lunch and then drove the rest of the way back to the lodge, which was a beautiful hotel about half an hour outside of Arusha on an old coffee plantation. Everybody had their own cabin. For the first time in 9 days, I took a shower. It was wonderful! Then we all gathered with the two guides and I said a few more words to represent the group. We had a nice dinner, and then two people left for the airport by 7 PM. That night, was my first night of sleep in a bed, after 9 days. It was fantastic! The mission was accomplished!\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/Sunrise-up-top-and-heading-down\"><strong>See Photos</strong></a>\r\n<h2>Postscript of My Kilimanjaro Climb</h2>\r\n<img class=\"size-full wp-image-2213\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/klimanjaro-5.jpg\" alt=\"Klimanjaro (5)\" width=\"128\" height=\"128\" />\r\n\r\nEven though the trip was not exactly as described in the pamphlet, it was something I had had on my bucket list for over 10 years. It was extremely difficult at times. Some of our hikers had difficulty even moving and needed assistance. But we all persevered. I\'ve done 10 Ironman races so far (now 11!), which require monumental training. But the long hike up to the crater from 16,800 feet to 18,400, with the subsequent day of summiting, followed by the 9,000-foot descent, were some of the hardest things that I\'ve ever done. And that includes all my Ironman competitions.\r\n\r\nYou just can\'t imagine what it\'s like trying to move at that altitude. As I said before, it is similar to having a paper bag over your head and trying to grasp for air. There were times I took two or three steps and then had to pause for 15 or 20 seconds just to get my heart rate and breathing back down, repeating that again and again and again. Never looking ahead, only down, because sometimes ten feet took 45-60 seconds to cross. All this while enduring the sub-freezing temperature, the blowing snow, and the wind chill factors. Nothing but grit and determination to keep you going. But the views were spectacular and the feeling of being literally on top of the world made it all worth it.\r\n\r\nI\'ll continue to enjoy my Ironman triathlons and continue to do them as long as I can. But as far as hiking up a mountain to 19,341 feet, this will be my one and only time! It\'s a tremendous accomplishment, but something I would not want to repeat.\r\n\r\n<img class=\"aligncenter\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/final-goodbyes-1.jpg\" />\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/Final-goodbyes-and-certificates\"><strong>See Photos</strong></a></p>\r\n\r\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\">Post Postscript</h2>\r\nThank you to everyone that sent me well wishes before, during, and after my climb. It meant so much!\r\n\r\nI also thank my parents who gave me the will and determination to achieve all the goals in my life, no matter how hard they are.\r\nThey always ingrained this determination in me and encouraged me to just put my head down and keep going to achieve my goals.\r\nAs I said above, they were with me the whole way and always will be.\r\n\r\nThank you for taking the time to read this. I hope this will inspire you that if a goal is desired, to just put your head down and keep going no matter how difficult it may seem.\r\n\r\n<strong>Peter A. Fields, MD, DC </strong>\r\n<strong>The Athletic Doc<sup>®</sup></strong>','Report of My Kilimanjaro Climb','','inherit','closed','closed','','2208-revision-v1','','','2021-08-27 18:53:00','2021-08-27 18:53:00','',2208,'https://www.drfields.com/?p=4847',0,'revision','',0),(4848,9,'2021-08-27 18:54:35','2021-08-27 18:54:35','<h1>Report of My Kilimanjaro Climb (late by two years!)</h1>\r\n<em>By Peter A. Fields, MD, DC</em>\r\n\r\nAfter waiting ten years with this on my bucket list, I finally was going to climb Kilimanjaro.\r\n<h3>Getting to Mount Kilimanjaro</h3>\r\n<img class=\"alignleft\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/klimanjaro-8.jpg\" alt=\"\" />\r\n\r\nFirst an 11-hour flight to London where I had a 36-hour layover. Saw \"Tina, The Musical\" (life and times of Tina Truner). Great show.  Then 9 ½ hour flight to Nairobi, where I spent 24 hours so I was able to see the city. Then a one-hour flight to Kilimanjaro, Tanzania. My arrival at Kilimanjaro airport was on Sunday night. This was followed by a two-and-a-half-hour ride, with half of it on a very bumpy dirt road, before reaching the destination at the base camp. Since it was almost midnight, I went straight to my tent, which was quite luxurious for camping, and included a sink, a bathroom, and even a shower. I took advantage of a quick shower and went straight to bed.\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/Day-1-Kiliminaro-and-base-camp-arrival\"><strong>See Photos</strong></a></p>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<h3>Pre-Climb Hike</h3>\r\n<img class=\"alignleft\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/klimanjaro-9.jpg\" alt=\"\" />\r\n\r\nAfter a nice breakfast, where I met the other climbers and our trek leaders, we went for a short two-hour hike just to see the local terrain. It was beautiful, with waterfalls and lots of lush plants and greenery. The guide leader went through our entire pack to make sure that we would be taking everything we needed and that everything was in good shape. The rest of the day was just spent relaxing, except for a short sunset hike of 10 minutes, where at the top of the small hill they had wine waiting for us. A pleasant surprise.\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/Finally-hiking\"><strong>See Photos</strong></a></p>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<h3>First Day Hike</h3>\r\n<img class=\"alignleft\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/killi-trailhead-4.jpg\" /><img class=\"alignleft\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/killi-trailhead-3.jpg\" /><img class=\"alignleft\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/killi-trailhead-2.jpg\" />\r\n\r\nAfter a two-hour ride, we arrived at the check-in point. The weather was hot enough to wear shorts and t-shirts since we were only 3 degrees off the equator. There we saw the more than 45 plus Sherpa’s that would accompany us. There were six Sherpa’s( there were six hikers) to carry each person\'s clothing (colder weather gear, nighttime clothes, toiletries, etc.). Then six to carry our bedding, and tents ( double roofed for better rain protection), six would carry our food for 7 days ( three full meals a day), eight of them made up the kitchen team, another team of two would carry the oxygen and medicine, four to carry the toilets and tents over them, plus about 10 other Sherpa’s would carry all the tents, tables and chairs. There were also 10 more to carry all of the sherpa’s food and equipment.\r\n\r\nWe had to register and show our passports, and after that, we took a short 20-minute drive to the trailhead. Arriving at noon, a very nice, well-prepared lunch was ready for us. We started the hike at 7700 feet and climbed to 9300 feet. The area was mostly jungle-like, with a lot of fantastic plants, birds and other exotic wildlife, including Colobus monkeys and other animals. When we arrived at the camp at 9300 feet, the tents were already set up, and we unpacked our gear in each individual tent, had dinner, and went to sleep.\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/Kili-Getting-to-the-trailhead\"><strong>See Photos</strong></a></p>\r\n\r\n<h3>Second Day Hike</h3>\r\nAt 6:30 AM we were woken up with a hot bowl of water to wash up and get ready for the day. A very full breakfast was prepared for us and then we started off to hike again. For hiking, it’s important to eat three square meals a day as well as drink a minimum of three liters of water a day. Without this exhaustion, dehydration, and more can happen. The guides made sure that we would eat a lot and consume lots of water.\r\n\r\nWe headed off on our hike up to 11,400 feet, crossing from the Montane Forest into the Hagenia Zone, where we saw many different plants and beautiful trees throughout the canyon.\r\n\r\nI felt pretty good, as I had taken Diamox, a medicine to help prevent altitude sickness. I had a Camelback-style drinking system so I was drinking copious amounts of water. At night it was cold but with the proper gear (well worth the expense!), I felt warm.\r\n<h3>Day Three Hike</h3>\r\nWe had another early wake-up call today and another substantial breakfast (scrambled eggs, toast, pancakes, fruit, toast, jelly, peanut butter, tea/coffee, and more. We hiked across a large plateau and gained about 2,100 feet in altitude. It was very interesting as we passed into the upper heath zone, where there were no more trees here, just a lot of different plants. And lots of volcanic rock (the last active volcano here took place over 10,000 years ago).\r\n\r\nThe hiking was very slow and consistent, as they say in Swahili, “Poli, Poli.” Again I felt very good when arriving at Moir camp at 13,500 feet. We had beautiful views of the mountain as the clouds moved away. It was really spectacular!\r\n<h3>Day Four Hike</h3>\r\n<img class=\"alignleft\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/klimanjaro-2.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"170\" height=\"226\" /><img class=\"alignleft\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Kilihiking15000-4.jpg\" width=\"423\" height=\"238\" />\r\n\r\nWe woke up again at 6:30 AM, had breakfast at 7 and were hiking by 7:30. Today was a shorter hike of only 3.1 miles, but we did climb 2000 feet. It was slow in some parts and the steep sections were even slower. Finally, we arrived at camp after hiking for only 2 hours and 20 minutes. We were now at 15,500 feet. The air is very thin, so with every step you take you to think about it. But when we arrived at camp, everything seemed to settle down. During the afternoon there was a hale storm that turned into snow, so everybody went into their tents. I probably took a 3-hour well-needed nap. After a good dinner, we all went to bed, but not until we viewed the beautiful skies at 15,500 feet in the southern hemisphere.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/Kili-Hiking-to-15000-feet\"><strong>See Photos</strong></a></p>\r\n\r\n<h3>Day Five Hike</h3>\r\n<img class=\"alignleft\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/klimanjaro-3.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"128\" height=\"170\" />\r\n\r\nWe had the usual wake-up call at 6:30 AM and were on the road by 7:30. It snowed during the night, but only half an inch or so, making everything white and beautiful. The good news is this meant it was right around 32 degrees. The sun came out, so it was warm when we hiked but a little bit cooler when clouds were overhead. Plus with the altitude (lots of breathing) and hiking effort, one was rarely cold. Today\'s hike was only one thousand feet of climbing and a short hike to the base camp. The big hike tomorrow will only be about an hour and 20 minutes, but it will be over a lot of rocks and boulders and will be steep in some places. We arrived at the base camp around\r\n10:30 - 11 in the morning. We were supposed to go for a short hike from there without our packs but it started snowing for over an hour, so that was canceled. Tomorrow morning, we will have a 4 AM wake-up call in anticipation of a 2,300-foot elevation climb up to18,650 feet.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<h3>Day Six Hike</h3>\r\n<img class=\"alignleft\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/16500-18400-12.jpg\" /><img class=\"alignright\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/16500-18400-13.jpg\" />\r\n\r\nWake-up call at 4 AM and breakfast at 4:30. The slow group left at 5. We (my hiking partner, myself and our guide) left about 5:30. At this altitude of over 16,000 feet, everyone moves very slowly. The first little part was steep and slightly snow-covered, but then it got extremely steep and no longer covered in snow. We climbed 2,400 feet over 2.6 miles. The first hour was in the dark, but we all had headlamps. It was very rocky and we had to use our hands sometimes to climb. We ran into a few other tours on the trail and all of us had to cut across a mountainside since the snow had obliterated the trail the night before. We were now over 17, 000 feet. One of the guides from another tour (all the guides know each other) had a pickaxe and so he chopped thru the snow to make it easier on our footing. Even so, it was very slippery. There were times we had to use all four extremities to climb, even kneeling on the next step up because the step was too high to reach with our foot. Breathing was becoming more and more labored and it was difficult to catch our breath in the thinning air. When we stopped at 18,000 feet for a snack and water, we thought the worst was over, but that wasn’t the case. The next 500 feet were very rocky and slippery, and that along with the very thin air meant we had to take three or four steps before needing to stop for a break. Like having a bag over your head and pulling for each breath. Finally, we reached the craters ridge and were very happy. These are remnants of glaciers that once covered this entire valley. The whole valley was snow-covered and looked like we were walking in a desert. When we arrived, we were not allowed to lie down in our tents for about a good hour because we needed to let our bodies acclimate to the thin air at 18,600 feet. After that, we enjoyed a well-deserved nap before an early dinner because we would be getting up again at 4 AM to <em>climb to the top of Kilimanjaro!</em>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/16-500-feet-to-18-400\"><strong>See Photos</strong></a></p>\r\n\r\n<h2>Day Seven Hike</h2>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_2282\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"397\"]<img class=\"size-full wp-image-2282\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/summit-19341-7.jpg\" alt=\"Summit 19,341 (7)\" width=\"397\" height=\"310\" /> Summit 19,341[/caption]\r\n\r\nThe night was extremely cold, with ground temperatures probably down to zero degrees Fahrenheit. We did everything to keep ourselves warm! I laid my down jacket on top of my sleeping bag (which was rated to zero degrees), plus I had a liner inside the sleeping bag which gave me an additional 25 degrees of warmth. I am definitely not a cold weather person but with the right gear, it was not too bad.\r\nWe were woken up at 4 AM. After eating and packing our stuff ( only our personal things; the Sherpa took care of the sleeping bag and tent each morning and night, we were off for a 75-minute climb, basically straight up and extremely cold. Fortunately, I had bought the best mittens ever and my hands were not cold. Nonetheless, my legs and face took the brunt of it, and we moved very, very slowly. 10 feet could take several minutes. After a very hard, straight-up climbing, we had to cross a flat plane to the actual top of the mountain. The wind was blowing like crazy. The air temp was around minus 10 Fahrenheit with the wind chill probably down to negative 45 or 50 Fahrenheit. But all 6 of us had made it. It was a special feeling…an unbelievable feeling!\r\n\r\nI always carry some ashes of my parents no matter where I travel in this world. And since this was a very special place, I quietly said a prayer, took off my mittens (brrr) and sprinkled some of their ashes at the top. They had made it the whole way with me!\r\n\r\nWe took our pictures and then had to get going due to the intense winds and brutal cold. Fortunately, we summited very early and there were only one or two other groups at the top. Later on, there would be at least 50-100 people. We saw a gorgeous sunrise since it was only about 7 in the morning. We were almost on the equator, and sunrise and sunsets are always at around 6:30 without much variation from season to season.\r\nImmediately, once we started to go down, we could feel the release of pressure in our lungs and chest. The descent and decreasing pressure made it a lot easier on our lungs, plus it was now all downhill. After an hour or two our quads really felt it, and we would be walking downhill for the next 5 to 6 hours!\r\nWe did stop for a small break for some lunch, but our appetite was low due to altitude. Several of the hikers experienced altitude sickness on the way up, with nausea, diarrhea, headaches loss of appetite and weakness. But it was worse for me while descending, but fortunately, I had only lost my appetite with slight nausea and it lasted only for a short period of time.. Anyway, we finally made it to camp at 10,500 feet. The weather was really nice and a bit warmer, between about 45 to 50 degrees or more. What a difference from the night before! We all had a good meal and rested, as we had been hiking downhill for over 8 hours, and all of our legs were extremely tired.\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/Hiking-to-the-summit-19-341-feet\"><strong>See Photos</strong></a></p>\r\n\r\n<h3>Day Eight Hike</h3>\r\n<img class=\"alignright\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Sunriseuptop-3.jpg\" />\r\n\r\nWe woke up at 6:30 AM, which was a big difference from 4 AM. Today would be our last night, and we would be saying goodbye to all the Sherpas and guides. Only the guides would continue with us. I volunteered to be the spokesperson of the group, which meant I would be collecting the tip money and giving a short speech.\r\n\r\nAfter breakfast, the 40 or so sherpas gathered around singing and dancing. I actually joined them in the dancing, which I have a video of. I was very tired, but it was still worth it. I gave a 3-minute speech thanking every one of them for all of their hard work and dedication, and telling them that their help, whether by carrying a table, carrying sleeping bags, setting up tents, preparing food and everything else they did for us, was all very special and helped us so much.\r\n\r\nWe then set off for our last 6 to 7-hour hike downhill. Although it was not very steep, it was a dried-up river bed that were full of rocks and stones, making footing uneasy, and causing our quads to be even more on fire. But we knew the end was coming, so we just kept going. We stopped for lunch and continued on. After about 7 hours, we saw the base camp. Nothing could be sweeter! I signed out at the Ranger station and basically collapsed into the waiting truck. There were a lot of campers and hikers ending in this same area, so they drove us about 20 minutes away.\r\n\r\nWe had some lunch and then drove the rest of the way back to the lodge, which was a beautiful hotel about half an hour outside of Arusha on an old coffee plantation. Everybody had their own cabin. For the first time in 9 days, I took a shower. It was wonderful! Then we all gathered with the two guides and I said a few more words to represent the group. We had a nice dinner, and then two people left for the airport by 7 PM. That night, was my first night of sleep in a bed, after 9 days. It was fantastic! The mission was accomplished!\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/Sunrise-up-top-and-heading-down\"><strong>See Photos</strong></a>\r\n<h2>Postscript of My Kilimanjaro Climb</h2>\r\n<img class=\"size-full wp-image-2213\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/klimanjaro-5.jpg\" alt=\"Klimanjaro (5)\" width=\"128\" height=\"128\" />\r\n\r\nEven though the trip was not exactly as described in the pamphlet, it was something I had had on my bucket list for over 10 years. It was extremely difficult at times. Some of our hikers had difficulty even moving and needed assistance. But we all persevered. I\'ve done 10 Ironman races so far (now 11!), which require monumental training. But the long hike up to the crater from 16,800 feet to 18,400, with the subsequent day of summiting, followed by the 9,000-foot descent, were some of the hardest things that I\'ve ever done. And that includes all my Ironman competitions.\r\n\r\nYou just can\'t imagine what it\'s like trying to move at that altitude. As I said before, it is similar to having a paper bag over your head and trying to grasp for air. There were times I took two or three steps and then had to pause for 15 or 20 seconds just to get my heart rate and breathing back down, repeating that again and again and again. Never looking ahead, only down, because sometimes ten feet took 45-60 seconds to cross. All this while enduring the sub-freezing temperature, the blowing snow, and the wind chill factors. Nothing but grit and determination to keep you going. But the views were spectacular and the feeling of being literally on top of the world made it all worth it.\r\n\r\nI\'ll continue to enjoy my Ironman triathlons and continue to do them as long as I can. But as far as hiking up a mountain to 19,341 feet, this will be my one and only time! It\'s a tremendous accomplishment, but something I would not want to repeat.\r\n\r\n<img class=\"aligncenter\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/final-goodbyes-1.jpg\" />\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/Final-goodbyes-and-certificates\"><strong>See Photos</strong></a></p>\r\n\r\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\">Thank You to Everyone Who Made Kilimanjaro A Possibility!</h3>\r\nThank you to everyone that sent me well wishes before, during, and after my climb. It meant so much!\r\n\r\nI also thank my parents who gave me the will and determination to achieve all the goals in my life, no matter how hard they are.\r\nThey always ingrained this determination in me and encouraged me to just put my head down and keep going to achieve my goals.\r\nAs I said above, they were with me the whole way and always will be.\r\n\r\nThank you for taking the time to read this. I hope this will inspire you that if a goal is desired, to just put your head down and keep going no matter how difficult it may seem.\r\n\r\n<strong>Peter A. Fields, MD, DC </strong>\r\n<strong>The Athletic Doc<sup>®</sup></strong>','Report of My Kilimanjaro Climb','','inherit','closed','closed','','2208-revision-v1','','','2021-08-27 18:54:35','2021-08-27 18:54:35','',2208,'https://www.drfields.com/?p=4848',0,'revision','',0),(4849,9,'2021-08-27 18:55:07','2021-08-27 18:55:07','<h1>Report of My Kilimanjaro Climb (late by two years!)</h1>\r\n<em>By Peter A. Fields, MD, DC</em>\r\n\r\nAfter waiting ten years with this on my bucket list, I finally was going to climb Kilimanjaro.\r\n<h3>Getting to Mount Kilimanjaro</h3>\r\n<img class=\"alignleft\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/klimanjaro-8.jpg\" alt=\"\" />\r\n\r\nFirst an 11-hour flight to London where I had a 36-hour layover. Saw \"Tina, The Musical\" (life and times of Tina Truner). Great show.  Then 9 ½ hour flight to Nairobi, where I spent 24 hours so I was able to see the city. Then a one-hour flight to Kilimanjaro, Tanzania. My arrival at Kilimanjaro airport was on Sunday night. This was followed by a two-and-a-half-hour ride, with half of it on a very bumpy dirt road, before reaching the destination at the base camp. Since it was almost midnight, I went straight to my tent, which was quite luxurious for camping, and included a sink, a bathroom, and even a shower. I took advantage of a quick shower and went straight to bed.\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/Day-1-Kiliminaro-and-base-camp-arrival\"><strong>See Photos</strong></a></p>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<h3>Pre-Climb Hike</h3>\r\n<img class=\"alignleft\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/klimanjaro-9.jpg\" alt=\"\" />\r\n\r\nAfter a nice breakfast, where I met the other climbers and our trek leaders, we went for a short two-hour hike just to see the local terrain. It was beautiful, with waterfalls and lots of lush plants and greenery. The guide leader went through our entire pack to make sure that we would be taking everything we needed and that everything was in good shape. The rest of the day was just spent relaxing, except for a short sunset hike of 10 minutes, where at the top of the small hill they had wine waiting for us. A pleasant surprise.\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/Finally-hiking\"><strong>See Photos</strong></a></p>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<h3>First Day Hike Towards Kilimanjaro</h3>\r\n<img class=\"alignleft\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/killi-trailhead-4.jpg\" /><img class=\"alignleft\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/killi-trailhead-3.jpg\" /><img class=\"alignleft\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/killi-trailhead-2.jpg\" />\r\n\r\nAfter a two-hour ride, we arrived at the check-in point. The weather was hot enough to wear shorts and t-shirts since we were only 3 degrees off the equator. There we saw the more than 45 plus Sherpa’s that would accompany us. There were six Sherpa’s( there were six hikers) to carry each person\'s clothing (colder weather gear, nighttime clothes, toiletries, etc.). Then six to carry our bedding, and tents ( double roofed for better rain protection), six would carry our food for 7 days ( three full meals a day), eight of them made up the kitchen team, another team of two would carry the oxygen and medicine, four to carry the toilets and tents over them, plus about 10 other Sherpa’s would carry all the tents, tables and chairs. There were also 10 more to carry all of the sherpa’s food and equipment.\r\n\r\nWe had to register and show our passports, and after that, we took a short 20-minute drive to the trailhead. Arriving at noon, a very nice, well-prepared lunch was ready for us. We started the hike at 7700 feet and climbed to 9300 feet. The area was mostly jungle-like, with a lot of fantastic plants, birds and other exotic wildlife, including Colobus monkeys and other animals. When we arrived at the camp at 9300 feet, the tents were already set up, and we unpacked our gear in each individual tent, had dinner, and went to sleep.\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/Kili-Getting-to-the-trailhead\"><strong>See Photos</strong></a></p>\r\n\r\n<h3>Second Day Hike</h3>\r\nAt 6:30 AM we were woken up with a hot bowl of water to wash up and get ready for the day. A very full breakfast was prepared for us and then we started off to hike again. For hiking, it’s important to eat three square meals a day as well as drink a minimum of three liters of water a day. Without this exhaustion, dehydration, and more can happen. The guides made sure that we would eat a lot and consume lots of water.\r\n\r\nWe headed off on our hike up to 11,400 feet, crossing from the Montane Forest into the Hagenia Zone, where we saw many different plants and beautiful trees throughout the canyon.\r\n\r\nI felt pretty good, as I had taken Diamox, a medicine to help prevent altitude sickness. I had a Camelback-style drinking system so I was drinking copious amounts of water. At night it was cold but with the proper gear (well worth the expense!), I felt warm.\r\n<h3>Day Three Hike</h3>\r\nWe had another early wake-up call today and another substantial breakfast (scrambled eggs, toast, pancakes, fruit, toast, jelly, peanut butter, tea/coffee, and more. We hiked across a large plateau and gained about 2,100 feet in altitude. It was very interesting as we passed into the upper heath zone, where there were no more trees here, just a lot of different plants. And lots of volcanic rock (the last active volcano here took place over 10,000 years ago).\r\n\r\nThe hiking was very slow and consistent, as they say in Swahili, “Poli, Poli.” Again I felt very good when arriving at Moir camp at 13,500 feet. We had beautiful views of the mountain as the clouds moved away. It was really spectacular!\r\n<h3>Day Four Hike</h3>\r\n<img class=\"alignleft\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/klimanjaro-2.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"170\" height=\"226\" /><img class=\"alignleft\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Kilihiking15000-4.jpg\" width=\"423\" height=\"238\" />\r\n\r\nWe woke up again at 6:30 AM, had breakfast at 7 and were hiking by 7:30. Today was a shorter hike of only 3.1 miles, but we did climb 2000 feet. It was slow in some parts and the steep sections were even slower. Finally, we arrived at camp after hiking for only 2 hours and 20 minutes. We were now at 15,500 feet. The air is very thin, so with every step you take you to think about it. But when we arrived at camp, everything seemed to settle down. During the afternoon there was a hale storm that turned into snow, so everybody went into their tents. I probably took a 3-hour well-needed nap. After a good dinner, we all went to bed, but not until we viewed the beautiful skies at 15,500 feet in the southern hemisphere.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/Kili-Hiking-to-15000-feet\"><strong>See Photos</strong></a></p>\r\n\r\n<h3>Day Five Hike</h3>\r\n<img class=\"alignleft\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/klimanjaro-3.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"128\" height=\"170\" />\r\n\r\nWe had the usual wake-up call at 6:30 AM and were on the road by 7:30. It snowed during the night, but only half an inch or so, making everything white and beautiful. The good news is this meant it was right around 32 degrees. The sun came out, so it was warm when we hiked but a little bit cooler when clouds were overhead. Plus with the altitude (lots of breathing) and hiking effort, one was rarely cold. Today\'s hike was only one thousand feet of climbing and a short hike to the base camp. The big hike tomorrow will only be about an hour and 20 minutes, but it will be over a lot of rocks and boulders and will be steep in some places. We arrived at the base camp around\r\n10:30 - 11 in the morning. We were supposed to go for a short hike from there without our packs but it started snowing for over an hour, so that was canceled. Tomorrow morning, we will have a 4 AM wake-up call in anticipation of a 2,300-foot elevation climb up to18,650 feet.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<h3>Day Six Hike</h3>\r\n<img class=\"alignleft\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/16500-18400-12.jpg\" /><img class=\"alignright\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/16500-18400-13.jpg\" />\r\n\r\nWake-up call at 4 AM and breakfast at 4:30. The slow group left at 5. We (my hiking partner, myself and our guide) left about 5:30. At this altitude of over 16,000 feet, everyone moves very slowly. The first little part was steep and slightly snow-covered, but then it got extremely steep and no longer covered in snow. We climbed 2,400 feet over 2.6 miles. The first hour was in the dark, but we all had headlamps. It was very rocky and we had to use our hands sometimes to climb. We ran into a few other tours on the trail and all of us had to cut across a mountainside since the snow had obliterated the trail the night before. We were now over 17, 000 feet. One of the guides from another tour (all the guides know each other) had a pickaxe and so he chopped thru the snow to make it easier on our footing. Even so, it was very slippery. There were times we had to use all four extremities to climb, even kneeling on the next step up because the step was too high to reach with our foot. Breathing was becoming more and more labored and it was difficult to catch our breath in the thinning air. When we stopped at 18,000 feet for a snack and water, we thought the worst was over, but that wasn’t the case. The next 500 feet were very rocky and slippery, and that along with the very thin air meant we had to take three or four steps before needing to stop for a break. Like having a bag over your head and pulling for each breath. Finally, we reached the craters ridge and were very happy. These are remnants of glaciers that once covered this entire valley. The whole valley was snow-covered and looked like we were walking in a desert. When we arrived, we were not allowed to lie down in our tents for about a good hour because we needed to let our bodies acclimate to the thin air at 18,600 feet. After that, we enjoyed a well-deserved nap before an early dinner because we would be getting up again at 4 AM to <em>climb to the top of Kilimanjaro!</em>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/16-500-feet-to-18-400\"><strong>See Photos</strong></a></p>\r\n\r\n<h2>Day Seven Hike</h2>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_2282\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"397\"]<img class=\"size-full wp-image-2282\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/summit-19341-7.jpg\" alt=\"Summit 19,341 (7)\" width=\"397\" height=\"310\" /> Summit 19,341[/caption]\r\n\r\nThe night was extremely cold, with ground temperatures probably down to zero degrees Fahrenheit. We did everything to keep ourselves warm! I laid my down jacket on top of my sleeping bag (which was rated to zero degrees), plus I had a liner inside the sleeping bag which gave me an additional 25 degrees of warmth. I am definitely not a cold weather person but with the right gear, it was not too bad.\r\nWe were woken up at 4 AM. After eating and packing our stuff ( only our personal things; the Sherpa took care of the sleeping bag and tent each morning and night, we were off for a 75-minute climb, basically straight up and extremely cold. Fortunately, I had bought the best mittens ever and my hands were not cold. Nonetheless, my legs and face took the brunt of it, and we moved very, very slowly. 10 feet could take several minutes. After a very hard, straight-up climbing, we had to cross a flat plane to the actual top of the mountain. The wind was blowing like crazy. The air temp was around minus 10 Fahrenheit with the wind chill probably down to negative 45 or 50 Fahrenheit. But all 6 of us had made it. It was a special feeling…an unbelievable feeling!\r\n\r\nI always carry some ashes of my parents no matter where I travel in this world. And since this was a very special place, I quietly said a prayer, took off my mittens (brrr) and sprinkled some of their ashes at the top. They had made it the whole way with me!\r\n\r\nWe took our pictures and then had to get going due to the intense winds and brutal cold. Fortunately, we summited very early and there were only one or two other groups at the top. Later on, there would be at least 50-100 people. We saw a gorgeous sunrise since it was only about 7 in the morning. We were almost on the equator, and sunrise and sunsets are always at around 6:30 without much variation from season to season.\r\nImmediately, once we started to go down, we could feel the release of pressure in our lungs and chest. The descent and decreasing pressure made it a lot easier on our lungs, plus it was now all downhill. After an hour or two our quads really felt it, and we would be walking downhill for the next 5 to 6 hours!\r\nWe did stop for a small break for some lunch, but our appetite was low due to altitude. Several of the hikers experienced altitude sickness on the way up, with nausea, diarrhea, headaches loss of appetite and weakness. But it was worse for me while descending, but fortunately, I had only lost my appetite with slight nausea and it lasted only for a short period of time.. Anyway, we finally made it to camp at 10,500 feet. The weather was really nice and a bit warmer, between about 45 to 50 degrees or more. What a difference from the night before! We all had a good meal and rested, as we had been hiking downhill for over 8 hours, and all of our legs were extremely tired.\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/Hiking-to-the-summit-19-341-feet\"><strong>See Photos</strong></a></p>\r\n\r\n<h3>Day Eight Hike</h3>\r\n<img class=\"alignright\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Sunriseuptop-3.jpg\" />\r\n\r\nWe woke up at 6:30 AM, which was a big difference from 4 AM. Today would be our last night, and we would be saying goodbye to all the Sherpas and guides. Only the guides would continue with us. I volunteered to be the spokesperson of the group, which meant I would be collecting the tip money and giving a short speech.\r\n\r\nAfter breakfast, the 40 or so sherpas gathered around singing and dancing. I actually joined them in the dancing, which I have a video of. I was very tired, but it was still worth it. I gave a 3-minute speech thanking every one of them for all of their hard work and dedication, and telling them that their help, whether by carrying a table, carrying sleeping bags, setting up tents, preparing food and everything else they did for us, was all very special and helped us so much.\r\n\r\nWe then set off for our last 6 to 7-hour hike downhill. Although it was not very steep, it was a dried-up river bed that were full of rocks and stones, making footing uneasy, and causing our quads to be even more on fire. But we knew the end was coming, so we just kept going. We stopped for lunch and continued on. After about 7 hours, we saw the base camp. Nothing could be sweeter! I signed out at the Ranger station and basically collapsed into the waiting truck. There were a lot of campers and hikers ending in this same area, so they drove us about 20 minutes away.\r\n\r\nWe had some lunch and then drove the rest of the way back to the lodge, which was a beautiful hotel about half an hour outside of Arusha on an old coffee plantation. Everybody had their own cabin. For the first time in 9 days, I took a shower. It was wonderful! Then we all gathered with the two guides and I said a few more words to represent the group. We had a nice dinner, and then two people left for the airport by 7 PM. That night, was my first night of sleep in a bed, after 9 days. It was fantastic! The mission was accomplished!\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/Sunrise-up-top-and-heading-down\"><strong>See Photos</strong></a>\r\n<h2>Postscript of My Kilimanjaro Climb</h2>\r\n<img class=\"size-full wp-image-2213\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/klimanjaro-5.jpg\" alt=\"Klimanjaro (5)\" width=\"128\" height=\"128\" />\r\n\r\nEven though the trip was not exactly as described in the pamphlet, it was something I had had on my bucket list for over 10 years. It was extremely difficult at times. Some of our hikers had difficulty even moving and needed assistance. But we all persevered. I\'ve done 10 Ironman races so far (now 11!), which require monumental training. But the long hike up to the crater from 16,800 feet to 18,400, with the subsequent day of summiting, followed by the 9,000-foot descent, were some of the hardest things that I\'ve ever done. And that includes all my Ironman competitions.\r\n\r\nYou just can\'t imagine what it\'s like trying to move at that altitude. As I said before, it is similar to having a paper bag over your head and trying to grasp for air. There were times I took two or three steps and then had to pause for 15 or 20 seconds just to get my heart rate and breathing back down, repeating that again and again and again. Never looking ahead, only down, because sometimes ten feet took 45-60 seconds to cross. All this while enduring the sub-freezing temperature, the blowing snow, and the wind chill factors. Nothing but grit and determination to keep you going. But the views were spectacular and the feeling of being literally on top of the world made it all worth it.\r\n\r\nI\'ll continue to enjoy my Ironman triathlons and continue to do them as long as I can. But as far as hiking up a mountain to 19,341 feet, this will be my one and only time! It\'s a tremendous accomplishment, but something I would not want to repeat.\r\n\r\n<img class=\"aligncenter\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/final-goodbyes-1.jpg\" />\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/Final-goodbyes-and-certificates\"><strong>See Photos</strong></a></p>\r\n\r\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\">Thank You to Everyone Who Made Kilimanjaro A Possibility!</h3>\r\nThank you to everyone that sent me well wishes before, during, and after my climb. It meant so much!\r\n\r\nI also thank my parents who gave me the will and determination to achieve all the goals in my life, no matter how hard they are.\r\nThey always ingrained this determination in me and encouraged me to just put my head down and keep going to achieve my goals.\r\nAs I said above, they were with me the whole way and always will be.\r\n\r\nThank you for taking the time to read this. I hope this will inspire you that if a goal is desired, to just put your head down and keep going no matter how difficult it may seem.\r\n\r\n<strong>Peter A. Fields, MD, DC </strong>\r\n<strong>The Athletic Doc<sup>®</sup></strong>','Report of My Kilimanjaro Climb','','inherit','closed','closed','','2208-revision-v1','','','2021-08-27 18:55:07','2021-08-27 18:55:07','',2208,'https://www.drfields.com/?p=4849',0,'revision','',0),(4850,9,'2021-08-27 18:57:16','2021-08-27 18:57:16','<h1>Report of My Kilimanjaro Climb (late by two years!)</h1>\r\n<em>By Peter A. Fields, MD, DC</em>\r\n\r\nAfter waiting ten years with this on my bucket list, I finally was going to climb Kilimanjaro.\r\n<h3>Getting to Mount Kilimanjaro</h3>\r\n<img class=\"alignleft\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/klimanjaro-8.jpg\" alt=\"\" />\r\n\r\nFirst an 11-hour flight to London where I had a 36-hour layover. Saw \"Tina, The Musical\" (life and times of Tina Truner). Great show.  Then 9 ½ hour flight to Nairobi, where I spent 24 hours so I was able to see the city. Then a one-hour flight to Kilimanjaro, Tanzania. My arrival at Kilimanjaro airport was on Sunday night. This was followed by a two-and-a-half-hour ride, with half of it on a very bumpy dirt road, before reaching the destination at the base camp. Since it was almost midnight, I went straight to my tent, which was quite luxurious for camping, and included a sink, a bathroom, and even a shower. I took advantage of a quick shower and went straight to bed.\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/Day-1-Kiliminaro-and-base-camp-arrival\"><strong>See Photos</strong></a></p>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<h3>Pre-Climb Hike</h3>\r\n<img class=\"alignleft\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/klimanjaro-9.jpg\" alt=\"\" />\r\n\r\nAfter a nice breakfast, where I met the other climbers and our trek leaders, we went for a short two-hour hike just to see the local terrain. It was beautiful, with waterfalls and lots of lush plants and greenery. The guide leader went through our entire pack to make sure that we would be taking everything we needed and that everything was in good shape. The rest of the day was just spent relaxing, except for a short sunset hike of 10 minutes, where at the top of the small hill they had wine waiting for us. A pleasant surprise.\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/Finally-hiking\"><strong>See Photos</strong></a></p>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<h3>First Day Hike Towards Kilimanjaro</h3>\r\n<img class=\"alignleft\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/killi-trailhead-4.jpg\" /><img class=\"alignleft\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/killi-trailhead-3.jpg\" /><img class=\"alignleft\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/killi-trailhead-2.jpg\" />\r\n\r\nAfter a two-hour ride, we arrived at the check-in point. The weather was hot enough to wear shorts and t-shirts since we were only 3 degrees off the equator. There we saw the more than 45 plus Sherpa’s that would accompany us. There were six Sherpa’s( there were six hikers) to carry each person\'s clothing (colder weather gear, nighttime clothes, toiletries, etc.). Then six to carry our bedding, and tents ( double roofed for better rain protection), six would carry our food for 7 days ( three full meals a day), eight of them made up the kitchen team, another team of two would carry the oxygen and medicine, four to carry the toilets and tents over them, plus about 10 other Sherpa’s would carry all the tents, tables and chairs. There were also 10 more to carry all of the sherpa’s food and equipment.\r\n\r\nWe had to register and show our passports, and after that, we took a short 20-minute drive to the trailhead. Arriving at noon, a very nice, well-prepared lunch was ready for us. We started the hike at 7700 feet and climbed to 9300 feet. The area was mostly jungle-like, with a lot of fantastic plants, birds and other exotic wildlife, including Colobus monkeys and other animals. When we arrived at the camp at 9300 feet, the tents were already set up, and we unpacked our gear in each individual tent, had dinner, and went to sleep.\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/Kili-Getting-to-the-trailhead\"><strong>See Photos</strong></a></p>\r\n\r\n<h3>Second Day Hike</h3>\r\nAt 6:30 AM we were woken up with a hot bowl of water to wash up and get ready for the day. A very full breakfast was prepared for us and then we started off to hike again. For hiking, it’s important to eat three square meals a day as well as drink a minimum of three liters of water a day. Without this exhaustion, dehydration, and more can happen. The guides made sure that we would eat a lot and consume lots of water.\r\n\r\nWe headed off on our hike up to 11,400 feet, crossing from the Montane Forest into the Hagenia Zone, where we saw many different plants and beautiful trees throughout the canyon.\r\n\r\nI felt pretty good, as I had taken Diamox, a medicine to help prevent altitude sickness. I had a Camelback-style drinking system so I was drinking copious amounts of water. At night it was cold but with the proper gear (well worth the expense!), I felt warm.\r\n<h3>Day Three Hike</h3>\r\nWe had another early wake-up call today and another substantial breakfast (scrambled eggs, toast, pancakes, fruit, toast, jelly, peanut butter, tea/coffee, and more. We hiked across a large plateau and gained about 2,100 feet in altitude. It was very interesting as we passed into the upper heath zone, where there were no more trees here, just a lot of different plants. And lots of volcanic rock (the last active volcano here took place over 10,000 years ago).\r\n\r\nThe hiking was very slow and consistent, as they say in Swahili, “Poli, Poli.” Again I felt very good when arriving at Moir camp at 13,500 feet. We had beautiful views of the mountain as the clouds moved away. It was really spectacular!\r\n<h3>Day Four Hike</h3>\r\n<img class=\"alignleft\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/klimanjaro-2.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"170\" height=\"226\" /><img class=\"alignleft\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Kilihiking15000-4.jpg\" width=\"423\" height=\"238\" />\r\n\r\nWe woke up again at 6:30 AM, had breakfast at 7 and were hiking by 7:30. Today was a shorter hike of only 3.1 miles, but we did climb 2000 feet. It was slow in some parts and the steep sections were even slower. Finally, we arrived at camp after hiking for only 2 hours and 20 minutes. We were now at 15,500 feet. The air is very thin, so with every step you take you to think about it. But when we arrived at camp, everything seemed to settle down. During the afternoon there was a hale storm that turned into snow, so everybody went into their tents. I probably took a 3-hour well-needed nap. After a good dinner, we all went to bed, but not until we viewed the beautiful skies at 15,500 feet in the southern hemisphere.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/Kili-Hiking-to-15000-feet\"><strong>See Photos</strong></a></p>\r\n\r\n<h3>Day Five Hike</h3>\r\n<img class=\"alignleft\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/klimanjaro-3.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"128\" height=\"170\" />\r\n\r\nWe had the usual wake-up call at 6:30 AM and were on the road by 7:30. It snowed during the night, but only half an inch or so, making everything white and beautiful. The good news is this meant it was right around 32 degrees. The sun came out, so it was warm when we hiked but a little bit cooler when clouds were overhead. Plus with the altitude (lots of breathing) and hiking effort, one was rarely cold. Today\'s hike was only one thousand feet of climbing and a short hike to the base camp. The big hike tomorrow will only be about an hour and 20 minutes, but it will be over a lot of rocks and boulders and will be steep in some places. We arrived at the base camp around\r\n10:30 - 11 in the morning. We were supposed to go for a short hike from there without our packs but it started snowing for over an hour, so that was canceled. Tomorrow morning, we will have a 4 AM wake-up call in anticipation of a 2,300-foot elevation climb up to18,650 feet.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<h3>Day Six Hike</h3>\r\n<img class=\"alignleft\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/16500-18400-12.jpg\" /><img class=\"alignright\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/16500-18400-13.jpg\" />\r\n\r\nWake-up call at 4 AM and breakfast at 4:30. The slow group left at 5. We (my hiking partner, myself and our guide) left about 5:30. At this altitude of over 16,000 feet, everyone moves very slowly. The first little part was steep and slightly snow-covered, but then it got extremely steep and no longer covered in snow. We climbed 2,400 feet over 2.6 miles. The first hour was in the dark, but we all had headlamps. It was very rocky and we had to use our hands sometimes to climb. We ran into a few other tours on the trail and all of us had to cut across a mountainside since the snow had obliterated the trail the night before. We were now over 17, 000 feet. One of the guides from another tour (all the guides know each other) had a pickaxe and so he chopped thru the snow to make it easier on our footing. Even so, it was very slippery. There were times we had to use all four extremities to climb, even kneeling on the next step up because the step was too high to reach with our foot. Breathing was becoming more and more labored and it was difficult to catch our breath in the thinning air. When we stopped at 18,000 feet for a snack and water, we thought the worst was over, but that wasn’t the case. The next 500 feet were very rocky and slippery, and that along with the very thin air meant we had to take three or four steps before needing to stop for a break. Like having a bag over your head and pulling for each breath. Finally, we reached the craters ridge and were very happy. These are remnants of glaciers that once covered this entire valley. The whole valley was snow-covered and looked like we were walking in a desert. When we arrived, we were not allowed to lie down in our tents for about a good hour because we needed to let our bodies acclimate to the thin air at 18,600 feet. After that, we enjoyed a well-deserved nap before an early dinner because we would be getting up again at 4 AM to <em>climb to the top of Kilimanjaro!</em>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/16-500-feet-to-18-400\"><strong>See Photos</strong></a></p>\r\n\r\n<h2>Day Seven Hike</h2>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_2282\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"397\"]<img class=\"size-full wp-image-2282\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/summit-19341-7.jpg\" alt=\"Summit 19,341 (7)\" width=\"397\" height=\"310\" /> Summit 19,341[/caption]\r\n\r\nThe night was extremely cold, with ground temperatures probably down to zero degrees Fahrenheit. We did everything to keep ourselves warm! I laid my down jacket on top of my sleeping bag (which was rated to zero degrees), plus I had a liner inside the sleeping bag which gave me an additional 25 degrees of warmth. I am definitely not a cold weather person but with the right gear, it was not too bad.\r\nWe were woken up at 4 AM. After eating and packing our stuff ( only our personal things; the Sherpa took care of the sleeping bag and tent each morning and night, we were off for a 75-minute climb, basically straight up and extremely cold. Fortunately, I had bought the best mittens ever and my hands were not cold. Nonetheless, my legs and face took the brunt of it, and we moved very, very slowly. 10 feet could take several minutes. After a very hard, straight-up climbing, we had to cross a flat plane to the actual top of the mountain. The wind was blowing like crazy. The air temp was around minus 10 Fahrenheit with the wind chill probably down to negative 45 or 50 Fahrenheit. But all 6 of us had made it. It was a special feeling…an unbelievable feeling!\r\n\r\nI always carry some ashes of my parents no matter where I travel in this world. And since this was a very special place, I quietly said a prayer, took off my mittens (brrr) and sprinkled some of their ashes at the top. They had made it the whole way with me!\r\n\r\nWe took our pictures and then had to get going due to the intense winds and brutal cold. Fortunately, we summited very early and there were only one or two other groups at the top. Later on, there would be at least 50-100 people. We saw a gorgeous sunrise since it was only about 7 in the morning. We were almost on the equator, and sunrise and sunsets are always at around 6:30 without much variation from season to season.\r\nImmediately, once we started to go down, we could feel the release of pressure in our lungs and chest. The descent and decreasing pressure made it a lot easier on our lungs, plus it was now all downhill. After an hour or two our quads really felt it, and we would be walking downhill for the next 5 to 6 hours!\r\nWe did stop for a small break for some lunch, but our appetite was low due to altitude. Several of the hikers experienced altitude sickness on the way up, with nausea, diarrhea, headaches loss of appetite and weakness. But it was worse for me while descending, but fortunately, I had only lost my appetite with slight nausea and it lasted only for a short period of time.. Anyway, we finally made it to camp at 10,500 feet. The weather was really nice and a bit warmer, between about 45 to 50 degrees or more. What a difference from the night before! We all had a good meal and rested, as we had been hiking downhill for over 8 hours, and all of our legs were extremely tired.\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/Hiking-to-the-summit-19-341-feet\"><strong>See Photos</strong></a></p>\r\n\r\n<h3>Day Eight Hike</h3>\r\n<img class=\"alignright\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Sunriseuptop-3.jpg\" />\r\n\r\nWe woke up at 6:30 AM, which was a big difference from 4 AM. Today would be our last night, and we would be saying goodbye to all the Sherpas and guides. Only the guides would continue with us. I volunteered to be the spokesperson of the group, which meant I would be collecting the tip money and giving a short speech.\r\n\r\nAfter breakfast, the 40 or so sherpas gathered around singing and dancing. I actually joined them in the dancing, which I have a video of. I was very tired, but it was still worth it. I gave a 3-minute speech thanking every one of them for all of their hard work and dedication, and telling them that their help, whether by carrying a table, carrying sleeping bags, setting up tents, preparing food and everything else they did for us, was all very special and helped us so much.\r\n\r\nWe then set off for our last 6 to 7-hour hike downhill. Although it was not very steep, it was a dried-up river bed that were full of rocks and stones, making footing uneasy, and causing our quads to be even more on fire. But we knew the end was coming, so we just kept going. We stopped for lunch and continued on. After about 7 hours, we saw the base camp. Nothing could be sweeter! I signed out at the Ranger station and basically collapsed into the waiting truck. There were a lot of campers and hikers ending in this same area, so they drove us about 20 minutes away.\r\n\r\nWe had some lunch and then drove the rest of the way back to the lodge, which was a beautiful hotel about half an hour outside of Arusha on an old coffee plantation. Everybody had their own cabin. For the first time in 9 days, I took a shower. It was wonderful! Then we all gathered with the two guides and I said a few more words to represent the group. We had a nice dinner, and then two people left for the airport by 7 PM. That night, was my first night of sleep in a bed, after 9 days. It was fantastic! The mission was accomplished!\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/Sunrise-up-top-and-heading-down\"><strong>See Photos</strong></a>\r\n<h2>Kilimanjaro Was Amazing!</h2>\r\n<img class=\"size-full wp-image-2213\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/klimanjaro-5.jpg\" alt=\"Klimanjaro (5)\" width=\"128\" height=\"128\" />\r\n\r\nEven though the trip was not exactly as described in the pamphlet, it was something I had had on my bucket list for over 10 years. It was extremely difficult at times. Some of our hikers had difficulty even moving and needed assistance. But we all persevered. I\'ve done 10 Ironman races so far (now 11!), which require monumental training. But the long hike up to the crater from 16,800 feet to 18,400, with the subsequent day of summiting, followed by the 9,000-foot descent, were some of the hardest things that I\'ve ever done. And that includes all my Ironman competitions.\r\n\r\nYou just can\'t imagine what it\'s like trying to move at that altitude. As I said before, it is similar to having a paper bag over your head and trying to grasp for air. There were times I took two or three steps and then had to pause for 15 or 20 seconds just to get my heart rate and breathing back down, repeating that again and again and again. Never looking ahead, only down, because sometimes ten feet took 45-60 seconds to cross. All this while enduring the sub-freezing temperature, the blowing snow, and the wind chill factors. Nothing but grit and determination to keep you going. But the views were spectacular and the feeling of being literally on top of the world made it all worth it.\r\n\r\nI\'ll continue to enjoy my Ironman triathlons and continue to do them as long as I can. But as far as hiking up a mountain to 19,341 feet, this will be my one and only time! It\'s a tremendous accomplishment, but something I would not want to repeat.\r\n\r\n<img class=\"aligncenter\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/final-goodbyes-1.jpg\" />\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/Final-goodbyes-and-certificates\"><strong>See Photos</strong></a></p>\r\n\r\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\">Thank You to Everyone Who Made Kilimanjaro A Possibility!</h3>\r\nThank you to everyone that sent me well wishes before, during, and after my climb. It meant so much!\r\n\r\nI also thank my parents who gave me the will and determination to achieve all the goals in my life, no matter how hard they are.\r\nThey always ingrained this determination in me and encouraged me to just put my head down and keep going to achieve my goals.\r\nAs I said above, they were with me the whole way and always will be.\r\n\r\nThank you for taking the time to read this. I hope this will inspire you that if a goal is desired, to just put your head down and keep going no matter how difficult it may seem.\r\n\r\n<strong>Peter A. Fields, MD, DC </strong>\r\n<strong>The Athletic Doc<sup>®</sup></strong>','Report of My Kilimanjaro Climb','','inherit','closed','closed','','2208-revision-v1','','','2021-08-27 18:57:16','2021-08-27 18:57:16','',2208,'https://www.drfields.com/?p=4850',0,'revision','',0),(4851,9,'2021-08-27 19:00:28','2021-08-27 19:00:28','<h1>Report of My Kilimanjaro Climb (late by two years!)</h1>\r\n<em>By Peter A. Fields, MD, DC</em>\r\n\r\nAfter waiting ten years with this on my bucket list, I finally was going to climb Kilimanjaro.\r\n<h3>Getting to Mount Kilimanjaro</h3>\r\n<img class=\"alignleft\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/klimanjaro-8.jpg\" alt=\"\" />\r\n\r\nThe trip to Kilimanjaro began with an 11-hour flight to London where I had a 36-hour layover. Saw \"Tina, The Musical\" (life and times of Tina Truner). Great show.  Then 9 ½ hour flight to Nairobi, where I spent 24 hours so I was able to see the city. Then a one-hour flight to Kilimanjaro, Tanzania. My arrival at Kilimanjaro airport was on Sunday night. This was followed by a two-and-a-half-hour ride, with half of it on a very bumpy dirt road, before reaching the destination at the base camp. Since it was almost midnight, I went straight to my tent, which was quite luxurious for camping, and included a sink, a bathroom, and even a shower. I took advantage of a quick shower and went straight to bed.\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/Day-1-Kiliminaro-and-base-camp-arrival\"><strong>See Photos</strong></a></p>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<h3>Pre-Climb Hike</h3>\r\n<img class=\"alignleft\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/klimanjaro-9.jpg\" alt=\"\" />\r\n\r\nAfter a nice breakfast, where I met the other climbers and our trek leaders, we went for a short two-hour hike just to see the local terrain. It was beautiful, with waterfalls and lots of lush plants and greenery. The guide leader went through our entire pack to make sure that we would be taking everything we needed and that everything was in good shape. The rest of the day was just spent relaxing, except for a short sunset hike of 10 minutes, where at the top of the small hill they had wine waiting for us. A pleasant surprise.\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/Finally-hiking\"><strong>See Photos</strong></a></p>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<h3>First Day Hike Towards Kilimanjaro</h3>\r\n<img class=\"alignleft\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/killi-trailhead-4.jpg\" /><img class=\"alignleft\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/killi-trailhead-3.jpg\" /><img class=\"alignleft\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/killi-trailhead-2.jpg\" />\r\n\r\nAfter a two-hour ride, we arrived at the check-in point. The weather was hot enough to wear shorts and t-shirts since we were only 3 degrees off the equator. There we saw the more than 45 plus Sherpa’s that would accompany us. There were six Sherpa’s( there were six hikers) to carry each person\'s clothing (colder weather gear, nighttime clothes, toiletries, etc.). Then six to carry our bedding, and tents ( double roofed for better rain protection), six would carry our food for 7 days ( three full meals a day), eight of them made up the kitchen team, another team of two would carry the oxygen and medicine, four to carry the toilets and tents over them, plus about 10 other Sherpa’s would carry all the tents, tables and chairs. There were also 10 more to carry all of the sherpa’s food and equipment.\r\n\r\nWe had to register and show our passports, and after that, we took a short 20-minute drive to the trailhead. Arriving at noon, a very nice, well-prepared lunch was ready for us. We started the hike at 7700 feet and climbed to 9300 feet. The area was mostly jungle-like, with a lot of fantastic plants, birds and other exotic wildlife, including Colobus monkeys and other animals. When we arrived at the camp at 9300 feet, the tents were already set up, and we unpacked our gear in each individual tent, had dinner, and went to sleep.\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/Kili-Getting-to-the-trailhead\"><strong>See Photos</strong></a></p>\r\n\r\n<h3>Second Day Hike</h3>\r\nAt 6:30 AM we were woken up with a hot bowl of water to wash up and get ready for the day. A very full breakfast was prepared for us and then we started off to hike again. For hiking, it’s important to eat three square meals a day as well as drink a minimum of three liters of water a day. Without this exhaustion, dehydration, and more can happen. The guides made sure that we would eat a lot and consume lots of water.\r\n\r\nWe headed off on our hike up to 11,400 feet, crossing from the Montane Forest into the Hagenia Zone, where we saw many different plants and beautiful trees throughout the canyon.\r\n\r\nI felt pretty good, as I had taken Diamox, a medicine to help prevent altitude sickness. I had a Camelback-style drinking system so I was drinking copious amounts of water. At night it was cold but with the proper gear (well worth the expense!), I felt warm.\r\n<h3>Day Three Hike</h3>\r\nWe had another early wake-up call today and another substantial breakfast (scrambled eggs, toast, pancakes, fruit, toast, jelly, peanut butter, tea/coffee, and more. We hiked across a large plateau and gained about 2,100 feet in altitude. It was very interesting as we passed into the upper heath zone, where there were no more trees here, just a lot of different plants. And lots of volcanic rock (the last active volcano here took place over 10,000 years ago).\r\n\r\nThe hiking was very slow and consistent, as they say in Swahili, “Poli, Poli.” Again I felt very good when arriving at Moir camp at 13,500 feet. We had beautiful views of the mountain as the clouds moved away. It was really spectacular!\r\n<h3>Day Four Hike</h3>\r\n<img class=\"alignleft\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/klimanjaro-2.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"170\" height=\"226\" /><img class=\"alignleft\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Kilihiking15000-4.jpg\" width=\"423\" height=\"238\" />\r\n\r\nWe woke up again at 6:30 AM, had breakfast at 7 and were hiking by 7:30. Today was a shorter hike of only 3.1 miles, but we did climb 2000 feet. It was slow in some parts and the steep sections were even slower. Finally, we arrived at camp after hiking for only 2 hours and 20 minutes. We were now at 15,500 feet. The air is very thin, so with every step you take you to think about it. But when we arrived at camp, everything seemed to settle down. During the afternoon there was a hale storm that turned into snow, so everybody went into their tents. I probably took a 3-hour well-needed nap. After a good dinner, we all went to bed, but not until we viewed the beautiful skies at 15,500 feet in the southern hemisphere.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/Kili-Hiking-to-15000-feet\"><strong>See Photos</strong></a></p>\r\n\r\n<h3>Day Five Hike</h3>\r\n<img class=\"alignleft\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/klimanjaro-3.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"128\" height=\"170\" />\r\n\r\nWe had the usual wake-up call at 6:30 AM and were on the road by 7:30. It snowed during the night, but only half an inch or so, making everything white and beautiful. The good news is this meant it was right around 32 degrees. The sun came out, so it was warm when we hiked but a little bit cooler when clouds were overhead. Plus with the altitude (lots of breathing) and hiking effort, one was rarely cold. Today\'s hike was only one thousand feet of climbing and a short hike to the base camp. The big hike tomorrow will only be about an hour and 20 minutes, but it will be over a lot of rocks and boulders and will be steep in some places. We arrived at the base camp around\r\n10:30 - 11 in the morning. We were supposed to go for a short hike from there without our packs but it started snowing for over an hour, so that was canceled. Tomorrow morning, we will have a 4 AM wake-up call in anticipation of a 2,300-foot elevation climb up to18,650 feet.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<h3>Day Six Hike</h3>\r\n<img class=\"alignleft\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/16500-18400-12.jpg\" /><img class=\"alignright\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/16500-18400-13.jpg\" />\r\n\r\nWake-up call at 4 AM and breakfast at 4:30. The slow group left at 5. We (my hiking partner, myself and our guide) left about 5:30. At this altitude of over 16,000 feet, everyone moves very slowly. The first little part was steep and slightly snow-covered, but then it got extremely steep and no longer covered in snow. We climbed 2,400 feet over 2.6 miles. The first hour was in the dark, but we all had headlamps. It was very rocky and we had to use our hands sometimes to climb. We ran into a few other tours on the trail and all of us had to cut across a mountainside since the snow had obliterated the trail the night before. We were now over 17, 000 feet. One of the guides from another tour (all the guides know each other) had a pickaxe and so he chopped thru the snow to make it easier on our footing. Even so, it was very slippery. There were times we had to use all four extremities to climb, even kneeling on the next step up because the step was too high to reach with our foot. Breathing was becoming more and more labored and it was difficult to catch our breath in the thinning air. When we stopped at 18,000 feet for a snack and water, we thought the worst was over, but that wasn’t the case. The next 500 feet were very rocky and slippery, and that along with the very thin air meant we had to take three or four steps before needing to stop for a break. Like having a bag over your head and pulling for each breath. Finally, we reached the craters ridge and were very happy. These are remnants of glaciers that once covered this entire valley. The whole valley was snow-covered and looked like we were walking in a desert. When we arrived, we were not allowed to lie down in our tents for about a good hour because we needed to let our bodies acclimate to the thin air at 18,600 feet. After that, we enjoyed a well-deserved nap before an early dinner because we would be getting up again at 4 AM to <em>climb to the top of Kilimanjaro!</em>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/16-500-feet-to-18-400\"><strong>See Photos</strong></a></p>\r\n\r\n<h2>Day Seven Hike</h2>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_2282\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"397\"]<img class=\"size-full wp-image-2282\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/summit-19341-7.jpg\" alt=\"Summit 19,341 (7)\" width=\"397\" height=\"310\" /> Summit 19,341[/caption]\r\n\r\nThe night was extremely cold, with ground temperatures probably down to zero degrees Fahrenheit. We did everything to keep ourselves warm! I laid my down jacket on top of my sleeping bag (which was rated to zero degrees), plus I had a liner inside the sleeping bag which gave me an additional 25 degrees of warmth. I am definitely not a cold weather person but with the right gear, it was not too bad.\r\nWe were woken up at 4 AM. After eating and packing our stuff ( only our personal things; the Sherpa took care of the sleeping bag and tent each morning and night, we were off for a 75-minute climb, basically straight up and extremely cold. Fortunately, I had bought the best mittens ever and my hands were not cold. Nonetheless, my legs and face took the brunt of it, and we moved very, very slowly. 10 feet could take several minutes. After a very hard, straight-up climbing, we had to cross a flat plane to the actual top of the mountain. The wind was blowing like crazy. The air temp was around minus 10 Fahrenheit with the wind chill probably down to negative 45 or 50 Fahrenheit. But all 6 of us had made it. It was a special feeling…an unbelievable feeling!\r\n\r\nI always carry some ashes of my parents no matter where I travel in this world. And since this was a very special place, I quietly said a prayer, took off my mittens (brrr), and sprinkled some of their ashes at the top. They had made it the whole way with me!\r\n\r\nWe took our pictures and then had to get going due to the intense winds and brutal cold. Fortunately, we summited very early and there were only one or two other groups at the top. Later on, there would be at least 50-100 people. We saw a gorgeous sunrise since it was only about 7 in the morning. We were almost on the equator, and sunrise and sunsets are always at around 6:30 without much variation from season to season.\r\nImmediately, once we started to go down, we could feel the release of pressure in our lungs and chest. The descent and decreasing pressure made it a lot easier on our lungs, plus it was now all downhill. After an hour or two, our quads really felt it, and we would be walking downhill for the next 5 to 6 hours!\r\nWe did stop for a small break for some lunch, but our appetite was low due to altitude. Several of the hikers experienced altitude sickness on the way up, with nausea, diarrhea, headaches loss of appetite, and weakness. But it was worse for me while descending, but fortunately, I had only lost my appetite with slight nausea and it lasted only for a short period of time. Anyway, we finally made it to camp at 10,500 feet. The weather was really nice and a bit warmer, between about 45 to 50 degrees or more. What a difference from the night before! We all had a good meal and rested, as we had been hiking downhill for over 8 hours, and all of our legs were extremely tired.\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/Hiking-to-the-summit-19-341-feet\"><strong>See Photos</strong></a></p>\r\n\r\n<h3>Day Eight Hike</h3>\r\n<img class=\"alignright\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Sunriseuptop-3.jpg\" />\r\n\r\nWe woke up at 6:30 AM, which was a big difference from 4 AM. Today would be our last night, and we would be saying goodbye to all the Sherpas and guides. Only the guides would continue with us. I volunteered to be the spokesperson of the group, which meant I would be collecting the tip money and giving a short speech.\r\n\r\nAfter breakfast, the 40 or so sherpas gathered around singing and dancing. I actually joined them in the dancing, which I have a video of. I was very tired, but it was still worth it. I gave a 3-minute speech thanking every one of them for all of their hard work and dedication, and telling them that their help, whether by carrying a table, carrying sleeping bags, setting up tents, preparing food and everything else they did for us, was all very special and helped us so much.\r\n\r\nWe then set off for our last 6 to 7-hour hike downhill. Although it was not very steep, it was a dried-up river bed that was full of rocks and stones, making footing uneasy, and causing our quads to be even more on fire. But we knew the end was coming, so we just kept going. We stopped for lunch and continued on. After about 7 hours, we saw the base camp. Nothing could be sweeter! I signed out at the Ranger station and basically collapsed into the waiting truck. There were a lot of campers and hikers ending in this same area, so they drove us about 20 minutes away.\r\n\r\nWe had some lunch and then drove the rest of the way back to the lodge, which was a beautiful hotel about half an hour outside of Arusha on an old coffee plantation. Everybody had their own cabin. For the first time in 9 days, I took a shower. It was wonderful! Then we all gathered with the two guides and I said a few more words to represent the group. We had a nice dinner, and then two people left for the airport by 7 PM. That night, was my first night of sleep in a bed, after 9 days. It was fantastic! The mission was accomplished!\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/Sunrise-up-top-and-heading-down\"><strong>See Photos</strong></a>\r\n<h2>Kilimanjaro Was Amazing!</h2>\r\n<img class=\"size-full wp-image-2213\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/klimanjaro-5.jpg\" alt=\"Klimanjaro (5)\" width=\"128\" height=\"128\" />\r\n\r\nEven though the trip was not exactly as described in the pamphlet, it was something I had had on my bucket list for over 10 years. It was extremely difficult at times. Some of our hikers had difficulty even moving and needed assistance. But we all persevered. I\'ve done 10 Ironman races so far (now 11!), which require monumental training. But the long hike up to the crater from 16,800 feet to 18,400, with the subsequent day of summiting, followed by the 9,000-foot descent, were some of the hardest things that I\'ve ever done. And that includes all my Ironman competitions.\r\n\r\nYou just can\'t imagine what it\'s like trying to move at that altitude. As I said before, it is similar to having a paper bag over your head and trying to grasp for air. There were times I took two or three steps and then had to pause for 15 or 20 seconds just to get my heart rate and breathing back down, repeating that again and again and again. Never looking ahead, only down, because sometimes ten feet took 45-60 seconds to cross. All this while enduring the sub-freezing temperature, the blowing snow, and the wind chill factors. Nothing but grit and determination to keep you going. But the views were spectacular and the feeling of being literally on top of the world made it all worth it.\r\n\r\nI\'ll continue to enjoy my Ironman triathlons and continue to do them as long as I can. But as far as hiking up a mountain to 19,341 feet, this will be my one and only time! It\'s a tremendous accomplishment, but something I would not want to repeat.\r\n\r\n<img class=\"aligncenter\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/final-goodbyes-1.jpg\" />\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/Final-goodbyes-and-certificates\"><strong>See Photos</strong></a></p>\r\n\r\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\">Thank You to Everyone Who Made Kilimanjaro A Possibility!</h3>\r\nThank you to everyone that sent me well wishes before, during, and after my climb. It meant so much!\r\n\r\nI also thank my parents who gave me the will and determination to achieve all the goals in my life, no matter how hard they are.\r\nThey always ingrained this determination in me and encouraged me to just put my head down and keep going to achieve my goals.\r\nAs I said above, they were with me the whole way and always will be.\r\n\r\nThank you for taking the time to read this. I hope this will inspire you that if a goal is desired, to just put your head down and keep going no matter how difficult it may seem.\r\n\r\n<strong>Peter A. Fields, MD, DC </strong>\r\n<strong>The Athletic Doc<sup>®</sup></strong>','Report of My Kilimanjaro Climb','','inherit','closed','closed','','2208-revision-v1','','','2021-08-27 19:00:28','2021-08-27 19:00:28','',2208,'https://www.drfields.com/?p=4851',0,'revision','',0),(4852,9,'2021-08-27 19:03:27','2021-08-27 19:03:27','<h1>Report of My Kilimanjaro Climb (late by two years!)</h1>\r\n<em>By Peter A. Fields, MD, DC</em>\r\n\r\nAfter waiting ten years with this on my bucket list, I finally was going to climb Kilimanjaro.\r\n<h3>Getting to Mount Kilimanjaro</h3>\r\n<img class=\"alignleft\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/klimanjaro-8.jpg\" alt=\"\" />\r\n\r\nThe trip to Kilimanjaro began with an 11-hour flight to London where I had a 36-hour layover. Saw \"Tina, The Musical\" (life and times of Tina Truner). Great show.  Then 9 ½ hour flight to Nairobi, where I spent 24 hours so I was able to see the city. Then a one-hour flight to Kilimanjaro, Tanzania. My arrival at Kilimanjaro airport was on Sunday night. This was followed by a two-and-a-half-hour ride, with half of it on a very bumpy dirt road, before reaching the destination at the base camp. Since it was almost midnight, I went straight to my tent, which was quite luxurious for camping, and included a sink, a bathroom, and even a shower. I took advantage of a quick shower and went straight to bed.\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/Day-1-Kiliminaro-and-base-camp-arrival\"><strong>See Photos</strong></a></p>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<h3>Pre-Climb Hike</h3>\r\n<img class=\"alignleft\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/klimanjaro-9.jpg\" alt=\"\" />\r\n\r\nAfter a nice breakfast, where I met the other climbers and our trek leaders, we went for a short two-hour hike just to see the local terrain. It was beautiful, with waterfalls and lots of lush plants and greenery. The guide leader went through our entire pack to make sure that we would be taking everything we needed and that everything was in good shape. The rest of the day was just spent relaxing, except for a short sunset hike of 10 minutes, where at the top of the small hill they had wine waiting for us. A pleasant surprise.\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/Finally-hiking\"><strong>See Photos</strong></a></p>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<h3>First Day Hike Towards Kilimanjaro</h3>\r\n<img class=\"alignleft\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/killi-trailhead-4.jpg\" /><img class=\"alignleft\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/killi-trailhead-3.jpg\" /><img class=\"alignleft\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/killi-trailhead-2.jpg\" />\r\n\r\nAfter a two-hour ride, we arrived at the check-in point. The weather was hot enough to wear shorts and t-shirts since we were only 3 degrees off the equator. There we saw the more than 45 plus Sherpa’s that would accompany us. There were six Sherpa’s( there were six hikers) to carry each person\'s clothing (colder weather gear, nighttime clothes, toiletries, etc.). Then six to carry our bedding, and tents ( double roofed for better rain protection), six would carry our food for 7 days ( three full meals a day), eight of them made up the kitchen team, another team of two would carry the oxygen and medicine, four to carry the toilets and tents over them, plus about 10 other Sherpa’s would carry all the tents, tables and chairs. There were also 10 more to carry all of the sherpa’s food and equipment.\r\n\r\nWe had to register and show our passports, and after that, we took a short 20-minute drive to the trailhead. Arriving at noon, a very nice, well-prepared lunch was ready for us. We started the hike at 7700 feet and climbed to 9300 feet. The area was mostly jungle-like, with a lot of fantastic plants, birds and other exotic wildlife, including Colobus monkeys and other animals. When we arrived at the camp at 9300 feet, the tents were already set up, and we unpacked our gear in each individual tent, had dinner, and went to sleep.\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/Kili-Getting-to-the-trailhead\"><strong>See Photos</strong></a></p>\r\n\r\n<h3>Second Day Hike</h3>\r\nAt 6:30 AM we were woken up with a hot bowl of water to wash up and get ready for the day. A very full breakfast was prepared for us and then we started off to hike again. For hiking, it’s important to eat three square meals a day as well as drink a minimum of three liters of water a day. Without this exhaustion, dehydration, and more can happen. The guides made sure that we would eat a lot and consume lots of water.\r\n\r\nWe headed off on our hike up to 11,400 feet, crossing from the Montane Forest into the Hagenia Zone, where we saw many different plants and beautiful trees throughout the canyon.\r\n\r\nI felt pretty good, as I had taken Diamox, a medicine to help prevent altitude sickness. I had a Camelback-style drinking system so I was drinking copious amounts of water. At night it was cold but with the proper gear (well worth the expense!), I felt warm.\r\n<h3>Day Three Hike</h3>\r\nWe had another early wake-up call today and another substantial breakfast (scrambled eggs, toast, pancakes, fruit, toast, jelly, peanut butter, tea/coffee, and more. We hiked across a large plateau and gained about 2,100 feet in altitude. It was very interesting as we passed into the upper heath zone, where there were no more trees here, just a lot of different plants. And lots of volcanic rock (the last active volcano here took place over 10,000 years ago).\r\n\r\nThe hiking was very slow and consistent, as they say in Swahili, “Poli, Poli.” Again I felt very good when arriving at Moir camp at 13,500 feet. We had beautiful views of the mountain as the clouds moved away. It was really spectacular!\r\n<h3>Day Four Hike</h3>\r\n<img class=\"alignleft\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/klimanjaro-2.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"170\" height=\"226\" /><img class=\"alignleft\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Kilihiking15000-4.jpg\" width=\"423\" height=\"238\" />\r\n\r\nWe woke up again at 6:30 AM, had breakfast at 7 and were hiking by 7:30. Today was a shorter hike of only 3.1 miles, but we did climb 2000 feet. It was slow in some parts and the steep sections were even slower. Finally, we arrived at camp after hiking for only 2 hours and 20 minutes. We were now at 15,500 feet. The air is very thin, so with every step you take you to think about it. But when we arrived at camp, everything seemed to settle down. During the afternoon there was a hale storm that turned into snow, so everybody went into their tents. I probably took a 3-hour well-needed nap. After a good dinner, we all went to bed, but not until we viewed the beautiful skies at 15,500 feet in the southern hemisphere.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/Kili-Hiking-to-15000-feet\"><strong>See Photos</strong></a></p>\r\n\r\n<h3>Day Five Hike</h3>\r\n<img class=\"alignleft\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/klimanjaro-3.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"128\" height=\"170\" />\r\n\r\nWe had the usual wake-up call at 6:30 AM and were on the road by 7:30. It snowed during the night, but only half an inch or so, making everything white and beautiful. The good news is this meant it was right around 32 degrees. The sun came out, so it was warm when we hiked but a little bit cooler when clouds were overhead. Plus with the altitude (lots of breathing) and hiking effort, one was rarely cold. Today\'s hike was only one thousand feet of climbing and a short hike to the base camp. The big hike tomorrow will only be about an hour and 20 minutes, but it will be over a lot of rocks and boulders and will be steep in some places. We arrived at the base camp around\r\n10:30 - 11 in the morning. We were supposed to go for a short hike from there without our packs but it started snowing for over an hour, so that was canceled. Tomorrow morning, we will have a 4 AM wake-up call in anticipation of a 2,300-foot elevation climb up to18,650 feet.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<h3>Day Six Hike</h3>\r\n<img class=\"alignleft\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/16500-18400-12.jpg\" /><img class=\"alignright\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/16500-18400-13.jpg\" />\r\n\r\nWake-up call at 4 AM and breakfast at 4:30. The slow group left at 5. We (my hiking partner, myself and our guide) left about 5:30. At this altitude of over 16,000 feet, everyone moves very slowly. The first little part was steep and slightly snow-covered, but then it got extremely steep and no longer covered in snow. We climbed 2,400 feet over 2.6 miles. The first hour was in the dark, but we all had headlamps. It was very rocky and we had to use our hands sometimes to climb. We ran into a few other tours on the trail and all of us had to cut across a mountainside since the snow had obliterated the trail the night before. We were now over 17, 000 feet. One of the guides from another tour (all the guides know each other) had a pickaxe and so he chopped thru the snow to make it easier on our footing. Even so, it was very slippery. There were times we had to use all four extremities to climb, even kneeling on the next step up because the step was too high to reach with our foot. Breathing was becoming more and more labored and it was difficult to catch our breath in the thinning air. When we stopped at 18,000 feet for a snack and water, we thought the worst was over, but that wasn’t the case. The next 500 feet were very rocky and slippery, and that along with the very thin air meant we had to take three or four steps before needing to stop for a break. Like having a bag over your head and pulling for each breath. Finally, we reached the craters ridge and were very happy. These are remnants of glaciers that once covered this entire valley. The whole valley was snow-covered and looked like we were walking in a desert. When we arrived, we were not allowed to lie down in our tents for about a good hour because we needed to let our bodies acclimate to the thin air at 18,600 feet. After that, we enjoyed a well-deserved nap before an early dinner because we would be getting up again at 4 AM to <em>climb to the top of Kilimanjaro!</em>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/16-500-feet-to-18-400\"><strong>See Photos</strong></a></p>\r\n\r\n<h2>Day Seven Hike</h2>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_2282\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"397\"]<img class=\"size-full wp-image-2282\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/summit-19341-7.jpg\" alt=\"Summit 19,341 (7)\" width=\"397\" height=\"310\" /> Summit 19,341[/caption]\r\n\r\nThe night was extremely cold, with ground temperatures probably down to zero degrees Fahrenheit. We did everything to keep ourselves warm! I laid my down jacket on top of my sleeping bag (which was rated to zero degrees), plus I had a liner inside the sleeping bag which gave me an additional 25 degrees of warmth. I am definitely not a cold weather person but with the right gear, it was not too bad.\r\nWe were woken up at 4 AM. After eating and packing our stuff ( only our personal things; the Sherpa took care of the sleeping bag and tent each morning and night, we were off for a 75-minute climb, basically straight up and extremely cold. Fortunately, I had bought the best mittens ever and my hands were not cold. Nonetheless, my legs and face took the brunt of it, and we moved very, very slowly. 10 feet could take several minutes. After a very hard, straight-up climbing, we had to cross a flat plane to the actual top of the mountain. The wind was blowing like crazy. The air temp was around minus 10 Fahrenheit with the wind chill probably down to negative 45 or 50 Fahrenheit. But all 6 of us had made it. It was a special feeling…an unbelievable feeling!\r\n\r\nI always carry some ashes of my parents no matter where I travel in this world. And since this was a very special place, I quietly said a prayer, took off my mittens (brrr), and sprinkled some of their ashes at the top. They had made it the whole way with me!\r\n\r\nWe took our pictures and then had to get going due to the intense winds and brutal cold. Fortunately, we summited very early and there were only one or two other groups at the top. Later on, there would be at least 50-100 people. We saw a gorgeous sunrise since it was only about 7 in the morning. We were almost on the equator, and sunrise and sunsets are always at around 6:30 without much variation from season to season.\r\nImmediately, once we started to go down, we could feel the release of pressure in our lungs and chest. The descent and decreasing pressure made it a lot easier on our lungs, plus it was now all downhill. After an hour or two, our quads really felt it, and we would be walking downhill for the next 5 to 6 hours!\r\nWe did stop for a small break for some lunch, but our appetite was low due to altitude. Several of the hikers experienced altitude sickness on the way up, with nausea, diarrhea, headaches loss of appetite, and weakness. But it was worse for me while descending, but fortunately, I had only lost my appetite with slight nausea and it lasted only for a short period of time. Anyway, we finally made it to camp at 10,500 feet. The weather was really nice and a bit warmer, between about 45 to 50 degrees or more. What a difference from the night before! We all had a good meal and rested, as we had been hiking downhill for over 8 hours, and all of our legs were extremely tired.\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/Hiking-to-the-summit-19-341-feet\"><strong>See Photos</strong></a></p>\r\n\r\n<h3>Day Eight Hike</h3>\r\n<img class=\"alignright\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Sunriseuptop-3.jpg\" />\r\n\r\nWe woke up at 6:30 AM, which was a big difference from 4 AM. Today would be our last night, and we would be saying goodbye to all the Sherpas and guides. Only the guides would continue with us. I volunteered to be the spokesperson of the group, which meant I would be collecting the tip money and giving a short speech.\r\n\r\nAfter breakfast, the 40 or so sherpas gathered around singing and dancing. I actually joined them in the dancing, which I have a video of. I was very tired, but it was still worth it. I gave a 3-minute speech thanking every one of them for all of their hard work and dedication, and telling them that their help, whether by carrying a table, carrying sleeping bags, setting up tents, preparing food and everything else they did for us, was all very special and helped us so much.\r\n\r\nWe then set off for our last 6 to 7-hour hike downhill. Although it was not very steep, it was a dried-up river bed that was full of rocks and stones, making footing uneasy, and causing our quads to be even more on fire. But we knew the end was coming, so we just kept going. We stopped for lunch and continued on. After about 7 hours, we saw the base camp. Nothing could be sweeter! I signed out at the Ranger station and basically collapsed into the waiting truck. There were a lot of campers and hikers ending in this same area, so they drove us about 20 minutes away.\r\n\r\nWe had some lunch and then drove the rest of the way back to the lodge, which was a beautiful hotel about half an hour outside of Arusha on an old coffee plantation. Everybody had their own cabin. For the first time in 9 days, I took a shower. It was wonderful! Then we all gathered with the two guides and I said a few more words to represent the group. We had a nice dinner, and then two people left for the airport by 7 PM. That night, was my first night of sleep in a bed, after 9 days. It was fantastic! The mission was accomplished!\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/Sunrise-up-top-and-heading-down\"><strong>See Photos</strong></a>\r\n<h2>Kilimanjaro Was Amazing!</h2>\r\n<img class=\"size-full wp-image-2213\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/klimanjaro-5.jpg\" alt=\"Klimanjaro (5)\" width=\"128\" height=\"128\" />\r\n\r\nEven though the trip was not exactly as described in the pamphlet, it was something I had had on my bucket list for over 10 years. It was extremely difficult at times. Some of our hikers had difficulty even moving and needed assistance. But we all persevered. I\'ve done 10 Ironman races so far (now 11!), which require monumental training. But the long hike up to the crater from 16,800 feet to 18,400, with the subsequent day of summiting, followed by the 9,000-foot descent, were some of the hardest things that I\'ve ever done. And that includes all my Ironman competitions.\r\n\r\nYou just can\'t imagine what it\'s like trying to move at that altitude. As I said before, it is similar to having a paper bag over your head and trying to grasp for air. There were times I took two or three steps and then had to pause for 15 or 20 seconds just to get my heart rate and breathing back down, repeating that again and again and again. Never looking ahead, only down, because sometimes ten feet took 45-60 seconds to cross. All this while enduring the sub-freezing temperature, the blowing snow, and the wind chill factors. Nothing but grit and determination to keep you going. But the views were spectacular and the feeling of being literally on top of the world made it all worth it.\r\n\r\nI\'ll continue to enjoy my Ironman triathlons and continue to do them as long as I can. But as far as hiking up a mountain to 19,341 feet, this will be my one and only time! It\'s a tremendous accomplishment, but something I would not want to repeat.\r\n\r\n<img class=\"aligncenter\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/final-goodbyes-1.jpg\" />\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/Final-goodbyes-and-certificates\"><strong>See Photos</strong></a></p>\r\n\r\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\">Thank You to Everyone Who Made Kilimanjaro A Possibility!</h3>\r\nThank you to everyone that sent me well wishes before, during, and after my climb. It meant so much!\r\n\r\nI also thank my parents who gave me the will and determination to achieve all the goals in my life, no matter how hard they are.\r\nThey always ingrained this determination in me and encouraged me to just put my head down and keep going to achieve my goals.\r\nAs I said above, they were with me the whole way and always will be.\r\n\r\nThank you for taking the time to read this. I hope this will inspire you that if a goal is desired, to just put your head down and keep going no matter how difficult it may seem.\r\n\r\n<strong>Peter A. Fields, MD, DC </strong>\r\n<strong>The Athletic Doc<sup>®</sup></strong>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/about/the-athletic-doc/about-the-athletic-doc/\">Click here</a> to find out more about <strong>The Athletic Doc<sup>® </sup></strong>','Report of My Kilimanjaro Climb','','inherit','closed','closed','','2208-revision-v1','','','2021-08-27 19:03:27','2021-08-27 19:03:27','',2208,'https://www.drfields.com/?p=4852',0,'revision','',0),(4853,9,'2021-08-27 20:02:22','2021-08-27 20:02:22','<h1>Report of My Kilimanjaro Climb (late by two years!)</h1>\r\n<em>By Peter A. Fields, MD, DC</em>\r\n\r\nAfter waiting ten years with this on my bucket list, I finally was going to climb Kilimanjaro.\r\n<h3>Getting to Mount Kilimanjaro</h3>\r\n<img class=\"alignleft\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/klimanjaro-8.jpg\" alt=\"\" />\r\n\r\nThe trip to Kilimanjaro began with an 11-hour flight to London where I had a 36-hour layover. Saw \"Tina, The Musical\" (life and times of Tina Truner). Great show.  Then 9 ½ hour flight to Nairobi, where I spent 24 hours so I was able to see the city. Then a one-hour flight to Kilimanjaro, Tanzania. My arrival at Kilimanjaro airport was on Sunday night. This was followed by a two-and-a-half-hour ride, with half of it on a very bumpy dirt road, before reaching the destination at the base camp. Since it was almost midnight, I went straight to my tent, which was quite luxurious for camping, and included a sink, a bathroom, and even a shower. I took advantage of a quick shower and went straight to bed.\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/Day-1-Kiliminaro-and-base-camp-arrival\"><strong>See Photos</strong></a></p>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<h3>Pre-Climb Hike</h3>\r\n<img class=\"alignleft\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/klimanjaro-9.jpg\" alt=\"\" />\r\n\r\nAfter a nice breakfast, where I met the other climbers and our trek leaders, we went for a short two-hour hike just to see the local terrain. It was beautiful, with waterfalls and lots of lush plants and greenery. The guide leader went through our entire pack to make sure that we would be taking everything we needed and that everything was in good shape. The rest of the day was just spent relaxing, except for a short sunset hike of 10 minutes, where at the top of the small hill they had wine waiting for us. A pleasant surprise.\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/Finally-hiking\"><strong>See Photos</strong></a></p>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<h3>First Day Hike Towards Kilimanjaro</h3>\r\n<img class=\"alignleft\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/killi-trailhead-4.jpg\" /><img class=\"alignleft\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/killi-trailhead-3.jpg\" /><img class=\"alignleft\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/killi-trailhead-2.jpg\" />\r\n\r\nAfter a two-hour ride, we arrived at the check-in point. The weather was hot enough to wear shorts and t-shirts since we were only 3 degrees off the equator. There we saw the more than 45 plus Sherpa’s that would accompany us. There were six Sherpa’s( there were six hikers) to carry each person\'s clothing (colder weather gear, nighttime clothes, toiletries, etc.). Then six to carry our bedding, and tents ( double roofed for better rain protection), six would carry our food for 7 days ( three full meals a day), eight of them made up the kitchen team, another team of two would carry the oxygen and medicine, four to carry the toilets and tents over them, plus about 10 other Sherpa’s would carry all the tents, tables and chairs. There were also 10 more to carry all of the sherpa’s food and equipment.\r\n\r\nWe had to register and show our passports, and after that, we took a short 20-minute drive to the trailhead. Arriving at noon, a very nice, well-prepared lunch was ready for us. We started the hike at 7700 feet and climbed to 9300 feet. The area was mostly jungle-like, with a lot of fantastic plants, birds and other exotic wildlife, including Colobus monkeys and other animals. When we arrived at the camp at 9300 feet, the tents were already set up, and we unpacked our gear in each individual tent, had dinner, and went to sleep.\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/Kili-Getting-to-the-trailhead\"><strong>See Photos</strong></a></p>\r\n\r\n<h3>Second Day Hike</h3>\r\nAt 6:30 AM we were woken up with a hot bowl of water to wash up and get ready for the day. A very full breakfast was prepared for us and then we started off to hike again. For hiking, it’s important to eat three square meals a day as well as drink a minimum of three liters of water a day. Without this exhaustion, dehydration, and more can happen. The guides made sure that we would eat a lot and consume lots of water.\r\n\r\nWe headed off on our hike up to 11,400 feet, crossing from the Montane Forest into the Hagenia Zone, where we saw many different plants and beautiful trees throughout the canyon.\r\n\r\nI felt pretty good, as I had taken Diamox, a medicine to help prevent altitude sickness. I had a Camelback-style drinking system so I was drinking copious amounts of water. At night it was cold but with the proper gear (well worth the expense!), I felt warm.\r\n<h3>Day Three Hike</h3>\r\nWe had another early wake-up call today and another substantial breakfast (scrambled eggs, toast, pancakes, fruit, toast, jelly, peanut butter, tea/coffee, and more. We hiked across a large plateau and gained about 2,100 feet in altitude. It was very interesting as we passed into the upper heath zone, where there were no more trees here, just a lot of different plants. And lots of volcanic rock (the last active volcano here took place over 10,000 years ago).\r\n\r\nThe hiking was very slow and consistent, as they say in Swahili, “Poli, Poli.” Again I felt very good when arriving at Moir camp at 13,500 feet. We had beautiful views of the mountain as the clouds moved away. It was really spectacular!\r\n<h3>Day Four Hike</h3>\r\n<img class=\"alignleft\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/klimanjaro-2.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"170\" height=\"226\" /><img class=\"alignleft\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Kilihiking15000-4.jpg\" width=\"423\" height=\"238\" />\r\n\r\nWe woke up again at 6:30 AM, had breakfast at 7 and were hiking by 7:30. Today was a shorter hike of only 3.1 miles, but we did climb 2000 feet. It was slow in some parts and the steep sections were even slower. Finally, we arrived at camp after hiking for only 2 hours and 20 minutes. We were now at 15,500 feet. The air is very thin, so with every step you take you to think about it. But when we arrived at camp, everything seemed to settle down. During the afternoon there was a hale storm that turned into snow, so everybody went into their tents. I probably took a 3-hour well-needed nap. After a good dinner, we all went to bed, but not until we viewed the beautiful skies at 15,500 feet in the southern hemisphere.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/Kili-Hiking-to-15000-feet\"><strong>See Photos</strong></a></p>\r\n\r\n<h3>Day Five Hike</h3>\r\n<img class=\"alignleft\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/klimanjaro-3.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"128\" height=\"170\" />\r\n\r\nWe had the usual wake-up call at 6:30 AM and were on the road by 7:30. It snowed during the night, but only half an inch or so, making everything white and beautiful. The good news is this meant it was right around 32 degrees. The sun came out, so it was warm when we hiked but a little bit cooler when clouds were overhead. Plus with the altitude (lots of breathing) and hiking effort, one was rarely cold. Today\'s hike was only one thousand feet of climbing and a short hike to the base camp. The big hike tomorrow will only be about an hour and 20 minutes, but it will be over a lot of rocks and boulders and will be steep in some places. We arrived at the base camp around\r\n10:30 - 11 in the morning. We were supposed to go for a short hike from there without our packs but it started snowing for over an hour, so that was canceled. Tomorrow morning, we will have a 4 AM wake-up call in anticipation of a 2,300-foot elevation climb up to18,650 feet.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<h3>Day Six Hike</h3>\r\n<img class=\"alignleft\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/16500-18400-12.jpg\" /><img class=\"alignright\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/16500-18400-13.jpg\" />\r\n\r\nWake-up call at 4 AM and breakfast at 4:30. The slow group left at 5. We (my hiking partner, myself and our guide) left about 5:30. At this altitude of over 16,000 feet, everyone moves very slowly. The first little part was steep and slightly snow-covered, but then it got extremely steep and no longer covered in snow. We climbed 2,400 feet over 2.6 miles. The first hour was in the dark, but we all had headlamps. It was very rocky and we had to use our hands sometimes to climb. We ran into a few other tours on the trail and all of us had to cut across a mountainside since the snow had obliterated the trail the night before. We were now over 17, 000 feet. One of the guides from another tour (all the guides know each other) had a pickaxe and so he chopped thru the snow to make it easier on our footing. Even so, it was very slippery. There were times we had to use all four extremities to climb, even kneeling on the next step up because the step was too high to reach with our foot. Breathing was becoming more and more labored and it was difficult to catch our breath in the thinning air. When we stopped at 18,000 feet for a snack and water, we thought the worst was over, but that wasn’t the case. The next 500 feet were very rocky and slippery, and that along with the very thin air meant we had to take three or four steps before needing to stop for a break. Like having a bag over your head and pulling for each breath. Finally, we reached the craters ridge and were very happy. These are remnants of glaciers that once covered this entire valley. The whole valley was snow-covered and looked like we were walking in a desert. When we arrived, we were not allowed to lie down in our tents for about a good hour because we needed to let our bodies acclimate to the thin air at 18,600 feet. After that, we enjoyed a well-deserved nap before an early dinner because we would be getting up again at 4 AM to <em>climb to the top of Kilimanjaro!</em>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/16-500-feet-to-18-400\"><strong>See Photos</strong></a></p>\r\n\r\n<h2>Day Seven Hike</h2>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_2282\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"397\"]<img class=\"size-full wp-image-2282\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/summit-19341-7.jpg\" alt=\"Summit 19,341 (7)\" width=\"397\" height=\"310\" /> Summit 19,341[/caption]\r\n\r\nThe night was extremely cold, with ground temperatures probably down to zero degrees Fahrenheit. We did everything to keep ourselves warm! I laid my down jacket on top of my sleeping bag (which was rated to zero degrees), plus I had a liner inside the sleeping bag which gave me an additional 25 degrees of warmth. I am definitely not a cold weather person but with the right gear, it was not too bad.\r\nWe were woken up at 4 AM. After eating and packing our stuff ( only our personal things; the Sherpa took care of the sleeping bag and tent each morning and night, we were off for a 75-minute climb, basically straight up and extremely cold. Fortunately, I had bought the best mittens ever and my hands were not cold. Nonetheless, my legs and face took the brunt of it, and we moved very, very slowly. 10 feet could take several minutes. After a very hard, straight-up climbing, we had to cross a flat plane to the actual top of the mountain. The wind was blowing like crazy. The air temp was around minus 10 Fahrenheit with the wind chill probably down to negative 45 or 50 Fahrenheit. But all 6 of us had made it. It was a special feeling…an unbelievable feeling!\r\n\r\nI always carry some ashes of my parents no matter where I travel in this world. And since this was a very special place, I quietly said a prayer, took off my mittens (brrr), and sprinkled some of their ashes at the top. They had made it the whole way with me!\r\n\r\nWe took our pictures and then had to get going due to the intense winds and brutal cold. Fortunately, we summited very early and there were only one or two other groups at the top. Later on, there would be at least 50-100 people. We saw a gorgeous sunrise since it was only about 7 in the morning. We were almost on the equator, and sunrise and sunsets are always at around 6:30 without much variation from season to season.\r\nImmediately, once we started to go down, we could feel the release of pressure in our lungs and chest. The descent and decreasing pressure made it a lot easier on our lungs, plus it was now all downhill. After an hour or two, our quads really felt it, and we would be walking downhill for the next 5 to 6 hours!\r\nWe did stop for a small break for some lunch, but our appetite was low due to altitude. Several of the hikers experienced altitude sickness on the way up, with nausea, diarrhea, headaches loss of appetite, and weakness. But it was worse for me while descending, but fortunately, I had only lost my appetite with slight nausea and it lasted only for a short period of time. Anyway, we finally made it to camp at 10,500 feet. The weather was really nice and a bit warmer, between about 45 to 50 degrees or more. What a difference from the night before! We all had a good meal and rested, as we had been hiking downhill for over 8 hours, and all of our legs were extremely tired.\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/Hiking-to-the-summit-19-341-feet\"><strong>See Photos</strong></a></p>\r\n\r\n<h3>Day Eight Hike</h3>\r\n<img class=\"alignright\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Sunriseuptop-3.jpg\" />\r\n\r\nWe woke up at 6:30 AM, which was a big difference from 4 AM. Today would be our last night, and we would be saying goodbye to all the Sherpas and guides. Only the guides would continue with us. I volunteered to be the spokesperson of the group, which meant I would be collecting the tip money and giving a short speech.\r\n\r\nAfter breakfast, the 40 or so sherpas gathered around singing and dancing. I actually joined them in the dancing, which I have a video of. I was very tired, but it was still worth it. I gave a 3-minute speech thanking every one of them for all of their hard work and dedication, and telling them that their help, whether by carrying a table, carrying sleeping bags, setting up tents, preparing food and everything else they did for us, was all very special and helped us so much.\r\n\r\nWe then set off for our last 6 to 7-hour hike downhill. Although it was not very steep, it was a dried-up river bed that was full of rocks and stones, making footing uneasy, and causing our quads to be even more on fire. But we knew the end was coming, so we just kept going. We stopped for lunch and continued on. After about 7 hours, we saw the base camp. Nothing could be sweeter! I signed out at the Ranger station and basically collapsed into the waiting truck. There were a lot of campers and hikers ending in this same area, so they drove us about 20 minutes away.\r\n\r\nWe had some lunch and then drove the rest of the way back to the lodge, which was a beautiful hotel about half an hour outside of Arusha on an old coffee plantation. Everybody had their own cabin. For the first time in 9 days, I took a shower. It was wonderful! Then we all gathered with the two guides and I said a few more words to represent the group. We had a nice dinner, and then two people left for the airport by 7 PM. That night, was my first night of sleep in a bed, after 9 days. It was fantastic! The mission was accomplished!\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/Sunrise-up-top-and-heading-down\"><strong>See Photos</strong></a>\r\n<h2>Kilimanjaro Was Amazing!</h2>\r\n<img class=\"size-full wp-image-2213\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/klimanjaro-5.jpg\" alt=\"Klimanjaro (5)\" width=\"128\" height=\"128\" />\r\n\r\nEven though the trip was not exactly as described in the pamphlet, it was something I had had on my bucket list for over 10 years. It was extremely difficult at times. Some of our hikers had difficulty even moving and needed assistance. But we all persevered. I\'ve done 10 Ironman races so far (now 11!), which require monumental training. But the long hike up to the crater from 16,800 feet to 18,400, with the subsequent day of summiting, followed by the 9,000-foot descent, were some of the hardest things that I\'ve ever done. And that includes all my Ironman competitions.\r\n\r\nYou just can\'t imagine what it\'s like trying to move at that altitude. As I said before, it is similar to having a paper bag over your head and trying to grasp for air. There were times I took two or three steps and then had to pause for 15 or 20 seconds just to get my heart rate and breathing back down, repeating that again and again and again. Never looking ahead, only down, because sometimes ten feet took 45-60 seconds to cross. All this while enduring the sub-freezing temperature, the blowing snow, and the wind chill factors. Nothing but grit and determination to keep you going. But the views were spectacular and the feeling of being literally on top of the world made it all worth it.\r\n\r\nI\'ll continue to enjoy my Ironman triathlons and continue to do them as long as I can. But as far as hiking up a mountain to 19,341 feet, this will be my one and only time! It\'s a tremendous accomplishment, but something I would not want to repeat.\r\n\r\n<img class=\"aligncenter\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/final-goodbyes-1.jpg\" />\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/Final-goodbyes-and-certificates\"><strong>See Photos</strong></a></p>\r\n[video poster=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Dancing.png\" width=\"352\" height=\"640\" mp4=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/DANCING-v3.mp4\"][/video]\r\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\">Thank You to Everyone Who Made Kilimanjaro A Possibility!</h3>\r\nThank you to everyone that sent me well wishes before, during, and after my climb. It meant so much!\r\n\r\nI also thank my parents who gave me the will and determination to achieve all the goals in my life, no matter how hard they are.\r\nThey always ingrained this determination in me and encouraged me to just put my head down and keep going to achieve my goals.\r\nAs I said above, they were with me the whole way and always will be.\r\n\r\nThank you for taking the time to read this. I hope this will inspire you that if a goal is desired, to just put your head down and keep going no matter how difficult it may seem.\r\n\r\n<strong>Peter A. Fields, MD, DC </strong>\r\n<strong>The Athletic Doc<sup>®</sup></strong>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/about/the-athletic-doc/about-the-athletic-doc/\">Click here</a> to find out more about <strong>The Athletic Doc<sup>® </sup></strong>','Report of My Kilimanjaro Climb','','inherit','closed','closed','','2208-revision-v1','','','2021-08-27 20:02:22','2021-08-27 20:02:22','',2208,'https://www.drfields.com/?p=4853',0,'revision','',0),(4854,9,'2021-08-27 20:08:38','2021-08-27 20:08:38','<h1>Report of My Kilimanjaro Climb (late by two years!)</h1>\r\n<em>By Peter A. Fields, MD, DC</em>\r\n\r\nAfter waiting ten years with this on my bucket list, I finally was going to climb Kilimanjaro.\r\n<h3>Getting to Mount Kilimanjaro</h3>\r\n<img class=\"alignleft\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/klimanjaro-8.jpg\" alt=\"\" />\r\n\r\nThe trip to Kilimanjaro began with an 11-hour flight to London where I had a 36-hour layover. Saw \"Tina, The Musical\" (life and times of Tina Truner). Great show.  Then 9 ½ hour flight to Nairobi, where I spent 24 hours so I was able to see the city. Then a one-hour flight to Kilimanjaro, Tanzania. My arrival at Kilimanjaro airport was on Sunday night. This was followed by a two-and-a-half-hour ride, with half of it on a very bumpy dirt road, before reaching the destination at the base camp. Since it was almost midnight, I went straight to my tent, which was quite luxurious for camping, and included a sink, a bathroom, and even a shower. I took advantage of a quick shower and went straight to bed.\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/Day-1-Kiliminaro-and-base-camp-arrival\"><strong>See Photos</strong></a></p>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<h3>Pre-Climb Hike</h3>\r\n<img class=\"alignleft\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/klimanjaro-9.jpg\" alt=\"\" />\r\n\r\nAfter a nice breakfast, where I met the other climbers and our trek leaders, we went for a short two-hour hike just to see the local terrain. It was beautiful, with waterfalls and lots of lush plants and greenery. The guide leader went through our entire pack to make sure that we would be taking everything we needed and that everything was in good shape. The rest of the day was just spent relaxing, except for a short sunset hike of 10 minutes, where at the top of the small hill they had wine waiting for us. A pleasant surprise.\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/Finally-hiking\"><strong>See Photos</strong></a></p>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<h3>First Day Hike Towards Kilimanjaro</h3>\r\n<img class=\"alignleft\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/killi-trailhead-4.jpg\" /><img class=\"alignleft\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/killi-trailhead-3.jpg\" /><img class=\"alignleft\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/killi-trailhead-2.jpg\" />\r\n\r\nAfter a two-hour ride, we arrived at the check-in point. The weather was hot enough to wear shorts and t-shirts since we were only 3 degrees off the equator. There we saw the more than 45 plus Sherpa’s that would accompany us. There were six Sherpa’s( there were six hikers) to carry each person\'s clothing (colder weather gear, nighttime clothes, toiletries, etc.). Then six to carry our bedding, and tents ( double roofed for better rain protection), six would carry our food for 7 days ( three full meals a day), eight of them made up the kitchen team, another team of two would carry the oxygen and medicine, four to carry the toilets and tents over them, plus about 10 other Sherpa’s would carry all the tents, tables and chairs. There were also 10 more to carry all of the sherpa’s food and equipment.\r\n\r\nWe had to register and show our passports, and after that, we took a short 20-minute drive to the trailhead. Arriving at noon, a very nice, well-prepared lunch was ready for us. We started the hike at 7700 feet and climbed to 9300 feet. The area was mostly jungle-like, with a lot of fantastic plants, birds and other exotic wildlife, including Colobus monkeys and other animals. When we arrived at the camp at 9300 feet, the tents were already set up, and we unpacked our gear in each individual tent, had dinner, and went to sleep.\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/Kili-Getting-to-the-trailhead\"><strong>See Photos</strong></a></p>\r\n\r\n<h3>Second Day Hike</h3>\r\nAt 6:30 AM we were woken up with a hot bowl of water to wash up and get ready for the day. A very full breakfast was prepared for us and then we started off to hike again. For hiking, it’s important to eat three square meals a day as well as drink a minimum of three liters of water a day. Without this exhaustion, dehydration, and more can happen. The guides made sure that we would eat a lot and consume lots of water.\r\n\r\nWe headed off on our hike up to 11,400 feet, crossing from the Montane Forest into the Hagenia Zone, where we saw many different plants and beautiful trees throughout the canyon.\r\n\r\nI felt pretty good, as I had taken Diamox, a medicine to help prevent altitude sickness. I had a Camelback-style drinking system so I was drinking copious amounts of water. At night it was cold but with the proper gear (well worth the expense!), I felt warm.\r\n<h3>Day Three Hike</h3>\r\nWe had another early wake-up call today and another substantial breakfast (scrambled eggs, toast, pancakes, fruit, toast, jelly, peanut butter, tea/coffee, and more. We hiked across a large plateau and gained about 2,100 feet in altitude. It was very interesting as we passed into the upper heath zone, where there were no more trees here, just a lot of different plants. And lots of volcanic rock (the last active volcano here took place over 10,000 years ago).\r\n\r\nThe hiking was very slow and consistent, as they say in Swahili, “Poli, Poli.” Again I felt very good when arriving at Moir camp at 13,500 feet. We had beautiful views of the mountain as the clouds moved away. It was really spectacular!\r\n<h3>Day Four Hike</h3>\r\n<img class=\"alignleft\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/klimanjaro-2.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"170\" height=\"226\" /><img class=\"alignleft\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Kilihiking15000-4.jpg\" width=\"423\" height=\"238\" />\r\n\r\nWe woke up again at 6:30 AM, had breakfast at 7 and were hiking by 7:30. Today was a shorter hike of only 3.1 miles, but we did climb 2000 feet. It was slow in some parts and the steep sections were even slower. Finally, we arrived at camp after hiking for only 2 hours and 20 minutes. We were now at 15,500 feet. The air is very thin, so with every step you take you to think about it. But when we arrived at camp, everything seemed to settle down. During the afternoon there was a hale storm that turned into snow, so everybody went into their tents. I probably took a 3-hour well-needed nap. After a good dinner, we all went to bed, but not until we viewed the beautiful skies at 15,500 feet in the southern hemisphere.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/Kili-Hiking-to-15000-feet\"><strong>See Photos</strong></a></p>\r\n\r\n<h3>Day Five Hike</h3>\r\n<img class=\"alignleft\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/klimanjaro-3.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"128\" height=\"170\" />\r\n\r\nWe had the usual wake-up call at 6:30 AM and were on the road by 7:30. It snowed during the night, but only half an inch or so, making everything white and beautiful. The good news is this meant it was right around 32 degrees. The sun came out, so it was warm when we hiked but a little bit cooler when clouds were overhead. Plus with the altitude (lots of breathing) and hiking effort, one was rarely cold. Today\'s hike was only one thousand feet of climbing and a short hike to the base camp. The big hike tomorrow will only be about an hour and 20 minutes, but it will be over a lot of rocks and boulders and will be steep in some places. We arrived at the base camp around\r\n10:30 - 11 in the morning. We were supposed to go for a short hike from there without our packs but it started snowing for over an hour, so that was canceled. Tomorrow morning, we will have a 4 AM wake-up call in anticipation of a 2,300-foot elevation climb up to18,650 feet.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<h3>Day Six Hike</h3>\r\n<img class=\"alignleft\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/16500-18400-12.jpg\" /><img class=\"alignright\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/16500-18400-13.jpg\" />\r\n\r\nWake-up call at 4 AM and breakfast at 4:30. The slow group left at 5. We (my hiking partner, myself and our guide) left about 5:30. At this altitude of over 16,000 feet, everyone moves very slowly. The first little part was steep and slightly snow-covered, but then it got extremely steep and no longer covered in snow. We climbed 2,400 feet over 2.6 miles. The first hour was in the dark, but we all had headlamps. It was very rocky and we had to use our hands sometimes to climb. We ran into a few other tours on the trail and all of us had to cut across a mountainside since the snow had obliterated the trail the night before. We were now over 17, 000 feet. One of the guides from another tour (all the guides know each other) had a pickaxe and so he chopped thru the snow to make it easier on our footing. Even so, it was very slippery. There were times we had to use all four extremities to climb, even kneeling on the next step up because the step was too high to reach with our foot. Breathing was becoming more and more labored and it was difficult to catch our breath in the thinning air. When we stopped at 18,000 feet for a snack and water, we thought the worst was over, but that wasn’t the case. The next 500 feet were very rocky and slippery, and that along with the very thin air meant we had to take three or four steps before needing to stop for a break. Like having a bag over your head and pulling for each breath. Finally, we reached the craters ridge and were very happy. These are remnants of glaciers that once covered this entire valley. The whole valley was snow-covered and looked like we were walking in a desert. When we arrived, we were not allowed to lie down in our tents for about a good hour because we needed to let our bodies acclimate to the thin air at 18,600 feet. After that, we enjoyed a well-deserved nap before an early dinner because we would be getting up again at 4 AM to <em>climb to the top of Kilimanjaro!</em>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/16-500-feet-to-18-400\"><strong>See Photos</strong></a></p>\r\n\r\n<h2>Day Seven Hike</h2>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_2282\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"397\"]<img class=\"size-full wp-image-2282\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/summit-19341-7.jpg\" alt=\"Summit 19,341 (7)\" width=\"397\" height=\"310\" /> Summit 19,341[/caption]\r\n\r\nThe night was extremely cold, with ground temperatures probably down to zero degrees Fahrenheit. We did everything to keep ourselves warm! I laid my down jacket on top of my sleeping bag (which was rated to zero degrees), plus I had a liner inside the sleeping bag which gave me an additional 25 degrees of warmth. I am definitely not a cold weather person but with the right gear, it was not too bad.\r\nWe were woken up at 4 AM. After eating and packing our stuff ( only our personal things; the Sherpa took care of the sleeping bag and tent each morning and night, we were off for a 75-minute climb, basically straight up and extremely cold. Fortunately, I had bought the best mittens ever and my hands were not cold. Nonetheless, my legs and face took the brunt of it, and we moved very, very slowly. 10 feet could take several minutes. After a very hard, straight-up climbing, we had to cross a flat plane to the actual top of the mountain. The wind was blowing like crazy. The air temp was around minus 10 Fahrenheit with the wind chill probably down to negative 45 or 50 Fahrenheit. But all 6 of us had made it. It was a special feeling…an unbelievable feeling!\r\n\r\nI always carry some ashes of my parents no matter where I travel in this world. And since this was a very special place, I quietly said a prayer, took off my mittens (brrr), and sprinkled some of their ashes at the top. They had made it the whole way with me!\r\n\r\nWe took our pictures and then had to get going due to the intense winds and brutal cold. Fortunately, we summited very early and there were only one or two other groups at the top. Later on, there would be at least 50-100 people. We saw a gorgeous sunrise since it was only about 7 in the morning. We were almost on the equator, and sunrise and sunsets are always at around 6:30 without much variation from season to season.\r\nImmediately, once we started to go down, we could feel the release of pressure in our lungs and chest. The descent and decreasing pressure made it a lot easier on our lungs, plus it was now all downhill. After an hour or two, our quads really felt it, and we would be walking downhill for the next 5 to 6 hours!\r\nWe did stop for a small break for some lunch, but our appetite was low due to altitude. Several of the hikers experienced altitude sickness on the way up, with nausea, diarrhea, headaches loss of appetite, and weakness. But it was worse for me while descending, but fortunately, I had only lost my appetite with slight nausea and it lasted only for a short period of time. Anyway, we finally made it to camp at 10,500 feet. The weather was really nice and a bit warmer, between about 45 to 50 degrees or more. What a difference from the night before! We all had a good meal and rested, as we had been hiking downhill for over 8 hours, and all of our legs were extremely tired.\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/Hiking-to-the-summit-19-341-feet\"><strong>See Photos</strong></a></p>\r\n\r\n<h3>Day Eight Hike</h3>\r\n<img class=\"alignright\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Sunriseuptop-3.jpg\" />\r\n\r\nWe woke up at 6:30 AM, which was a big difference from 4 AM. Today would be our last night, and we would be saying goodbye to all the Sherpas and guides. Only the guides would continue with us. I volunteered to be the spokesperson of the group, which meant I would be collecting the tip money and giving a short speech.\r\n\r\nAfter breakfast, the 40 or so sherpas gathered around singing and dancing. I actually joined them in the dancing, which I have a video of. I was very tired, but it was still worth it. I gave a 3-minute speech thanking every one of them for all of their hard work and dedication, and telling them that their help, whether by carrying a table, carrying sleeping bags, setting up tents, preparing food and everything else they did for us, was all very special and helped us so much.\r\n\r\nWe then set off for our last 6 to 7-hour hike downhill. Although it was not very steep, it was a dried-up river bed that was full of rocks and stones, making footing uneasy, and causing our quads to be even more on fire. But we knew the end was coming, so we just kept going. We stopped for lunch and continued on. After about 7 hours, we saw the base camp. Nothing could be sweeter! I signed out at the Ranger station and basically collapsed into the waiting truck. There were a lot of campers and hikers ending in this same area, so they drove us about 20 minutes away.\r\n\r\nWe had some lunch and then drove the rest of the way back to the lodge, which was a beautiful hotel about half an hour outside of Arusha on an old coffee plantation. Everybody had their own cabin. For the first time in 9 days, I took a shower. It was wonderful! Then we all gathered with the two guides and I said a few more words to represent the group. We had a nice dinner, and then two people left for the airport by 7 PM. That night, was my first night of sleep in a bed, after 9 days. It was fantastic! The mission was accomplished!\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/Sunrise-up-top-and-heading-down\"><strong>See Photos</strong></a>\r\n<h2>Kilimanjaro Was Amazing!</h2>\r\n<img class=\"size-full wp-image-2213\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/klimanjaro-5.jpg\" alt=\"Klimanjaro (5)\" width=\"128\" height=\"128\" />\r\n\r\nEven though the trip was not exactly as described in the pamphlet, it was something I had had on my bucket list for over 10 years. It was extremely difficult at times. Some of our hikers had difficulty even moving and needed assistance. But we all persevered. I\'ve done 10 Ironman races so far (now 11!), which require monumental training. But the long hike up to the crater from 16,800 feet to 18,400, with the subsequent day of summiting, followed by the 9,000-foot descent, were some of the hardest things that I\'ve ever done. And that includes all my Ironman competitions.\r\n\r\nYou just can\'t imagine what it\'s like trying to move at that altitude. As I said before, it is similar to having a paper bag over your head and trying to grasp for air. There were times I took two or three steps and then had to pause for 15 or 20 seconds just to get my heart rate and breathing back down, repeating that again and again and again. Never looking ahead, only down, because sometimes ten feet took 45-60 seconds to cross. All this while enduring the sub-freezing temperature, the blowing snow, and the wind chill factors. Nothing but grit and determination to keep you going. But the views were spectacular and the feeling of being literally on top of the world made it all worth it.\r\n\r\nI\'ll continue to enjoy my Ironman triathlons and continue to do them as long as I can. But as far as hiking up a mountain to 19,341 feet, this will be my one and only time! It\'s a tremendous accomplishment, but something I would not want to repeat.\r\n\r\n<img class=\"aligncenter\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/final-goodbyes-1.jpg\" />\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/Final-goodbyes-and-certificates\"><strong>See Photos</strong></a></p>\r\n[video poster=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Dancing.png\" width=\"352\" height=\"640\" mp4=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/DANCING-v3.mp4\"][/video]\r\n<h3>&lt;iframe width=\"560\" height=\"315\" src=\"https://www.youtube.com/embed/iUtJs2SlGC8\" title=\"YouTube video player\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen&gt;&lt;/iframe&gt;</h3>\r\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\">Thank You to Everyone Who Made Kilimanjaro A Possibility!</h3>\r\nThank you to everyone that sent me well wishes before, during, and after my climb. It meant so much!\r\n\r\nI also thank my parents who gave me the will and determination to achieve all the goals in my life, no matter how hard they are.\r\nThey always ingrained this determination in me and encouraged me to just put my head down and keep going to achieve my goals.\r\nAs I said above, they were with me the whole way and always will be.\r\n\r\nThank you for taking the time to read this. I hope this will inspire you that if a goal is desired, to just put your head down and keep going no matter how difficult it may seem.\r\n\r\n<strong>Peter A. Fields, MD, DC </strong>\r\n<strong>The Athletic Doc<sup>®</sup></strong>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/about/the-athletic-doc/about-the-athletic-doc/\">Click here</a> to find out more about <strong>The Athletic Doc<sup>® </sup></strong>','Report of My Kilimanjaro Climb','','inherit','closed','closed','','2208-revision-v1','','','2021-08-27 20:08:38','2021-08-27 20:08:38','',2208,'https://www.drfields.com/?p=4854',0,'revision','',0),(4855,9,'2021-08-27 20:09:50','2021-08-27 20:09:50','<h1>Report of My Kilimanjaro Climb (late by two years!)</h1>\r\n<em>By Peter A. Fields, MD, DC</em>\r\n\r\nAfter waiting ten years with this on my bucket list, I finally was going to climb Kilimanjaro.\r\n<h3>Getting to Mount Kilimanjaro</h3>\r\n<img class=\"alignleft\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/klimanjaro-8.jpg\" alt=\"\" />\r\n\r\nThe trip to Kilimanjaro began with an 11-hour flight to London where I had a 36-hour layover. Saw \"Tina, The Musical\" (life and times of Tina Truner). Great show.  Then 9 ½ hour flight to Nairobi, where I spent 24 hours so I was able to see the city. Then a one-hour flight to Kilimanjaro, Tanzania. My arrival at Kilimanjaro airport was on Sunday night. This was followed by a two-and-a-half-hour ride, with half of it on a very bumpy dirt road, before reaching the destination at the base camp. Since it was almost midnight, I went straight to my tent, which was quite luxurious for camping, and included a sink, a bathroom, and even a shower. I took advantage of a quick shower and went straight to bed.\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/Day-1-Kiliminaro-and-base-camp-arrival\"><strong>See Photos</strong></a></p>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<h3>Pre-Climb Hike</h3>\r\n<img class=\"alignleft\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/klimanjaro-9.jpg\" alt=\"\" />\r\n\r\nAfter a nice breakfast, where I met the other climbers and our trek leaders, we went for a short two-hour hike just to see the local terrain. It was beautiful, with waterfalls and lots of lush plants and greenery. The guide leader went through our entire pack to make sure that we would be taking everything we needed and that everything was in good shape. The rest of the day was just spent relaxing, except for a short sunset hike of 10 minutes, where at the top of the small hill they had wine waiting for us. A pleasant surprise.\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/Finally-hiking\"><strong>See Photos</strong></a></p>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<h3>First Day Hike Towards Kilimanjaro</h3>\r\n<img class=\"alignleft\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/killi-trailhead-4.jpg\" /><img class=\"alignleft\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/killi-trailhead-3.jpg\" /><img class=\"alignleft\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/killi-trailhead-2.jpg\" />\r\n\r\nAfter a two-hour ride, we arrived at the check-in point. The weather was hot enough to wear shorts and t-shirts since we were only 3 degrees off the equator. There we saw the more than 45 plus Sherpa’s that would accompany us. There were six Sherpa’s( there were six hikers) to carry each person\'s clothing (colder weather gear, nighttime clothes, toiletries, etc.). Then six to carry our bedding, and tents ( double roofed for better rain protection), six would carry our food for 7 days ( three full meals a day), eight of them made up the kitchen team, another team of two would carry the oxygen and medicine, four to carry the toilets and tents over them, plus about 10 other Sherpa’s would carry all the tents, tables and chairs. There were also 10 more to carry all of the sherpa’s food and equipment.\r\n\r\nWe had to register and show our passports, and after that, we took a short 20-minute drive to the trailhead. Arriving at noon, a very nice, well-prepared lunch was ready for us. We started the hike at 7700 feet and climbed to 9300 feet. The area was mostly jungle-like, with a lot of fantastic plants, birds and other exotic wildlife, including Colobus monkeys and other animals. When we arrived at the camp at 9300 feet, the tents were already set up, and we unpacked our gear in each individual tent, had dinner, and went to sleep.\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/Kili-Getting-to-the-trailhead\"><strong>See Photos</strong></a></p>\r\n\r\n<h3>Second Day Hike</h3>\r\nAt 6:30 AM we were woken up with a hot bowl of water to wash up and get ready for the day. A very full breakfast was prepared for us and then we started off to hike again. For hiking, it’s important to eat three square meals a day as well as drink a minimum of three liters of water a day. Without this exhaustion, dehydration, and more can happen. The guides made sure that we would eat a lot and consume lots of water.\r\n\r\nWe headed off on our hike up to 11,400 feet, crossing from the Montane Forest into the Hagenia Zone, where we saw many different plants and beautiful trees throughout the canyon.\r\n\r\nI felt pretty good, as I had taken Diamox, a medicine to help prevent altitude sickness. I had a Camelback-style drinking system so I was drinking copious amounts of water. At night it was cold but with the proper gear (well worth the expense!), I felt warm.\r\n<h3>Day Three Hike</h3>\r\nWe had another early wake-up call today and another substantial breakfast (scrambled eggs, toast, pancakes, fruit, toast, jelly, peanut butter, tea/coffee, and more. We hiked across a large plateau and gained about 2,100 feet in altitude. It was very interesting as we passed into the upper heath zone, where there were no more trees here, just a lot of different plants. And lots of volcanic rock (the last active volcano here took place over 10,000 years ago).\r\n\r\nThe hiking was very slow and consistent, as they say in Swahili, “Poli, Poli.” Again I felt very good when arriving at Moir camp at 13,500 feet. We had beautiful views of the mountain as the clouds moved away. It was really spectacular!\r\n<h3>Day Four Hike</h3>\r\n<img class=\"alignleft\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/klimanjaro-2.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"170\" height=\"226\" /><img class=\"alignleft\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Kilihiking15000-4.jpg\" width=\"423\" height=\"238\" />\r\n\r\nWe woke up again at 6:30 AM, had breakfast at 7 and were hiking by 7:30. Today was a shorter hike of only 3.1 miles, but we did climb 2000 feet. It was slow in some parts and the steep sections were even slower. Finally, we arrived at camp after hiking for only 2 hours and 20 minutes. We were now at 15,500 feet. The air is very thin, so with every step you take you to think about it. But when we arrived at camp, everything seemed to settle down. During the afternoon there was a hale storm that turned into snow, so everybody went into their tents. I probably took a 3-hour well-needed nap. After a good dinner, we all went to bed, but not until we viewed the beautiful skies at 15,500 feet in the southern hemisphere.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/Kili-Hiking-to-15000-feet\"><strong>See Photos</strong></a></p>\r\n\r\n<h3>Day Five Hike</h3>\r\n<img class=\"alignleft\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/klimanjaro-3.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"128\" height=\"170\" />\r\n\r\nWe had the usual wake-up call at 6:30 AM and were on the road by 7:30. It snowed during the night, but only half an inch or so, making everything white and beautiful. The good news is this meant it was right around 32 degrees. The sun came out, so it was warm when we hiked but a little bit cooler when clouds were overhead. Plus with the altitude (lots of breathing) and hiking effort, one was rarely cold. Today\'s hike was only one thousand feet of climbing and a short hike to the base camp. The big hike tomorrow will only be about an hour and 20 minutes, but it will be over a lot of rocks and boulders and will be steep in some places. We arrived at the base camp around\r\n10:30 - 11 in the morning. We were supposed to go for a short hike from there without our packs but it started snowing for over an hour, so that was canceled. Tomorrow morning, we will have a 4 AM wake-up call in anticipation of a 2,300-foot elevation climb up to18,650 feet.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<h3>Day Six Hike</h3>\r\n<img class=\"alignleft\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/16500-18400-12.jpg\" /><img class=\"alignright\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/16500-18400-13.jpg\" />\r\n\r\nWake-up call at 4 AM and breakfast at 4:30. The slow group left at 5. We (my hiking partner, myself and our guide) left about 5:30. At this altitude of over 16,000 feet, everyone moves very slowly. The first little part was steep and slightly snow-covered, but then it got extremely steep and no longer covered in snow. We climbed 2,400 feet over 2.6 miles. The first hour was in the dark, but we all had headlamps. It was very rocky and we had to use our hands sometimes to climb. We ran into a few other tours on the trail and all of us had to cut across a mountainside since the snow had obliterated the trail the night before. We were now over 17, 000 feet. One of the guides from another tour (all the guides know each other) had a pickaxe and so he chopped thru the snow to make it easier on our footing. Even so, it was very slippery. There were times we had to use all four extremities to climb, even kneeling on the next step up because the step was too high to reach with our foot. Breathing was becoming more and more labored and it was difficult to catch our breath in the thinning air. When we stopped at 18,000 feet for a snack and water, we thought the worst was over, but that wasn’t the case. The next 500 feet were very rocky and slippery, and that along with the very thin air meant we had to take three or four steps before needing to stop for a break. Like having a bag over your head and pulling for each breath. Finally, we reached the craters ridge and were very happy. These are remnants of glaciers that once covered this entire valley. The whole valley was snow-covered and looked like we were walking in a desert. When we arrived, we were not allowed to lie down in our tents for about a good hour because we needed to let our bodies acclimate to the thin air at 18,600 feet. After that, we enjoyed a well-deserved nap before an early dinner because we would be getting up again at 4 AM to <em>climb to the top of Kilimanjaro!</em>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/16-500-feet-to-18-400\"><strong>See Photos</strong></a></p>\r\n\r\n<h2>Day Seven Hike</h2>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_2282\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"397\"]<img class=\"size-full wp-image-2282\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/summit-19341-7.jpg\" alt=\"Summit 19,341 (7)\" width=\"397\" height=\"310\" /> Summit 19,341[/caption]\r\n\r\nThe night was extremely cold, with ground temperatures probably down to zero degrees Fahrenheit. We did everything to keep ourselves warm! I laid my down jacket on top of my sleeping bag (which was rated to zero degrees), plus I had a liner inside the sleeping bag which gave me an additional 25 degrees of warmth. I am definitely not a cold weather person but with the right gear, it was not too bad.\r\nWe were woken up at 4 AM. After eating and packing our stuff ( only our personal things; the Sherpa took care of the sleeping bag and tent each morning and night, we were off for a 75-minute climb, basically straight up and extremely cold. Fortunately, I had bought the best mittens ever and my hands were not cold. Nonetheless, my legs and face took the brunt of it, and we moved very, very slowly. 10 feet could take several minutes. After a very hard, straight-up climbing, we had to cross a flat plane to the actual top of the mountain. The wind was blowing like crazy. The air temp was around minus 10 Fahrenheit with the wind chill probably down to negative 45 or 50 Fahrenheit. But all 6 of us had made it. It was a special feeling…an unbelievable feeling!\r\n\r\nI always carry some ashes of my parents no matter where I travel in this world. And since this was a very special place, I quietly said a prayer, took off my mittens (brrr), and sprinkled some of their ashes at the top. They had made it the whole way with me!\r\n\r\nWe took our pictures and then had to get going due to the intense winds and brutal cold. Fortunately, we summited very early and there were only one or two other groups at the top. Later on, there would be at least 50-100 people. We saw a gorgeous sunrise since it was only about 7 in the morning. We were almost on the equator, and sunrise and sunsets are always at around 6:30 without much variation from season to season.\r\nImmediately, once we started to go down, we could feel the release of pressure in our lungs and chest. The descent and decreasing pressure made it a lot easier on our lungs, plus it was now all downhill. After an hour or two, our quads really felt it, and we would be walking downhill for the next 5 to 6 hours!\r\nWe did stop for a small break for some lunch, but our appetite was low due to altitude. Several of the hikers experienced altitude sickness on the way up, with nausea, diarrhea, headaches loss of appetite, and weakness. But it was worse for me while descending, but fortunately, I had only lost my appetite with slight nausea and it lasted only for a short period of time. Anyway, we finally made it to camp at 10,500 feet. The weather was really nice and a bit warmer, between about 45 to 50 degrees or more. What a difference from the night before! We all had a good meal and rested, as we had been hiking downhill for over 8 hours, and all of our legs were extremely tired.\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/Hiking-to-the-summit-19-341-feet\"><strong>See Photos</strong></a></p>\r\n\r\n<h3>Day Eight Hike</h3>\r\n<img class=\"alignright\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Sunriseuptop-3.jpg\" />\r\n\r\nWe woke up at 6:30 AM, which was a big difference from 4 AM. Today would be our last night, and we would be saying goodbye to all the Sherpas and guides. Only the guides would continue with us. I volunteered to be the spokesperson of the group, which meant I would be collecting the tip money and giving a short speech.\r\n\r\nAfter breakfast, the 40 or so sherpas gathered around singing and dancing. I actually joined them in the dancing, which I have a video of. I was very tired, but it was still worth it. I gave a 3-minute speech thanking every one of them for all of their hard work and dedication, and telling them that their help, whether by carrying a table, carrying sleeping bags, setting up tents, preparing food and everything else they did for us, was all very special and helped us so much.\r\n\r\nWe then set off for our last 6 to 7-hour hike downhill. Although it was not very steep, it was a dried-up river bed that was full of rocks and stones, making footing uneasy, and causing our quads to be even more on fire. But we knew the end was coming, so we just kept going. We stopped for lunch and continued on. After about 7 hours, we saw the base camp. Nothing could be sweeter! I signed out at the Ranger station and basically collapsed into the waiting truck. There were a lot of campers and hikers ending in this same area, so they drove us about 20 minutes away.\r\n\r\nWe had some lunch and then drove the rest of the way back to the lodge, which was a beautiful hotel about half an hour outside of Arusha on an old coffee plantation. Everybody had their own cabin. For the first time in 9 days, I took a shower. It was wonderful! Then we all gathered with the two guides and I said a few more words to represent the group. We had a nice dinner, and then two people left for the airport by 7 PM. That night, was my first night of sleep in a bed, after 9 days. It was fantastic! The mission was accomplished!\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/Sunrise-up-top-and-heading-down\"><strong>See Photos</strong></a>\r\n<h2>Kilimanjaro Was Amazing!</h2>\r\n<img class=\"size-full wp-image-2213\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/klimanjaro-5.jpg\" alt=\"Klimanjaro (5)\" width=\"128\" height=\"128\" />\r\n\r\nEven though the trip was not exactly as described in the pamphlet, it was something I had had on my bucket list for over 10 years. It was extremely difficult at times. Some of our hikers had difficulty even moving and needed assistance. But we all persevered. I\'ve done 10 Ironman races so far (now 11!), which require monumental training. But the long hike up to the crater from 16,800 feet to 18,400, with the subsequent day of summiting, followed by the 9,000-foot descent, were some of the hardest things that I\'ve ever done. And that includes all my Ironman competitions.\r\n\r\nYou just can\'t imagine what it\'s like trying to move at that altitude. As I said before, it is similar to having a paper bag over your head and trying to grasp for air. There were times I took two or three steps and then had to pause for 15 or 20 seconds just to get my heart rate and breathing back down, repeating that again and again and again. Never looking ahead, only down, because sometimes ten feet took 45-60 seconds to cross. All this while enduring the sub-freezing temperature, the blowing snow, and the wind chill factors. Nothing but grit and determination to keep you going. But the views were spectacular and the feeling of being literally on top of the world made it all worth it.\r\n\r\nI\'ll continue to enjoy my Ironman triathlons and continue to do them as long as I can. But as far as hiking up a mountain to 19,341 feet, this will be my one and only time! It\'s a tremendous accomplishment, but something I would not want to repeat.\r\n\r\n<img class=\"aligncenter\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/final-goodbyes-1.jpg\" />\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/Final-goodbyes-and-certificates\"><strong>See Photos</strong></a></p>\r\n[video poster=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Dancing.png\" width=\"352\" height=\"640\" mp4=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/DANCING-v3.mp4\"][/video]\r\n<h3></h3>\r\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\">Thank You to Everyone Who Made Kilimanjaro A Possibility!</h3>\r\nThank you to everyone that sent me well wishes before, during, and after my climb. It meant so much!\r\n\r\nI also thank my parents who gave me the will and determination to achieve all the goals in my life, no matter how hard they are.\r\nThey always ingrained this determination in me and encouraged me to just put my head down and keep going to achieve my goals.\r\nAs I said above, they were with me the whole way and always will be.\r\n\r\nThank you for taking the time to read this. I hope this will inspire you that if a goal is desired, to just put your head down and keep going no matter how difficult it may seem.\r\n\r\n<strong>Peter A. Fields, MD, DC </strong>\r\n<strong>The Athletic Doc<sup>®</sup></strong>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/about/the-athletic-doc/about-the-athletic-doc/\">Click here</a> to find out more about <strong>The Athletic Doc<sup>® </sup></strong>','Report of My Kilimanjaro Climb','','inherit','closed','closed','','2208-revision-v1','','','2021-08-27 20:09:50','2021-08-27 20:09:50','',2208,'https://www.drfields.com/?p=4855',0,'revision','',0),(4856,9,'2021-08-27 20:14:33','2021-08-27 20:14:33','Thumbnail','Thumbnail','Celebratory Dance After the Kilimanjaro Climb','inherit','open','closed','','thumbnail','','','2021-08-27 20:15:06','2021-08-27 20:15:06','',2208,'https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/thumbnail.png',0,'attachment','image/png',0);
INSERT INTO `wp_posts` VALUES (4857,9,'2021-08-27 20:15:57','2021-08-27 20:15:57','<h1>Report of My Kilimanjaro Climb (late by two years!)</h1>\r\n<em>By Peter A. Fields, MD, DC</em>\r\n\r\nAfter waiting ten years with this on my bucket list, I finally was going to climb Kilimanjaro.\r\n<h3>Getting to Mount Kilimanjaro</h3>\r\n<img class=\"alignleft\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/klimanjaro-8.jpg\" alt=\"\" />\r\n\r\nThe trip to Kilimanjaro began with an 11-hour flight to London where I had a 36-hour layover. Saw \"Tina, The Musical\" (life and times of Tina Truner). Great show.  Then 9 ½ hour flight to Nairobi, where I spent 24 hours so I was able to see the city. Then a one-hour flight to Kilimanjaro, Tanzania. My arrival at Kilimanjaro airport was on Sunday night. This was followed by a two-and-a-half-hour ride, with half of it on a very bumpy dirt road, before reaching the destination at the base camp. Since it was almost midnight, I went straight to my tent, which was quite luxurious for camping, and included a sink, a bathroom, and even a shower. I took advantage of a quick shower and went straight to bed.\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/Day-1-Kiliminaro-and-base-camp-arrival\"><strong>See Photos</strong></a></p>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<h3>Pre-Climb Hike</h3>\r\n<img class=\"alignleft\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/klimanjaro-9.jpg\" alt=\"\" />\r\n\r\nAfter a nice breakfast, where I met the other climbers and our trek leaders, we went for a short two-hour hike just to see the local terrain. It was beautiful, with waterfalls and lots of lush plants and greenery. The guide leader went through our entire pack to make sure that we would be taking everything we needed and that everything was in good shape. The rest of the day was just spent relaxing, except for a short sunset hike of 10 minutes, where at the top of the small hill they had wine waiting for us. A pleasant surprise.\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/Finally-hiking\"><strong>See Photos</strong></a></p>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<h3>First Day Hike Towards Kilimanjaro</h3>\r\n<img class=\"alignleft\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/killi-trailhead-4.jpg\" /><img class=\"alignleft\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/killi-trailhead-3.jpg\" /><img class=\"alignleft\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/killi-trailhead-2.jpg\" />\r\n\r\nAfter a two-hour ride, we arrived at the check-in point. The weather was hot enough to wear shorts and t-shirts since we were only 3 degrees off the equator. There we saw the more than 45 plus Sherpa’s that would accompany us. There were six Sherpa’s( there were six hikers) to carry each person\'s clothing (colder weather gear, nighttime clothes, toiletries, etc.). Then six to carry our bedding, and tents ( double roofed for better rain protection), six would carry our food for 7 days ( three full meals a day), eight of them made up the kitchen team, another team of two would carry the oxygen and medicine, four to carry the toilets and tents over them, plus about 10 other Sherpa’s would carry all the tents, tables and chairs. There were also 10 more to carry all of the sherpa’s food and equipment.\r\n\r\nWe had to register and show our passports, and after that, we took a short 20-minute drive to the trailhead. Arriving at noon, a very nice, well-prepared lunch was ready for us. We started the hike at 7700 feet and climbed to 9300 feet. The area was mostly jungle-like, with a lot of fantastic plants, birds and other exotic wildlife, including Colobus monkeys and other animals. When we arrived at the camp at 9300 feet, the tents were already set up, and we unpacked our gear in each individual tent, had dinner, and went to sleep.\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/Kili-Getting-to-the-trailhead\"><strong>See Photos</strong></a></p>\r\n\r\n<h3>Second Day Hike</h3>\r\nAt 6:30 AM we were woken up with a hot bowl of water to wash up and get ready for the day. A very full breakfast was prepared for us and then we started off to hike again. For hiking, it’s important to eat three square meals a day as well as drink a minimum of three liters of water a day. Without this exhaustion, dehydration, and more can happen. The guides made sure that we would eat a lot and consume lots of water.\r\n\r\nWe headed off on our hike up to 11,400 feet, crossing from the Montane Forest into the Hagenia Zone, where we saw many different plants and beautiful trees throughout the canyon.\r\n\r\nI felt pretty good, as I had taken Diamox, a medicine to help prevent altitude sickness. I had a Camelback-style drinking system so I was drinking copious amounts of water. At night it was cold but with the proper gear (well worth the expense!), I felt warm.\r\n<h3>Day Three Hike</h3>\r\nWe had another early wake-up call today and another substantial breakfast (scrambled eggs, toast, pancakes, fruit, toast, jelly, peanut butter, tea/coffee, and more. We hiked across a large plateau and gained about 2,100 feet in altitude. It was very interesting as we passed into the upper heath zone, where there were no more trees here, just a lot of different plants. And lots of volcanic rock (the last active volcano here took place over 10,000 years ago).\r\n\r\nThe hiking was very slow and consistent, as they say in Swahili, “Poli, Poli.” Again I felt very good when arriving at Moir camp at 13,500 feet. We had beautiful views of the mountain as the clouds moved away. It was really spectacular!\r\n<h3>Day Four Hike</h3>\r\n<img class=\"alignleft\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/klimanjaro-2.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"170\" height=\"226\" /><img class=\"alignleft\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Kilihiking15000-4.jpg\" width=\"423\" height=\"238\" />\r\n\r\nWe woke up again at 6:30 AM, had breakfast at 7 and were hiking by 7:30. Today was a shorter hike of only 3.1 miles, but we did climb 2000 feet. It was slow in some parts and the steep sections were even slower. Finally, we arrived at camp after hiking for only 2 hours and 20 minutes. We were now at 15,500 feet. The air is very thin, so with every step you take you to think about it. But when we arrived at camp, everything seemed to settle down. During the afternoon there was a hale storm that turned into snow, so everybody went into their tents. I probably took a 3-hour well-needed nap. After a good dinner, we all went to bed, but not until we viewed the beautiful skies at 15,500 feet in the southern hemisphere.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/Kili-Hiking-to-15000-feet\"><strong>See Photos</strong></a></p>\r\n\r\n<h3>Day Five Hike</h3>\r\n<img class=\"alignleft\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/klimanjaro-3.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"128\" height=\"170\" />\r\n\r\nWe had the usual wake-up call at 6:30 AM and were on the road by 7:30. It snowed during the night, but only half an inch or so, making everything white and beautiful. The good news is this meant it was right around 32 degrees. The sun came out, so it was warm when we hiked but a little bit cooler when clouds were overhead. Plus with the altitude (lots of breathing) and hiking effort, one was rarely cold. Today\'s hike was only one thousand feet of climbing and a short hike to the base camp. The big hike tomorrow will only be about an hour and 20 minutes, but it will be over a lot of rocks and boulders and will be steep in some places. We arrived at the base camp around\r\n10:30 - 11 in the morning. We were supposed to go for a short hike from there without our packs but it started snowing for over an hour, so that was canceled. Tomorrow morning, we will have a 4 AM wake-up call in anticipation of a 2,300-foot elevation climb up to18,650 feet.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<h3>Day Six Hike</h3>\r\n<img class=\"alignleft\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/16500-18400-12.jpg\" /><img class=\"alignright\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/16500-18400-13.jpg\" />\r\n\r\nWake-up call at 4 AM and breakfast at 4:30. The slow group left at 5. We (my hiking partner, myself and our guide) left about 5:30. At this altitude of over 16,000 feet, everyone moves very slowly. The first little part was steep and slightly snow-covered, but then it got extremely steep and no longer covered in snow. We climbed 2,400 feet over 2.6 miles. The first hour was in the dark, but we all had headlamps. It was very rocky and we had to use our hands sometimes to climb. We ran into a few other tours on the trail and all of us had to cut across a mountainside since the snow had obliterated the trail the night before. We were now over 17, 000 feet. One of the guides from another tour (all the guides know each other) had a pickaxe and so he chopped thru the snow to make it easier on our footing. Even so, it was very slippery. There were times we had to use all four extremities to climb, even kneeling on the next step up because the step was too high to reach with our foot. Breathing was becoming more and more labored and it was difficult to catch our breath in the thinning air. When we stopped at 18,000 feet for a snack and water, we thought the worst was over, but that wasn’t the case. The next 500 feet were very rocky and slippery, and that along with the very thin air meant we had to take three or four steps before needing to stop for a break. Like having a bag over your head and pulling for each breath. Finally, we reached the craters ridge and were very happy. These are remnants of glaciers that once covered this entire valley. The whole valley was snow-covered and looked like we were walking in a desert. When we arrived, we were not allowed to lie down in our tents for about a good hour because we needed to let our bodies acclimate to the thin air at 18,600 feet. After that, we enjoyed a well-deserved nap before an early dinner because we would be getting up again at 4 AM to <em>climb to the top of Kilimanjaro!</em>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/16-500-feet-to-18-400\"><strong>See Photos</strong></a></p>\r\n\r\n<h2>Day Seven Hike</h2>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_2282\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"397\"]<img class=\"size-full wp-image-2282\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/summit-19341-7.jpg\" alt=\"Summit 19,341 (7)\" width=\"397\" height=\"310\" /> Summit 19,341[/caption]\r\n\r\nThe night was extremely cold, with ground temperatures probably down to zero degrees Fahrenheit. We did everything to keep ourselves warm! I laid my down jacket on top of my sleeping bag (which was rated to zero degrees), plus I had a liner inside the sleeping bag which gave me an additional 25 degrees of warmth. I am definitely not a cold weather person but with the right gear, it was not too bad.\r\nWe were woken up at 4 AM. After eating and packing our stuff ( only our personal things; the Sherpa took care of the sleeping bag and tent each morning and night, we were off for a 75-minute climb, basically straight up and extremely cold. Fortunately, I had bought the best mittens ever and my hands were not cold. Nonetheless, my legs and face took the brunt of it, and we moved very, very slowly. 10 feet could take several minutes. After a very hard, straight-up climbing, we had to cross a flat plane to the actual top of the mountain. The wind was blowing like crazy. The air temp was around minus 10 Fahrenheit with the wind chill probably down to negative 45 or 50 Fahrenheit. But all 6 of us had made it. It was a special feeling…an unbelievable feeling!\r\n\r\nI always carry some ashes of my parents no matter where I travel in this world. And since this was a very special place, I quietly said a prayer, took off my mittens (brrr), and sprinkled some of their ashes at the top. They had made it the whole way with me!\r\n\r\nWe took our pictures and then had to get going due to the intense winds and brutal cold. Fortunately, we summited very early and there were only one or two other groups at the top. Later on, there would be at least 50-100 people. We saw a gorgeous sunrise since it was only about 7 in the morning. We were almost on the equator, and sunrise and sunsets are always at around 6:30 without much variation from season to season.\r\nImmediately, once we started to go down, we could feel the release of pressure in our lungs and chest. The descent and decreasing pressure made it a lot easier on our lungs, plus it was now all downhill. After an hour or two, our quads really felt it, and we would be walking downhill for the next 5 to 6 hours!\r\nWe did stop for a small break for some lunch, but our appetite was low due to altitude. Several of the hikers experienced altitude sickness on the way up, with nausea, diarrhea, headaches loss of appetite, and weakness. But it was worse for me while descending, but fortunately, I had only lost my appetite with slight nausea and it lasted only for a short period of time. Anyway, we finally made it to camp at 10,500 feet. The weather was really nice and a bit warmer, between about 45 to 50 degrees or more. What a difference from the night before! We all had a good meal and rested, as we had been hiking downhill for over 8 hours, and all of our legs were extremely tired.\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/Hiking-to-the-summit-19-341-feet\"><strong>See Photos</strong></a></p>\r\n\r\n<h3>Day Eight Hike</h3>\r\n<img class=\"alignright\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Sunriseuptop-3.jpg\" />\r\n\r\nWe woke up at 6:30 AM, which was a big difference from 4 AM. Today would be our last night, and we would be saying goodbye to all the Sherpas and guides. Only the guides would continue with us. I volunteered to be the spokesperson of the group, which meant I would be collecting the tip money and giving a short speech.\r\n\r\nAfter breakfast, the 40 or so sherpas gathered around singing and dancing. I actually joined them in the dancing, which I have a video of. I was very tired, but it was still worth it. I gave a 3-minute speech thanking every one of them for all of their hard work and dedication, and telling them that their help, whether by carrying a table, carrying sleeping bags, setting up tents, preparing food and everything else they did for us, was all very special and helped us so much.\r\n\r\nWe then set off for our last 6 to 7-hour hike downhill. Although it was not very steep, it was a dried-up river bed that was full of rocks and stones, making footing uneasy, and causing our quads to be even more on fire. But we knew the end was coming, so we just kept going. We stopped for lunch and continued on. After about 7 hours, we saw the base camp. Nothing could be sweeter! I signed out at the Ranger station and basically collapsed into the waiting truck. There were a lot of campers and hikers ending in this same area, so they drove us about 20 minutes away.\r\n\r\nWe had some lunch and then drove the rest of the way back to the lodge, which was a beautiful hotel about half an hour outside of Arusha on an old coffee plantation. Everybody had their own cabin. For the first time in 9 days, I took a shower. It was wonderful! Then we all gathered with the two guides and I said a few more words to represent the group. We had a nice dinner, and then two people left for the airport by 7 PM. That night, was my first night of sleep in a bed, after 9 days. It was fantastic! The mission was accomplished!\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/Sunrise-up-top-and-heading-down\"><strong>See Photos</strong></a>\r\n<h2>Kilimanjaro Was Amazing!</h2>\r\n<img class=\"size-full wp-image-2213\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/klimanjaro-5.jpg\" alt=\"Klimanjaro (5)\" width=\"128\" height=\"128\" />\r\n\r\nEven though the trip was not exactly as described in the pamphlet, it was something I had had on my bucket list for over 10 years. It was extremely difficult at times. Some of our hikers had difficulty even moving and needed assistance. But we all persevered. I\'ve done 10 Ironman races so far (now 11!), which require monumental training. But the long hike up to the crater from 16,800 feet to 18,400, with the subsequent day of summiting, followed by the 9,000-foot descent, were some of the hardest things that I\'ve ever done. And that includes all my Ironman competitions.\r\n\r\nYou just can\'t imagine what it\'s like trying to move at that altitude. As I said before, it is similar to having a paper bag over your head and trying to grasp for air. There were times I took two or three steps and then had to pause for 15 or 20 seconds just to get my heart rate and breathing back down, repeating that again and again and again. Never looking ahead, only down, because sometimes ten feet took 45-60 seconds to cross. All this while enduring the sub-freezing temperature, the blowing snow, and the wind chill factors. Nothing but grit and determination to keep you going. But the views were spectacular and the feeling of being literally on top of the world made it all worth it.\r\n\r\nI\'ll continue to enjoy my Ironman triathlons and continue to do them as long as I can. But as far as hiking up a mountain to 19,341 feet, this will be my one and only time! It\'s a tremendous accomplishment, but something I would not want to repeat.\r\n\r\n<img class=\"aligncenter\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/final-goodbyes-1.jpg\" />\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/Final-goodbyes-and-certificates\"><strong>See Photos</strong></a></p>\r\n[video poster=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/thumbnail.png\" width=\"352\" height=\"640\" mp4=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/DANCING-v3.mp4\"][/video]\r\n<h3></h3>\r\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\">Thank You to Everyone Who Made Kilimanjaro A Possibility!</h3>\r\nThank you to everyone that sent me well wishes before, during, and after my climb. It meant so much!\r\n\r\nI also thank my parents who gave me the will and determination to achieve all the goals in my life, no matter how hard they are.\r\nThey always ingrained this determination in me and encouraged me to just put my head down and keep going to achieve my goals.\r\nAs I said above, they were with me the whole way and always will be.\r\n\r\nThank you for taking the time to read this. I hope this will inspire you that if a goal is desired, to just put your head down and keep going no matter how difficult it may seem.\r\n\r\n<strong>Peter A. Fields, MD, DC </strong>\r\n<strong>The Athletic Doc<sup>®</sup></strong>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/about/the-athletic-doc/about-the-athletic-doc/\">Click here</a> to find out more about <strong>The Athletic Doc<sup>® </sup></strong>','Report of My Kilimanjaro Climb','','inherit','closed','closed','','2208-revision-v1','','','2021-08-27 20:15:57','2021-08-27 20:15:57','',2208,'https://www.drfields.com/?p=4857',0,'revision','',0),(4858,9,'2021-08-27 20:17:35','2021-08-27 20:17:35','<h1>Report of My Kilimanjaro Climb (late by two years!)</h1>\r\n<em>By Peter A. Fields, MD, DC</em>\r\n\r\nAfter waiting ten years with this on my bucket list, I finally was going to climb Kilimanjaro.\r\n<h3>Getting to Mount Kilimanjaro</h3>\r\n<img class=\"alignleft\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/klimanjaro-8.jpg\" alt=\"\" />\r\n\r\nThe trip to Kilimanjaro began with an 11-hour flight to London where I had a 36-hour layover. Saw \"Tina, The Musical\" (life and times of Tina Truner). Great show.  Then 9 ½ hour flight to Nairobi, where I spent 24 hours so I was able to see the city. Then a one-hour flight to Kilimanjaro, Tanzania. My arrival at Kilimanjaro airport was on Sunday night. This was followed by a two-and-a-half-hour ride, with half of it on a very bumpy dirt road, before reaching the destination at the base camp. Since it was almost midnight, I went straight to my tent, which was quite luxurious for camping, and included a sink, a bathroom, and even a shower. I took advantage of a quick shower and went straight to bed.\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/Day-1-Kiliminaro-and-base-camp-arrival\"><strong>See Photos</strong></a></p>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<h3>Pre-Climb Hike</h3>\r\n<img class=\"alignleft\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/klimanjaro-9.jpg\" alt=\"\" />\r\n\r\nAfter a nice breakfast, where I met the other climbers and our trek leaders, we went for a short two-hour hike just to see the local terrain. It was beautiful, with waterfalls and lots of lush plants and greenery. The guide leader went through our entire pack to make sure that we would be taking everything we needed and that everything was in good shape. The rest of the day was just spent relaxing, except for a short sunset hike of 10 minutes, where at the top of the small hill they had wine waiting for us. A pleasant surprise.\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/Finally-hiking\"><strong>See Photos</strong></a></p>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<h3>First Day Hike Towards Kilimanjaro</h3>\r\n<img class=\"alignleft\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/killi-trailhead-4.jpg\" /><img class=\"alignleft\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/killi-trailhead-3.jpg\" /><img class=\"alignleft\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/killi-trailhead-2.jpg\" />\r\n\r\nAfter a two-hour ride, we arrived at the check-in point. The weather was hot enough to wear shorts and t-shirts since we were only 3 degrees off the equator. There we saw the more than 45 plus Sherpa’s that would accompany us. There were six Sherpa’s( there were six hikers) to carry each person\'s clothing (colder weather gear, nighttime clothes, toiletries, etc.). Then six to carry our bedding, and tents ( double roofed for better rain protection), six would carry our food for 7 days ( three full meals a day), eight of them made up the kitchen team, another team of two would carry the oxygen and medicine, four to carry the toilets and tents over them, plus about 10 other Sherpa’s would carry all the tents, tables and chairs. There were also 10 more to carry all of the sherpa’s food and equipment.\r\n\r\nWe had to register and show our passports, and after that, we took a short 20-minute drive to the trailhead. Arriving at noon, a very nice, well-prepared lunch was ready for us. We started the hike at 7700 feet and climbed to 9300 feet. The area was mostly jungle-like, with a lot of fantastic plants, birds and other exotic wildlife, including Colobus monkeys and other animals. When we arrived at the camp at 9300 feet, the tents were already set up, and we unpacked our gear in each individual tent, had dinner, and went to sleep.\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/Kili-Getting-to-the-trailhead\"><strong>See Photos</strong></a></p>\r\n\r\n<h3>Second Day Hike</h3>\r\nAt 6:30 AM we were woken up with a hot bowl of water to wash up and get ready for the day. A very full breakfast was prepared for us and then we started off to hike again. For hiking, it’s important to eat three square meals a day as well as drink a minimum of three liters of water a day. Without this exhaustion, dehydration, and more can happen. The guides made sure that we would eat a lot and consume lots of water.\r\n\r\nWe headed off on our hike up to 11,400 feet, crossing from the Montane Forest into the Hagenia Zone, where we saw many different plants and beautiful trees throughout the canyon.\r\n\r\nI felt pretty good, as I had taken Diamox, a medicine to help prevent altitude sickness. I had a Camelback-style drinking system so I was drinking copious amounts of water. At night it was cold but with the proper gear (well worth the expense!), I felt warm.\r\n<h3>Day Three Hike</h3>\r\nWe had another early wake-up call today and another substantial breakfast (scrambled eggs, toast, pancakes, fruit, toast, jelly, peanut butter, tea/coffee, and more. We hiked across a large plateau and gained about 2,100 feet in altitude. It was very interesting as we passed into the upper heath zone, where there were no more trees here, just a lot of different plants. And lots of volcanic rock (the last active volcano here took place over 10,000 years ago).\r\n\r\nThe hiking was very slow and consistent, as they say in Swahili, “Poli, Poli.” Again I felt very good when arriving at Moir camp at 13,500 feet. We had beautiful views of the mountain as the clouds moved away. It was really spectacular!\r\n<h3>Day Four Hike</h3>\r\n<img class=\"alignleft\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/klimanjaro-2.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"170\" height=\"226\" /><img class=\"alignleft\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Kilihiking15000-4.jpg\" width=\"423\" height=\"238\" />\r\n\r\nWe woke up again at 6:30 AM, had breakfast at 7 and were hiking by 7:30. Today was a shorter hike of only 3.1 miles, but we did climb 2000 feet. It was slow in some parts and the steep sections were even slower. Finally, we arrived at camp after hiking for only 2 hours and 20 minutes. We were now at 15,500 feet. The air is very thin, so with every step you take you to think about it. But when we arrived at camp, everything seemed to settle down. During the afternoon there was a hale storm that turned into snow, so everybody went into their tents. I probably took a 3-hour well-needed nap. After a good dinner, we all went to bed, but not until we viewed the beautiful skies at 15,500 feet in the southern hemisphere.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/Kili-Hiking-to-15000-feet\"><strong>See Photos</strong></a></p>\r\n\r\n<h3>Day Five Hike</h3>\r\n<img class=\"alignleft\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/klimanjaro-3.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"128\" height=\"170\" />\r\n\r\nWe had the usual wake-up call at 6:30 AM and were on the road by 7:30. It snowed during the night, but only half an inch or so, making everything white and beautiful. The good news is this meant it was right around 32 degrees. The sun came out, so it was warm when we hiked but a little bit cooler when clouds were overhead. Plus with the altitude (lots of breathing) and hiking effort, one was rarely cold. Today\'s hike was only one thousand feet of climbing and a short hike to the base camp. The big hike tomorrow will only be about an hour and 20 minutes, but it will be over a lot of rocks and boulders and will be steep in some places. We arrived at the base camp around\r\n10:30 - 11 in the morning. We were supposed to go for a short hike from there without our packs but it started snowing for over an hour, so that was canceled. Tomorrow morning, we will have a 4 AM wake-up call in anticipation of a 2,300-foot elevation climb up to18,650 feet.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<h3>Day Six Hike</h3>\r\n<img class=\"alignleft\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/16500-18400-12.jpg\" /><img class=\"alignright\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/16500-18400-13.jpg\" />\r\n\r\nWake-up call at 4 AM and breakfast at 4:30. The slow group left at 5. We (my hiking partner, myself and our guide) left about 5:30. At this altitude of over 16,000 feet, everyone moves very slowly. The first little part was steep and slightly snow-covered, but then it got extremely steep and no longer covered in snow. We climbed 2,400 feet over 2.6 miles. The first hour was in the dark, but we all had headlamps. It was very rocky and we had to use our hands sometimes to climb. We ran into a few other tours on the trail and all of us had to cut across a mountainside since the snow had obliterated the trail the night before. We were now over 17, 000 feet. One of the guides from another tour (all the guides know each other) had a pickaxe and so he chopped thru the snow to make it easier on our footing. Even so, it was very slippery. There were times we had to use all four extremities to climb, even kneeling on the next step up because the step was too high to reach with our foot. Breathing was becoming more and more labored and it was difficult to catch our breath in the thinning air. When we stopped at 18,000 feet for a snack and water, we thought the worst was over, but that wasn’t the case. The next 500 feet were very rocky and slippery, and that along with the very thin air meant we had to take three or four steps before needing to stop for a break. Like having a bag over your head and pulling for each breath. Finally, we reached the craters ridge and were very happy. These are remnants of glaciers that once covered this entire valley. The whole valley was snow-covered and looked like we were walking in a desert. When we arrived, we were not allowed to lie down in our tents for about a good hour because we needed to let our bodies acclimate to the thin air at 18,600 feet. After that, we enjoyed a well-deserved nap before an early dinner because we would be getting up again at 4 AM to <em>climb to the top of Kilimanjaro!</em>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/16-500-feet-to-18-400\"><strong>See Photos</strong></a></p>\r\n\r\n<h2>Day Seven Hike</h2>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_2282\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"397\"]<img class=\"size-full wp-image-2282\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/summit-19341-7.jpg\" alt=\"Summit 19,341 (7)\" width=\"397\" height=\"310\" /> Summit 19,341[/caption]\r\n\r\nThe night was extremely cold, with ground temperatures probably down to zero degrees Fahrenheit. We did everything to keep ourselves warm! I laid my down jacket on top of my sleeping bag (which was rated to zero degrees), plus I had a liner inside the sleeping bag which gave me an additional 25 degrees of warmth. I am definitely not a cold weather person but with the right gear, it was not too bad.\r\nWe were woken up at 4 AM. After eating and packing our stuff ( only our personal things; the Sherpa took care of the sleeping bag and tent each morning and night, we were off for a 75-minute climb, basically straight up and extremely cold. Fortunately, I had bought the best mittens ever and my hands were not cold. Nonetheless, my legs and face took the brunt of it, and we moved very, very slowly. 10 feet could take several minutes. After a very hard, straight-up climbing, we had to cross a flat plane to the actual top of the mountain. The wind was blowing like crazy. The air temp was around minus 10 Fahrenheit with the wind chill probably down to negative 45 or 50 Fahrenheit. But all 6 of us had made it. It was a special feeling…an unbelievable feeling!\r\n\r\nI always carry some ashes of my parents no matter where I travel in this world. And since this was a very special place, I quietly said a prayer, took off my mittens (brrr), and sprinkled some of their ashes at the top. They had made it the whole way with me!\r\n\r\nWe took our pictures and then had to get going due to the intense winds and brutal cold. Fortunately, we summited very early and there were only one or two other groups at the top. Later on, there would be at least 50-100 people. We saw a gorgeous sunrise since it was only about 7 in the morning. We were almost on the equator, and sunrise and sunsets are always at around 6:30 without much variation from season to season.\r\nImmediately, once we started to go down, we could feel the release of pressure in our lungs and chest. The descent and decreasing pressure made it a lot easier on our lungs, plus it was now all downhill. After an hour or two, our quads really felt it, and we would be walking downhill for the next 5 to 6 hours!\r\nWe did stop for a small break for some lunch, but our appetite was low due to altitude. Several of the hikers experienced altitude sickness on the way up, with nausea, diarrhea, headaches loss of appetite, and weakness. But it was worse for me while descending, but fortunately, I had only lost my appetite with slight nausea and it lasted only for a short period of time. Anyway, we finally made it to camp at 10,500 feet. The weather was really nice and a bit warmer, between about 45 to 50 degrees or more. What a difference from the night before! We all had a good meal and rested, as we had been hiking downhill for over 8 hours, and all of our legs were extremely tired.\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/Hiking-to-the-summit-19-341-feet\"><strong>See Photos</strong></a></p>\r\n\r\n<h3>Day Eight Hike</h3>\r\n<img class=\"alignright\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Sunriseuptop-3.jpg\" />\r\n\r\nWe woke up at 6:30 AM, which was a big difference from 4 AM. Today would be our last night, and we would be saying goodbye to all the Sherpas and guides. Only the guides would continue with us. I volunteered to be the spokesperson of the group, which meant I would be collecting the tip money and giving a short speech.\r\n\r\nAfter breakfast, the 40 or so sherpas gathered around singing and dancing. I actually joined them in the dancing, which I have a video of. I was very tired, but it was still worth it. I gave a 3-minute speech thanking every one of them for all of their hard work and dedication, and telling them that their help, whether by carrying a table, carrying sleeping bags, setting up tents, preparing food and everything else they did for us, was all very special and helped us so much.\r\n\r\nWe then set off for our last 6 to 7-hour hike downhill. Although it was not very steep, it was a dried-up river bed that was full of rocks and stones, making footing uneasy, and causing our quads to be even more on fire. But we knew the end was coming, so we just kept going. We stopped for lunch and continued on. After about 7 hours, we saw the base camp. Nothing could be sweeter! I signed out at the Ranger station and basically collapsed into the waiting truck. There were a lot of campers and hikers ending in this same area, so they drove us about 20 minutes away.\r\n\r\nWe had some lunch and then drove the rest of the way back to the lodge, which was a beautiful hotel about half an hour outside of Arusha on an old coffee plantation. Everybody had their own cabin. For the first time in 9 days, I took a shower. It was wonderful! Then we all gathered with the two guides and I said a few more words to represent the group. We had a nice dinner, and then two people left for the airport by 7 PM. That night, was my first night of sleep in a bed, after 9 days. It was fantastic! The mission was accomplished!\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/Sunrise-up-top-and-heading-down\"><strong>See Photos</strong></a>\r\n<h2>Kilimanjaro Was Amazing!</h2>\r\n<img class=\"size-full wp-image-2213\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/klimanjaro-5.jpg\" alt=\"Klimanjaro (5)\" width=\"128\" height=\"128\" />\r\n\r\nEven though the trip was not exactly as described in the pamphlet, it was something I had had on my bucket list for over 10 years. It was extremely difficult at times. Some of our hikers had difficulty even moving and needed assistance. But we all persevered. I\'ve done 10 Ironman races so far (now 11!), which require monumental training. But the long hike up to the crater from 16,800 feet to 18,400, with the subsequent day of summiting, followed by the 9,000-foot descent, were some of the hardest things that I\'ve ever done. And that includes all my Ironman competitions.\r\n\r\nYou just can\'t imagine what it\'s like trying to move at that altitude. As I said before, it is similar to having a paper bag over your head and trying to grasp for air. There were times I took two or three steps and then had to pause for 15 or 20 seconds just to get my heart rate and breathing back down, repeating that again and again and again. Never looking ahead, only down, because sometimes ten feet took 45-60 seconds to cross. All this while enduring the sub-freezing temperature, the blowing snow, and the wind chill factors. Nothing but grit and determination to keep you going. But the views were spectacular and the feeling of being literally on top of the world made it all worth it.\r\n\r\nI\'ll continue to enjoy my Ironman triathlons and continue to do them as long as I can. But as far as hiking up a mountain to 19,341 feet, this will be my one and only time! It\'s a tremendous accomplishment, but something I would not want to repeat.\r\n\r\n<img class=\"aligncenter\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/final-goodbyes-1.jpg\" />\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/Final-goodbyes-and-certificates\"><strong>See Photos</strong></a></p>\r\n[video poster=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Dancing.png\" width=\"352\" height=\"640\" mp4=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/DANCING-v3.mp4\"][/video]\r\n<h3></h3>\r\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\">Thank You to Everyone Who Made Kilimanjaro A Possibility!</h3>\r\nThank you to everyone that sent me well wishes before, during, and after my climb. It meant so much!\r\n\r\nI also thank my parents who gave me the will and determination to achieve all the goals in my life, no matter how hard they are.\r\nThey always ingrained this determination in me and encouraged me to just put my head down and keep going to achieve my goals.\r\nAs I said above, they were with me the whole way and always will be.\r\n\r\nThank you for taking the time to read this. I hope this will inspire you that if a goal is desired, to just put your head down and keep going no matter how difficult it may seem.\r\n\r\n<strong>Peter A. Fields, MD, DC </strong>\r\n<strong>The Athletic Doc<sup>®</sup></strong>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/about/the-athletic-doc/about-the-athletic-doc/\">Click here</a> to find out more about <strong>The Athletic Doc<sup>® </sup></strong>','Report of My Kilimanjaro Climb','','inherit','closed','closed','','2208-revision-v1','','','2021-08-27 20:17:35','2021-08-27 20:17:35','',2208,'https://www.drfields.com/?p=4858',0,'revision','',0),(4859,9,'2021-08-27 20:21:26','2021-08-27 20:21:26','<h1>Report of My Kilimanjaro Climb (late by two years!)</h1>\r\n<em>By Peter A. Fields, MD, DC</em>\r\n\r\nAfter waiting ten years with this on my bucket list, I finally was going to climb Kilimanjaro.\r\n<h3>Getting to Mount Kilimanjaro</h3>\r\n<img class=\"alignleft\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/klimanjaro-8.jpg\" alt=\"\" />\r\n\r\nThe trip to Kilimanjaro began with an 11-hour flight to London where I had a 36-hour layover. Saw \"Tina, The Musical\" (life and times of Tina Truner). Great show.  Then 9 ½ hour flight to Nairobi, where I spent 24 hours so I was able to see the city. Then a one-hour flight to Kilimanjaro, Tanzania. My arrival at Kilimanjaro airport was on Sunday night. This was followed by a two-and-a-half-hour ride, with half of it on a very bumpy dirt road, before reaching the destination at the base camp. Since it was almost midnight, I went straight to my tent, which was quite luxurious for camping, and included a sink, a bathroom, and even a shower. I took advantage of a quick shower and went straight to bed.\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/Day-1-Kiliminaro-and-base-camp-arrival\"><strong>See Photos</strong></a></p>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<h3>Pre-Climb Hike</h3>\r\n<img class=\"alignleft\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/klimanjaro-9.jpg\" alt=\"\" />\r\n\r\nAfter a nice breakfast, where I met the other climbers and our trek leaders, we went for a short two-hour hike just to see the local terrain. It was beautiful, with waterfalls and lots of lush plants and greenery. The guide leader went through our entire pack to make sure that we would be taking everything we needed and that everything was in good shape. The rest of the day was just spent relaxing, except for a short sunset hike of 10 minutes, where at the top of the small hill they had wine waiting for us. A pleasant surprise.\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/Finally-hiking\"><strong>See Photos</strong></a></p>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<h3>First Day Hike Towards Kilimanjaro</h3>\r\n<img class=\"alignleft\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/killi-trailhead-4.jpg\" /><img class=\"alignleft\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/killi-trailhead-3.jpg\" /><img class=\"alignleft\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/killi-trailhead-2.jpg\" />\r\n\r\nAfter a two-hour ride, we arrived at the check-in point. The weather was hot enough to wear shorts and t-shirts since we were only 3 degrees off the equator. There we saw the more than 45 plus Sherpa’s that would accompany us. There were six Sherpa’s( there were six hikers) to carry each person\'s clothing (colder weather gear, nighttime clothes, toiletries, etc.). Then six to carry our bedding, and tents ( double roofed for better rain protection), six would carry our food for 7 days ( three full meals a day), eight of them made up the kitchen team, another team of two would carry the oxygen and medicine, four to carry the toilets and tents over them, plus about 10 other Sherpa’s would carry all the tents, tables and chairs. There were also 10 more to carry all of the sherpa’s food and equipment.\r\n\r\nWe had to register and show our passports, and after that, we took a short 20-minute drive to the trailhead. Arriving at noon, a very nice, well-prepared lunch was ready for us. We started the hike at 7700 feet and climbed to 9300 feet. The area was mostly jungle-like, with a lot of fantastic plants, birds and other exotic wildlife, including Colobus monkeys and other animals. When we arrived at the camp at 9300 feet, the tents were already set up, and we unpacked our gear in each individual tent, had dinner, and went to sleep.\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/Kili-Getting-to-the-trailhead\"><strong>See Photos</strong></a></p>\r\n\r\n<h3>Second Day Hike</h3>\r\nAt 6:30 AM we were woken up with a hot bowl of water to wash up and get ready for the day. A very full breakfast was prepared for us and then we started off to hike again. For hiking, it’s important to eat three square meals a day as well as drink a minimum of three liters of water a day. Without this exhaustion, dehydration, and more can happen. The guides made sure that we would eat a lot and consume lots of water.\r\n\r\nWe headed off on our hike up to 11,400 feet, crossing from the Montane Forest into the Hagenia Zone, where we saw many different plants and beautiful trees throughout the canyon.\r\n\r\nI felt pretty good, as I had taken Diamox, a medicine to help prevent altitude sickness. I had a Camelback-style drinking system so I was drinking copious amounts of water. At night it was cold but with the proper gear (well worth the expense!), I felt warm.\r\n<h3>Day Three Hike</h3>\r\nWe had another early wake-up call today and another substantial breakfast (scrambled eggs, toast, pancakes, fruit, toast, jelly, peanut butter, tea/coffee, and more. We hiked across a large plateau and gained about 2,100 feet in altitude. It was very interesting as we passed into the upper heath zone, where there were no more trees here, just a lot of different plants. And lots of volcanic rock (the last active volcano here took place over 10,000 years ago).\r\n\r\nThe hiking was very slow and consistent, as they say in Swahili, “Poli, Poli.” Again I felt very good when arriving at Moir camp at 13,500 feet. We had beautiful views of the mountain as the clouds moved away. It was really spectacular!\r\n<h3>Day Four Hike</h3>\r\n<img class=\"alignleft\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/klimanjaro-2.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"170\" height=\"226\" /><img class=\"alignleft\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Kilihiking15000-4.jpg\" width=\"423\" height=\"238\" />\r\n\r\nWe woke up again at 6:30 AM, had breakfast at 7 and were hiking by 7:30. Today was a shorter hike of only 3.1 miles, but we did climb 2000 feet. It was slow in some parts and the steep sections were even slower. Finally, we arrived at camp after hiking for only 2 hours and 20 minutes. We were now at 15,500 feet. The air is very thin, so with every step you take you to think about it. But when we arrived at camp, everything seemed to settle down. During the afternoon there was a hale storm that turned into snow, so everybody went into their tents. I probably took a 3-hour well-needed nap. After a good dinner, we all went to bed, but not until we viewed the beautiful skies at 15,500 feet in the southern hemisphere.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/Kili-Hiking-to-15000-feet\"><strong>See Photos</strong></a></p>\r\n\r\n<h3>Day Five Hike</h3>\r\n<img class=\"alignleft\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/klimanjaro-3.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"128\" height=\"170\" />\r\n\r\nWe had the usual wake-up call at 6:30 AM and were on the road by 7:30. It snowed during the night, but only half an inch or so, making everything white and beautiful. The good news is this meant it was right around 32 degrees. The sun came out, so it was warm when we hiked but a little bit cooler when clouds were overhead. Plus with the altitude (lots of breathing) and hiking effort, one was rarely cold. Today\'s hike was only one thousand feet of climbing and a short hike to the base camp. The big hike tomorrow will only be about an hour and 20 minutes, but it will be over a lot of rocks and boulders and will be steep in some places. We arrived at the base camp around\r\n10:30 - 11 in the morning. We were supposed to go for a short hike from there without our packs but it started snowing for over an hour, so that was canceled. Tomorrow morning, we will have a 4 AM wake-up call in anticipation of a 2,300-foot elevation climb up to18,650 feet.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<h3>Day Six Hike</h3>\r\n<img class=\"alignleft\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/16500-18400-12.jpg\" /><img class=\"alignright\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/16500-18400-13.jpg\" />\r\n\r\nWake-up call at 4 AM and breakfast at 4:30. The slow group left at 5. We (my hiking partner, myself and our guide) left about 5:30. At this altitude of over 16,000 feet, everyone moves very slowly. The first little part was steep and slightly snow-covered, but then it got extremely steep and no longer covered in snow. We climbed 2,400 feet over 2.6 miles. The first hour was in the dark, but we all had headlamps. It was very rocky and we had to use our hands sometimes to climb. We ran into a few other tours on the trail and all of us had to cut across a mountainside since the snow had obliterated the trail the night before. We were now over 17, 000 feet. One of the guides from another tour (all the guides know each other) had a pickaxe and so he chopped thru the snow to make it easier on our footing. Even so, it was very slippery. There were times we had to use all four extremities to climb, even kneeling on the next step up because the step was too high to reach with our foot. Breathing was becoming more and more labored and it was difficult to catch our breath in the thinning air. When we stopped at 18,000 feet for a snack and water, we thought the worst was over, but that wasn’t the case. The next 500 feet were very rocky and slippery, and that along with the very thin air meant we had to take three or four steps before needing to stop for a break. Like having a bag over your head and pulling for each breath. Finally, we reached the craters ridge and were very happy. These are remnants of glaciers that once covered this entire valley. The whole valley was snow-covered and looked like we were walking in a desert. When we arrived, we were not allowed to lie down in our tents for about a good hour because we needed to let our bodies acclimate to the thin air at 18,600 feet. After that, we enjoyed a well-deserved nap before an early dinner because we would be getting up again at 4 AM to <em>climb to the top of Kilimanjaro!</em>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/16-500-feet-to-18-400\"><strong>See Photos</strong></a></p>\r\n\r\n<h2>Day Seven Hike</h2>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_2282\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"397\"]<img class=\"size-full wp-image-2282\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/summit-19341-7.jpg\" alt=\"Summit 19,341 (7)\" width=\"397\" height=\"310\" /> Summit 19,341[/caption]\r\n\r\nThe night was extremely cold, with ground temperatures probably down to zero degrees Fahrenheit. We did everything to keep ourselves warm! I laid my down jacket on top of my sleeping bag (which was rated to zero degrees), plus I had a liner inside the sleeping bag which gave me an additional 25 degrees of warmth. I am definitely not a cold weather person but with the right gear, it was not too bad.\r\nWe were woken up at 4 AM. After eating and packing our stuff ( only our personal things; the Sherpa took care of the sleeping bag and tent each morning and night, we were off for a 75-minute climb, basically straight up and extremely cold. Fortunately, I had bought the best mittens ever and my hands were not cold. Nonetheless, my legs and face took the brunt of it, and we moved very, very slowly. 10 feet could take several minutes. After a very hard, straight-up climbing, we had to cross a flat plane to the actual top of the mountain. The wind was blowing like crazy. The air temp was around minus 10 Fahrenheit with the wind chill probably down to negative 45 or 50 Fahrenheit. But all 6 of us had made it. It was a special feeling…an unbelievable feeling!\r\n\r\nI always carry some ashes of my parents no matter where I travel in this world. And since this was a very special place, I quietly said a prayer, took off my mittens (brrr), and sprinkled some of their ashes at the top. They had made it the whole way with me!\r\n\r\nWe took our pictures and then had to get going due to the intense winds and brutal cold. Fortunately, we summited very early and there were only one or two other groups at the top. Later on, there would be at least 50-100 people. We saw a gorgeous sunrise since it was only about 7 in the morning. We were almost on the equator, and sunrise and sunsets are always at around 6:30 without much variation from season to season.\r\nImmediately, once we started to go down, we could feel the release of pressure in our lungs and chest. The descent and decreasing pressure made it a lot easier on our lungs, plus it was now all downhill. After an hour or two, our quads really felt it, and we would be walking downhill for the next 5 to 6 hours!\r\nWe did stop for a small break for some lunch, but our appetite was low due to altitude. Several of the hikers experienced altitude sickness on the way up, with nausea, diarrhea, headaches loss of appetite, and weakness. But it was worse for me while descending, but fortunately, I had only lost my appetite with slight nausea and it lasted only for a short period of time. Anyway, we finally made it to camp at 10,500 feet. The weather was really nice and a bit warmer, between about 45 to 50 degrees or more. What a difference from the night before! We all had a good meal and rested, as we had been hiking downhill for over 8 hours, and all of our legs were extremely tired.\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/Hiking-to-the-summit-19-341-feet\"><strong>See Photos</strong></a></p>\r\n\r\n<h3>Day Eight Hike</h3>\r\n<img class=\"alignright\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Sunriseuptop-3.jpg\" />\r\n\r\nWe woke up at 6:30 AM, which was a big difference from 4 AM. Today would be our last night, and we would be saying goodbye to all the Sherpas and guides. Only the guides would continue with us. I volunteered to be the spokesperson of the group, which meant I would be collecting the tip money and giving a short speech.\r\n\r\nAfter breakfast, the 40 or so sherpas gathered around singing and dancing. I actually joined them in the dancing, which I have a video of. I was very tired, but it was still worth it. I gave a 3-minute speech thanking every one of them for all of their hard work and dedication, and telling them that their help, whether by carrying a table, carrying sleeping bags, setting up tents, preparing food and everything else they did for us, was all very special and helped us so much.\r\n\r\nWe then set off for our last 6 to 7-hour hike downhill. Although it was not very steep, it was a dried-up river bed that was full of rocks and stones, making footing uneasy, and causing our quads to be even more on fire. But we knew the end was coming, so we just kept going. We stopped for lunch and continued on. After about 7 hours, we saw the base camp. Nothing could be sweeter! I signed out at the Ranger station and basically collapsed into the waiting truck. There were a lot of campers and hikers ending in this same area, so they drove us about 20 minutes away.\r\n\r\nWe had some lunch and then drove the rest of the way back to the lodge, which was a beautiful hotel about half an hour outside of Arusha on an old coffee plantation. Everybody had their own cabin. For the first time in 9 days, I took a shower. It was wonderful! Then we all gathered with the two guides and I said a few more words to represent the group. We had a nice dinner, and then two people left for the airport by 7 PM. That night, was my first night of sleep in a bed, after 9 days. It was fantastic! The mission was accomplished!\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/Sunrise-up-top-and-heading-down\"><strong>See Photos</strong></a>\r\n<h2>Kilimanjaro Was Amazing!</h2>\r\n<img class=\"size-full wp-image-2213\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/klimanjaro-5.jpg\" alt=\"Klimanjaro (5)\" width=\"128\" height=\"128\" />\r\n\r\nEven though the trip was not exactly as described in the pamphlet, it was something I had had on my bucket list for over 10 years. It was extremely difficult at times. Some of our hikers had difficulty even moving and needed assistance. But we all persevered. I\'ve done 10 Ironman races so far (now 11!), which require monumental training. But the long hike up to the crater from 16,800 feet to 18,400, with the subsequent day of summiting, followed by the 9,000-foot descent, were some of the hardest things that I\'ve ever done. And that includes all my Ironman competitions.\r\n\r\nYou just can\'t imagine what it\'s like trying to move at that altitude. As I said before, it is similar to having a paper bag over your head and trying to grasp for air. There were times I took two or three steps and then had to pause for 15 or 20 seconds just to get my heart rate and breathing back down, repeating that again and again and again. Never looking ahead, only down, because sometimes ten feet took 45-60 seconds to cross. All this while enduring the sub-freezing temperature, the blowing snow, and the wind chill factors. Nothing but grit and determination to keep you going. But the views were spectacular and the feeling of being literally on top of the world made it all worth it.\r\n\r\nI\'ll continue to enjoy my Ironman triathlons and continue to do them as long as I can. But as far as hiking up a mountain to 19,341 feet, this will be my one and only time! It\'s a tremendous accomplishment, but something I would not want to repeat.\r\n\r\n[video poster=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Dancing.png\" width=\"352\" height=\"640\" mp4=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/DANCING-v3.mp4\"][/video]\r\n\r\n<img class=\"alignright\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/final-goodbyes-1.jpg\" />\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/Final-goodbyes-and-certificates\"><strong>See Photos</strong></a></p>\r\n\r\n<h3></h3>\r\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\">Thank You to Everyone Who Made Kilimanjaro A Possibility!</h3>\r\nThank you to everyone that sent me well wishes before, during, and after my climb. It meant so much!\r\n\r\nI also thank my parents who gave me the will and determination to achieve all the goals in my life, no matter how hard they are.\r\nThey always ingrained this determination in me and encouraged me to just put my head down and keep going to achieve my goals.\r\nAs I said above, they were with me the whole way and always will be.\r\n\r\nThank you for taking the time to read this. I hope this will inspire you that if a goal is desired, to just put your head down and keep going no matter how difficult it may seem.\r\n\r\n<strong>Peter A. Fields, MD, DC </strong>\r\n<strong>The Athletic Doc<sup>®</sup></strong>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/about/the-athletic-doc/about-the-athletic-doc/\">Click here</a> to find out more about <strong>The Athletic Doc<sup>® </sup></strong>','Report of My Kilimanjaro Climb','','inherit','closed','closed','','2208-revision-v1','','','2021-08-27 20:21:26','2021-08-27 20:21:26','',2208,'https://www.drfields.com/?p=4859',0,'revision','',0),(4860,9,'2021-08-27 20:21:49','2021-08-27 20:21:49','<h1>Report of My Kilimanjaro Climb (late by two years!)</h1>\r\n<em>By Peter A. Fields, MD, DC</em>\r\n\r\nAfter waiting ten years with this on my bucket list, I finally was going to climb Kilimanjaro.\r\n<h3>Getting to Mount Kilimanjaro</h3>\r\n<img class=\"alignleft\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/klimanjaro-8.jpg\" alt=\"\" />\r\n\r\nThe trip to Kilimanjaro began with an 11-hour flight to London where I had a 36-hour layover. Saw \"Tina, The Musical\" (life and times of Tina Truner). Great show.  Then 9 ½ hour flight to Nairobi, where I spent 24 hours so I was able to see the city. Then a one-hour flight to Kilimanjaro, Tanzania. My arrival at Kilimanjaro airport was on Sunday night. This was followed by a two-and-a-half-hour ride, with half of it on a very bumpy dirt road, before reaching the destination at the base camp. Since it was almost midnight, I went straight to my tent, which was quite luxurious for camping, and included a sink, a bathroom, and even a shower. I took advantage of a quick shower and went straight to bed.\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/Day-1-Kiliminaro-and-base-camp-arrival\"><strong>See Photos</strong></a></p>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<h3>Pre-Climb Hike</h3>\r\n<img class=\"alignleft\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/klimanjaro-9.jpg\" alt=\"\" />\r\n\r\nAfter a nice breakfast, where I met the other climbers and our trek leaders, we went for a short two-hour hike just to see the local terrain. It was beautiful, with waterfalls and lots of lush plants and greenery. The guide leader went through our entire pack to make sure that we would be taking everything we needed and that everything was in good shape. The rest of the day was just spent relaxing, except for a short sunset hike of 10 minutes, where at the top of the small hill they had wine waiting for us. A pleasant surprise.\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/Finally-hiking\"><strong>See Photos</strong></a></p>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<h3>First Day Hike Towards Kilimanjaro</h3>\r\n<img class=\"alignleft\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/killi-trailhead-4.jpg\" /><img class=\"alignleft\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/killi-trailhead-3.jpg\" /><img class=\"alignleft\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/killi-trailhead-2.jpg\" />\r\n\r\nAfter a two-hour ride, we arrived at the check-in point. The weather was hot enough to wear shorts and t-shirts since we were only 3 degrees off the equator. There we saw the more than 45 plus Sherpa’s that would accompany us. There were six Sherpa’s( there were six hikers) to carry each person\'s clothing (colder weather gear, nighttime clothes, toiletries, etc.). Then six to carry our bedding, and tents ( double roofed for better rain protection), six would carry our food for 7 days ( three full meals a day), eight of them made up the kitchen team, another team of two would carry the oxygen and medicine, four to carry the toilets and tents over them, plus about 10 other Sherpa’s would carry all the tents, tables and chairs. There were also 10 more to carry all of the sherpa’s food and equipment.\r\n\r\nWe had to register and show our passports, and after that, we took a short 20-minute drive to the trailhead. Arriving at noon, a very nice, well-prepared lunch was ready for us. We started the hike at 7700 feet and climbed to 9300 feet. The area was mostly jungle-like, with a lot of fantastic plants, birds and other exotic wildlife, including Colobus monkeys and other animals. When we arrived at the camp at 9300 feet, the tents were already set up, and we unpacked our gear in each individual tent, had dinner, and went to sleep.\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/Kili-Getting-to-the-trailhead\"><strong>See Photos</strong></a></p>\r\n\r\n<h3>Second Day Hike</h3>\r\nAt 6:30 AM we were woken up with a hot bowl of water to wash up and get ready for the day. A very full breakfast was prepared for us and then we started off to hike again. For hiking, it’s important to eat three square meals a day as well as drink a minimum of three liters of water a day. Without this exhaustion, dehydration, and more can happen. The guides made sure that we would eat a lot and consume lots of water.\r\n\r\nWe headed off on our hike up to 11,400 feet, crossing from the Montane Forest into the Hagenia Zone, where we saw many different plants and beautiful trees throughout the canyon.\r\n\r\nI felt pretty good, as I had taken Diamox, a medicine to help prevent altitude sickness. I had a Camelback-style drinking system so I was drinking copious amounts of water. At night it was cold but with the proper gear (well worth the expense!), I felt warm.\r\n<h3>Day Three Hike</h3>\r\nWe had another early wake-up call today and another substantial breakfast (scrambled eggs, toast, pancakes, fruit, toast, jelly, peanut butter, tea/coffee, and more. We hiked across a large plateau and gained about 2,100 feet in altitude. It was very interesting as we passed into the upper heath zone, where there were no more trees here, just a lot of different plants. And lots of volcanic rock (the last active volcano here took place over 10,000 years ago).\r\n\r\nThe hiking was very slow and consistent, as they say in Swahili, “Poli, Poli.” Again I felt very good when arriving at Moir camp at 13,500 feet. We had beautiful views of the mountain as the clouds moved away. It was really spectacular!\r\n<h3>Day Four Hike</h3>\r\n<img class=\"alignleft\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/klimanjaro-2.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"170\" height=\"226\" /><img class=\"alignleft\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Kilihiking15000-4.jpg\" width=\"423\" height=\"238\" />\r\n\r\nWe woke up again at 6:30 AM, had breakfast at 7 and were hiking by 7:30. Today was a shorter hike of only 3.1 miles, but we did climb 2000 feet. It was slow in some parts and the steep sections were even slower. Finally, we arrived at camp after hiking for only 2 hours and 20 minutes. We were now at 15,500 feet. The air is very thin, so with every step you take you to think about it. But when we arrived at camp, everything seemed to settle down. During the afternoon there was a hale storm that turned into snow, so everybody went into their tents. I probably took a 3-hour well-needed nap. After a good dinner, we all went to bed, but not until we viewed the beautiful skies at 15,500 feet in the southern hemisphere.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/Kili-Hiking-to-15000-feet\"><strong>See Photos</strong></a></p>\r\n\r\n<h3>Day Five Hike</h3>\r\n<img class=\"alignleft\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/klimanjaro-3.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"128\" height=\"170\" />\r\n\r\nWe had the usual wake-up call at 6:30 AM and were on the road by 7:30. It snowed during the night, but only half an inch or so, making everything white and beautiful. The good news is this meant it was right around 32 degrees. The sun came out, so it was warm when we hiked but a little bit cooler when clouds were overhead. Plus with the altitude (lots of breathing) and hiking effort, one was rarely cold. Today\'s hike was only one thousand feet of climbing and a short hike to the base camp. The big hike tomorrow will only be about an hour and 20 minutes, but it will be over a lot of rocks and boulders and will be steep in some places. We arrived at the base camp around\r\n10:30 - 11 in the morning. We were supposed to go for a short hike from there without our packs but it started snowing for over an hour, so that was canceled. Tomorrow morning, we will have a 4 AM wake-up call in anticipation of a 2,300-foot elevation climb up to18,650 feet.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<h3>Day Six Hike</h3>\r\n<img class=\"alignleft\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/16500-18400-12.jpg\" /><img class=\"alignright\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/16500-18400-13.jpg\" />\r\n\r\nWake-up call at 4 AM and breakfast at 4:30. The slow group left at 5. We (my hiking partner, myself and our guide) left about 5:30. At this altitude of over 16,000 feet, everyone moves very slowly. The first little part was steep and slightly snow-covered, but then it got extremely steep and no longer covered in snow. We climbed 2,400 feet over 2.6 miles. The first hour was in the dark, but we all had headlamps. It was very rocky and we had to use our hands sometimes to climb. We ran into a few other tours on the trail and all of us had to cut across a mountainside since the snow had obliterated the trail the night before. We were now over 17, 000 feet. One of the guides from another tour (all the guides know each other) had a pickaxe and so he chopped thru the snow to make it easier on our footing. Even so, it was very slippery. There were times we had to use all four extremities to climb, even kneeling on the next step up because the step was too high to reach with our foot. Breathing was becoming more and more labored and it was difficult to catch our breath in the thinning air. When we stopped at 18,000 feet for a snack and water, we thought the worst was over, but that wasn’t the case. The next 500 feet were very rocky and slippery, and that along with the very thin air meant we had to take three or four steps before needing to stop for a break. Like having a bag over your head and pulling for each breath. Finally, we reached the craters ridge and were very happy. These are remnants of glaciers that once covered this entire valley. The whole valley was snow-covered and looked like we were walking in a desert. When we arrived, we were not allowed to lie down in our tents for about a good hour because we needed to let our bodies acclimate to the thin air at 18,600 feet. After that, we enjoyed a well-deserved nap before an early dinner because we would be getting up again at 4 AM to <em>climb to the top of Kilimanjaro!</em>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/16-500-feet-to-18-400\"><strong>See Photos</strong></a></p>\r\n\r\n<h2>Day Seven Hike</h2>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_2282\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"397\"]<img class=\"size-full wp-image-2282\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/summit-19341-7.jpg\" alt=\"Summit 19,341 (7)\" width=\"397\" height=\"310\" /> Summit 19,341[/caption]\r\n\r\nThe night was extremely cold, with ground temperatures probably down to zero degrees Fahrenheit. We did everything to keep ourselves warm! I laid my down jacket on top of my sleeping bag (which was rated to zero degrees), plus I had a liner inside the sleeping bag which gave me an additional 25 degrees of warmth. I am definitely not a cold weather person but with the right gear, it was not too bad.\r\nWe were woken up at 4 AM. After eating and packing our stuff ( only our personal things; the Sherpa took care of the sleeping bag and tent each morning and night, we were off for a 75-minute climb, basically straight up and extremely cold. Fortunately, I had bought the best mittens ever and my hands were not cold. Nonetheless, my legs and face took the brunt of it, and we moved very, very slowly. 10 feet could take several minutes. After a very hard, straight-up climbing, we had to cross a flat plane to the actual top of the mountain. The wind was blowing like crazy. The air temp was around minus 10 Fahrenheit with the wind chill probably down to negative 45 or 50 Fahrenheit. But all 6 of us had made it. It was a special feeling…an unbelievable feeling!\r\n\r\nI always carry some ashes of my parents no matter where I travel in this world. And since this was a very special place, I quietly said a prayer, took off my mittens (brrr), and sprinkled some of their ashes at the top. They had made it the whole way with me!\r\n\r\nWe took our pictures and then had to get going due to the intense winds and brutal cold. Fortunately, we summited very early and there were only one or two other groups at the top. Later on, there would be at least 50-100 people. We saw a gorgeous sunrise since it was only about 7 in the morning. We were almost on the equator, and sunrise and sunsets are always at around 6:30 without much variation from season to season.\r\nImmediately, once we started to go down, we could feel the release of pressure in our lungs and chest. The descent and decreasing pressure made it a lot easier on our lungs, plus it was now all downhill. After an hour or two, our quads really felt it, and we would be walking downhill for the next 5 to 6 hours!\r\nWe did stop for a small break for some lunch, but our appetite was low due to altitude. Several of the hikers experienced altitude sickness on the way up, with nausea, diarrhea, headaches loss of appetite, and weakness. But it was worse for me while descending, but fortunately, I had only lost my appetite with slight nausea and it lasted only for a short period of time. Anyway, we finally made it to camp at 10,500 feet. The weather was really nice and a bit warmer, between about 45 to 50 degrees or more. What a difference from the night before! We all had a good meal and rested, as we had been hiking downhill for over 8 hours, and all of our legs were extremely tired.\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/Hiking-to-the-summit-19-341-feet\"><strong>See Photos</strong></a></p>\r\n\r\n<h3>Day Eight Hike</h3>\r\n<img class=\"alignright\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Sunriseuptop-3.jpg\" />\r\n\r\nWe woke up at 6:30 AM, which was a big difference from 4 AM. Today would be our last night, and we would be saying goodbye to all the Sherpas and guides. Only the guides would continue with us. I volunteered to be the spokesperson of the group, which meant I would be collecting the tip money and giving a short speech.\r\n\r\nAfter breakfast, the 40 or so sherpas gathered around singing and dancing. I actually joined them in the dancing, which I have a video of. I was very tired, but it was still worth it. I gave a 3-minute speech thanking every one of them for all of their hard work and dedication, and telling them that their help, whether by carrying a table, carrying sleeping bags, setting up tents, preparing food and everything else they did for us, was all very special and helped us so much.\r\n\r\nWe then set off for our last 6 to 7-hour hike downhill. Although it was not very steep, it was a dried-up river bed that was full of rocks and stones, making footing uneasy, and causing our quads to be even more on fire. But we knew the end was coming, so we just kept going. We stopped for lunch and continued on. After about 7 hours, we saw the base camp. Nothing could be sweeter! I signed out at the Ranger station and basically collapsed into the waiting truck. There were a lot of campers and hikers ending in this same area, so they drove us about 20 minutes away.\r\n\r\nWe had some lunch and then drove the rest of the way back to the lodge, which was a beautiful hotel about half an hour outside of Arusha on an old coffee plantation. Everybody had their own cabin. For the first time in 9 days, I took a shower. It was wonderful! Then we all gathered with the two guides and I said a few more words to represent the group. We had a nice dinner, and then two people left for the airport by 7 PM. That night, was my first night of sleep in a bed, after 9 days. It was fantastic! The mission was accomplished!\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/Sunrise-up-top-and-heading-down\"><strong>See Photos</strong></a>\r\n<h2>Kilimanjaro Was Amazing!</h2>\r\n<img class=\"size-full wp-image-2213\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/klimanjaro-5.jpg\" alt=\"Klimanjaro (5)\" width=\"128\" height=\"128\" />\r\n\r\nEven though the trip was not exactly as described in the pamphlet, it was something I had had on my bucket list for over 10 years. It was extremely difficult at times. Some of our hikers had difficulty even moving and needed assistance. But we all persevered. I\'ve done 10 Ironman races so far (now 11!), which require monumental training. But the long hike up to the crater from 16,800 feet to 18,400, with the subsequent day of summiting, followed by the 9,000-foot descent, were some of the hardest things that I\'ve ever done. And that includes all my Ironman competitions.\r\n\r\nYou just can\'t imagine what it\'s like trying to move at that altitude. As I said before, it is similar to having a paper bag over your head and trying to grasp for air. There were times I took two or three steps and then had to pause for 15 or 20 seconds just to get my heart rate and breathing back down, repeating that again and again and again. Never looking ahead, only down, because sometimes ten feet took 45-60 seconds to cross. All this while enduring the sub-freezing temperature, the blowing snow, and the wind chill factors. Nothing but grit and determination to keep you going. But the views were spectacular and the feeling of being literally on top of the world made it all worth it.\r\n\r\nI\'ll continue to enjoy my Ironman triathlons and continue to do them as long as I can. But as far as hiking up a mountain to 19,341 feet, this will be my one and only time! It\'s a tremendous accomplishment, but something I would not want to repeat.\r\n\r\n[video poster=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Dancing.png\" width=\"352\" height=\"640\" mp4=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/DANCING-v3.mp4\"][/video]\r\n\r\n<img class=\"alignright\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/final-goodbyes-1.jpg\" />\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/Final-goodbyes-and-certificates\"><strong>See Photos</strong></a></p>\r\n\r\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\">Thank You to Everyone Who Made Kilimanjaro A Possibility!</h3>\r\nThank you to everyone that sent me well wishes before, during, and after my climb. It meant so much!\r\n\r\nI also thank my parents who gave me the will and determination to achieve all the goals in my life, no matter how hard they are.\r\nThey always ingrained this determination in me and encouraged me to just put my head down and keep going to achieve my goals.\r\nAs I said above, they were with me the whole way and always will be.\r\n\r\nThank you for taking the time to read this. I hope this will inspire you that if a goal is desired, to just put your head down and keep going no matter how difficult it may seem.\r\n\r\n<strong>Peter A. Fields, MD, DC </strong>\r\n<strong>The Athletic Doc<sup>®</sup></strong>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/about/the-athletic-doc/about-the-athletic-doc/\">Click here</a> to find out more about <strong>The Athletic Doc<sup>® </sup></strong>','Report of My Kilimanjaro Climb','','inherit','closed','closed','','2208-revision-v1','','','2021-08-27 20:21:49','2021-08-27 20:21:49','',2208,'https://www.drfields.com/?p=4860',0,'revision','',0),(4861,9,'2021-08-30 19:22:27','2021-08-30 19:22:27','','camp 16000ft','','inherit','open','closed','','camp-16000ft','','','2021-08-30 19:22:27','2021-08-30 19:22:27','',2208,'https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/camp-16000ft.mp4',0,'attachment','video/mp4',0),(4862,9,'2021-08-30 19:24:00','2021-08-30 19:24:00','Camp','Camp','Camp','inherit','open','closed','','camp','','','2021-08-30 19:24:00','2021-08-30 19:24:00','',2208,'https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/camp.png',0,'attachment','image/png',0),(4863,9,'2021-08-30 19:25:17','2021-08-30 19:25:17','<h1>Report of My Kilimanjaro Climb (late by two years!)</h1>\r\n<em>By Peter A. Fields, MD, DC</em>\r\n\r\nAfter waiting ten years with this on my bucket list, I finally was going to climb Kilimanjaro.\r\n<h3>Getting to Mount Kilimanjaro</h3>\r\n<img class=\"alignleft\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/klimanjaro-8.jpg\" alt=\"\" />\r\n\r\nThe trip to Kilimanjaro began with an 11-hour flight to London where I had a 36-hour layover. Saw \"Tina, The Musical\" (life and times of Tina Truner). Great show.  Then 9 ½ hour flight to Nairobi, where I spent 24 hours so I was able to see the city. Then a one-hour flight to Kilimanjaro, Tanzania. My arrival at Kilimanjaro airport was on Sunday night. This was followed by a two-and-a-half-hour ride, with half of it on a very bumpy dirt road, before reaching the destination at the base camp. Since it was almost midnight, I went straight to my tent, which was quite luxurious for camping, and included a sink, a bathroom, and even a shower. I took advantage of a quick shower and went straight to bed.\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/Day-1-Kiliminaro-and-base-camp-arrival\"><strong>See Photos</strong></a></p>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<h3>Pre-Climb Hike</h3>\r\n<img class=\"alignleft\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/klimanjaro-9.jpg\" alt=\"\" />\r\n\r\nAfter a nice breakfast, where I met the other climbers and our trek leaders, we went for a short two-hour hike just to see the local terrain. It was beautiful, with waterfalls and lots of lush plants and greenery. The guide leader went through our entire pack to make sure that we would be taking everything we needed and that everything was in good shape. The rest of the day was just spent relaxing, except for a short sunset hike of 10 minutes, where at the top of the small hill they had wine waiting for us. A pleasant surprise.\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/Finally-hiking\"><strong>See Photos</strong></a></p>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<h3>First Day Hike Towards Kilimanjaro</h3>\r\n<img class=\"alignleft\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/killi-trailhead-4.jpg\" /><img class=\"alignleft\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/killi-trailhead-3.jpg\" /><img class=\"alignleft\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/killi-trailhead-2.jpg\" />\r\n\r\nAfter a two-hour ride, we arrived at the check-in point. The weather was hot enough to wear shorts and t-shirts since we were only 3 degrees off the equator. There we saw the more than 45 plus Sherpa’s that would accompany us. There were six Sherpa’s( there were six hikers) to carry each person\'s clothing (colder weather gear, nighttime clothes, toiletries, etc.). Then six to carry our bedding, and tents ( double roofed for better rain protection), six would carry our food for 7 days ( three full meals a day), eight of them made up the kitchen team, another team of two would carry the oxygen and medicine, four to carry the toilets and tents over them, plus about 10 other Sherpa’s would carry all the tents, tables and chairs. There were also 10 more to carry all of the sherpa’s food and equipment.\r\n\r\nWe had to register and show our passports, and after that, we took a short 20-minute drive to the trailhead. Arriving at noon, a very nice, well-prepared lunch was ready for us. We started the hike at 7700 feet and climbed to 9300 feet. The area was mostly jungle-like, with a lot of fantastic plants, birds and other exotic wildlife, including Colobus monkeys and other animals. When we arrived at the camp at 9300 feet, the tents were already set up, and we unpacked our gear in each individual tent, had dinner, and went to sleep.\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/Kili-Getting-to-the-trailhead\"><strong>See Photos</strong></a></p>\r\n\r\n<h3>Second Day Hike</h3>\r\nAt 6:30 AM we were woken up with a hot bowl of water to wash up and get ready for the day. A very full breakfast was prepared for us and then we started off to hike again. For hiking, it’s important to eat three square meals a day as well as drink a minimum of three liters of water a day. Without this exhaustion, dehydration, and more can happen. The guides made sure that we would eat a lot and consume lots of water.\r\n\r\nWe headed off on our hike up to 11,400 feet, crossing from the Montane Forest into the Hagenia Zone, where we saw many different plants and beautiful trees throughout the canyon.\r\n\r\nI felt pretty good, as I had taken Diamox, a medicine to help prevent altitude sickness. I had a Camelback-style drinking system so I was drinking copious amounts of water. At night it was cold but with the proper gear (well worth the expense!), I felt warm.\r\n<h3>Day Three Hike</h3>\r\nWe had another early wake-up call today and another substantial breakfast (scrambled eggs, toast, pancakes, fruit, toast, jelly, peanut butter, tea/coffee, and more. We hiked across a large plateau and gained about 2,100 feet in altitude. It was very interesting as we passed into the upper heath zone, where there were no more trees here, just a lot of different plants. And lots of volcanic rock (the last active volcano here took place over 10,000 years ago).\r\n\r\nThe hiking was very slow and consistent, as they say in Swahili, “Poli, Poli.” Again I felt very good when arriving at Moir camp at 13,500 feet. We had beautiful views of the mountain as the clouds moved away. It was really spectacular!\r\n<h3>Day Four Hike</h3>\r\n<img class=\"alignleft\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/klimanjaro-2.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"170\" height=\"226\" /><img class=\"alignleft\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Kilihiking15000-4.jpg\" width=\"423\" height=\"238\" />\r\n\r\nWe woke up again at 6:30 AM, had breakfast at 7 and were hiking by 7:30. Today was a shorter hike of only 3.1 miles, but we did climb 2000 feet. It was slow in some parts and the steep sections were even slower. Finally, we arrived at camp after hiking for only 2 hours and 20 minutes. We were now at 15,500 feet. The air is very thin, so with every step you take you to think about it. But when we arrived at camp, everything seemed to settle down. During the afternoon there was a hale storm that turned into snow, so everybody went into their tents. I probably took a 3-hour well-needed nap. After a good dinner, we all went to bed, but not until we viewed the beautiful skies at 15,500 feet in the southern hemisphere.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/Kili-Hiking-to-15000-feet\"><strong>See Photos</strong></a></p>\r\n\r\n<h3>Day Five Hike</h3>\r\n<img class=\"alignleft\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/klimanjaro-3.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"128\" height=\"170\" />\r\n\r\nWe had the usual wake-up call at 6:30 AM and were on the road by 7:30. It snowed during the night, but only half an inch or so, making everything white and beautiful. The good news is this meant it was right around 32 degrees. The sun came out, so it was warm when we hiked but a little bit cooler when clouds were overhead. Plus with the altitude (lots of breathing) and hiking effort, one was rarely cold. Today\'s hike was only one thousand feet of climbing and a short hike to the base camp. The big hike tomorrow will only be about an hour and 20 minutes, but it will be over a lot of rocks and boulders and will be steep in some places. We arrived at the base camp around\r\n10:30 - 11 in the morning. We were supposed to go for a short hike from there without our packs but it started snowing for over an hour, so that was canceled. Tomorrow morning, we will have a 4 AM wake-up call in anticipation of a 2,300-foot elevation climb up to18,650 feet.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<h3>Day Six Hike</h3>\r\n<img class=\"alignleft\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/16500-18400-12.jpg\" /><img class=\"alignright\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/16500-18400-13.jpg\" />\r\n\r\nWake-up call at 4 AM and breakfast at 4:30. The slow group left at 5. We (my hiking partner, myself and our guide) left about 5:30. At this altitude of over 16,000 feet, everyone moves very slowly. The first little part was steep and slightly snow-covered, but then it got extremely steep and no longer covered in snow. We climbed 2,400 feet over 2.6 miles. The first hour was in the dark, but we all had headlamps. It was very rocky and we had to use our hands sometimes to climb. We ran into a few other tours on the trail and all of us had to cut across a mountainside since the snow had obliterated the trail the night before.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[video width=\"640\" height=\"480\" mp4=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/camp-16000ft.mp4\" poster=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/camp.png\"][/video]\r\n\r\nWe were now over 17, 000 feet. One of the guides from another tour (all the guides know each other) had a pickaxe and so he chopped thru the snow to make it easier on our footing. Even so, it was very slippery. There were times we had to use all four extremities to climb, even kneeling on the next step up because the step was too high to reach with our foot. Breathing was becoming more and more labored and it was difficult to catch our breath in the thinning air. When we stopped at 18,000 feet for a snack and water, we thought the worst was over, but that wasn’t the case. The next 500 feet were very rocky and slippery, and that along with the very thin air meant we had to take three or four steps before needing to stop for a break. Like having a bag over your head and pulling for each breath. Finally, we reached the craters ridge and were very happy. These are remnants of glaciers that once covered this entire valley. The whole valley was snow-covered and looked like we were walking in a desert. When we arrived, we were not allowed to lie down in our tents for about a good hour because we needed to let our bodies acclimate to the thin air at 18,600 feet. After that, we enjoyed a well-deserved nap before an early dinner because we would be getting up again at 4 AM to <em>climb to the top of Kilimanjaro!</em>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/16-500-feet-to-18-400\"><strong>See Photos</strong></a></p>\r\n\r\n<h2>Day Seven Hike</h2>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_2282\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"397\"]<img class=\"size-full wp-image-2282\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/summit-19341-7.jpg\" alt=\"Summit 19,341 (7)\" width=\"397\" height=\"310\" /> Summit 19,341[/caption]\r\n\r\nThe night was extremely cold, with ground temperatures probably down to zero degrees Fahrenheit. We did everything to keep ourselves warm! I laid my down jacket on top of my sleeping bag (which was rated to zero degrees), plus I had a liner inside the sleeping bag which gave me an additional 25 degrees of warmth. I am definitely not a cold weather person but with the right gear, it was not too bad.\r\nWe were woken up at 4 AM. After eating and packing our stuff ( only our personal things; the Sherpa took care of the sleeping bag and tent each morning and night, we were off for a 75-minute climb, basically straight up and extremely cold. Fortunately, I had bought the best mittens ever and my hands were not cold. Nonetheless, my legs and face took the brunt of it, and we moved very, very slowly. 10 feet could take several minutes. After a very hard, straight-up climbing, we had to cross a flat plane to the actual top of the mountain. The wind was blowing like crazy. The air temp was around minus 10 Fahrenheit with the wind chill probably down to negative 45 or 50 Fahrenheit. But all 6 of us had made it. It was a special feeling…an unbelievable feeling!\r\n\r\nI always carry some ashes of my parents no matter where I travel in this world. And since this was a very special place, I quietly said a prayer, took off my mittens (brrr), and sprinkled some of their ashes at the top. They had made it the whole way with me!\r\n\r\nWe took our pictures and then had to get going due to the intense winds and brutal cold. Fortunately, we summited very early and there were only one or two other groups at the top. Later on, there would be at least 50-100 people. We saw a gorgeous sunrise since it was only about 7 in the morning. We were almost on the equator, and sunrise and sunsets are always at around 6:30 without much variation from season to season.\r\nImmediately, once we started to go down, we could feel the release of pressure in our lungs and chest. The descent and decreasing pressure made it a lot easier on our lungs, plus it was now all downhill. After an hour or two, our quads really felt it, and we would be walking downhill for the next 5 to 6 hours!\r\nWe did stop for a small break for some lunch, but our appetite was low due to altitude. Several of the hikers experienced altitude sickness on the way up, with nausea, diarrhea, headaches loss of appetite, and weakness. But it was worse for me while descending, but fortunately, I had only lost my appetite with slight nausea and it lasted only for a short period of time. Anyway, we finally made it to camp at 10,500 feet. The weather was really nice and a bit warmer, between about 45 to 50 degrees or more. What a difference from the night before! We all had a good meal and rested, as we had been hiking downhill for over 8 hours, and all of our legs were extremely tired.\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/Hiking-to-the-summit-19-341-feet\"><strong>See Photos</strong></a></p>\r\n\r\n<h3>Day Eight Hike</h3>\r\n<img class=\"alignright\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Sunriseuptop-3.jpg\" />\r\n\r\nWe woke up at 6:30 AM, which was a big difference from 4 AM. Today would be our last night, and we would be saying goodbye to all the Sherpas and guides. Only the guides would continue with us. I volunteered to be the spokesperson of the group, which meant I would be collecting the tip money and giving a short speech.\r\n\r\nAfter breakfast, the 40 or so sherpas gathered around singing and dancing. I actually joined them in the dancing, which I have a video of. I was very tired, but it was still worth it. I gave a 3-minute speech thanking every one of them for all of their hard work and dedication, and telling them that their help, whether by carrying a table, carrying sleeping bags, setting up tents, preparing food and everything else they did for us, was all very special and helped us so much.\r\n\r\nWe then set off for our last 6 to 7-hour hike downhill. Although it was not very steep, it was a dried-up river bed that was full of rocks and stones, making footing uneasy, and causing our quads to be even more on fire. But we knew the end was coming, so we just kept going. We stopped for lunch and continued on. After about 7 hours, we saw the base camp. Nothing could be sweeter! I signed out at the Ranger station and basically collapsed into the waiting truck. There were a lot of campers and hikers ending in this same area, so they drove us about 20 minutes away.\r\n\r\nWe had some lunch and then drove the rest of the way back to the lodge, which was a beautiful hotel about half an hour outside of Arusha on an old coffee plantation. Everybody had their own cabin. For the first time in 9 days, I took a shower. It was wonderful! Then we all gathered with the two guides and I said a few more words to represent the group. We had a nice dinner, and then two people left for the airport by 7 PM. That night, was my first night of sleep in a bed, after 9 days. It was fantastic! The mission was accomplished!\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/Sunrise-up-top-and-heading-down\"><strong>See Photos</strong></a>\r\n<h2>Kilimanjaro Was Amazing!</h2>\r\n<img class=\"size-full wp-image-2213\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/klimanjaro-5.jpg\" alt=\"Klimanjaro (5)\" width=\"128\" height=\"128\" />\r\n\r\nEven though the trip was not exactly as described in the pamphlet, it was something I had had on my bucket list for over 10 years. It was extremely difficult at times. Some of our hikers had difficulty even moving and needed assistance. But we all persevered. I\'ve done 10 Ironman races so far (now 11!), which require monumental training. But the long hike up to the crater from 16,800 feet to 18,400, with the subsequent day of summiting, followed by the 9,000-foot descent, were some of the hardest things that I\'ve ever done. And that includes all my Ironman competitions.\r\n\r\nYou just can\'t imagine what it\'s like trying to move at that altitude. As I said before, it is similar to having a paper bag over your head and trying to grasp for air. There were times I took two or three steps and then had to pause for 15 or 20 seconds just to get my heart rate and breathing back down, repeating that again and again and again. Never looking ahead, only down, because sometimes ten feet took 45-60 seconds to cross. All this while enduring the sub-freezing temperature, the blowing snow, and the wind chill factors. Nothing but grit and determination to keep you going. But the views were spectacular and the feeling of being literally on top of the world made it all worth it.\r\n\r\nI\'ll continue to enjoy my Ironman triathlons and continue to do them as long as I can. But as far as hiking up a mountain to 19,341 feet, this will be my one and only time! It\'s a tremendous accomplishment, but something I would not want to repeat.\r\n\r\n[video poster=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Dancing.png\" width=\"352\" height=\"640\" mp4=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/DANCING-v3.mp4\"][/video]\r\n\r\n<img class=\"alignright\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/final-goodbyes-1.jpg\" />\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/Final-goodbyes-and-certificates\"><strong>See Photos</strong></a></p>\r\n\r\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\">Thank You to Everyone Who Made Kilimanjaro A Possibility!</h3>\r\nThank you to everyone that sent me well wishes before, during, and after my climb. It meant so much!\r\n\r\nI also thank my parents who gave me the will and determination to achieve all the goals in my life, no matter how hard they are.\r\nThey always ingrained this determination in me and encouraged me to just put my head down and keep going to achieve my goals.\r\nAs I said above, they were with me the whole way and always will be.\r\n\r\nThank you for taking the time to read this. I hope this will inspire you that if a goal is desired, to just put your head down and keep going no matter how difficult it may seem.\r\n\r\n<strong>Peter A. Fields, MD, DC </strong>\r\n<strong>The Athletic Doc<sup>®</sup></strong>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/about/the-athletic-doc/about-the-athletic-doc/\">Click here</a> to find out more about <strong>The Athletic Doc<sup>® </sup></strong>','Report of My Kilimanjaro Climb','','inherit','closed','closed','','2208-revision-v1','','','2021-08-30 19:25:17','2021-08-30 19:25:17','',2208,'https://www.drfields.com/?p=4863',0,'revision','',0),(4864,9,'2021-08-30 19:28:17','2021-08-30 19:28:17','16500 18400 13','16500 18400 13','16500 18400 13','inherit','open','closed','','16500-18400-13-2','','','2021-08-30 19:28:17','2021-08-30 19:28:17','',2208,'https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/16500-18400-13.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(4865,9,'2021-08-30 19:30:07','2021-08-30 19:30:07','16500 18400 12','16500 18400 12','16500 18400 12','inherit','open','closed','','16500-18400-12-2','','','2021-08-30 19:30:07','2021-08-30 19:30:07','',2208,'https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/16500-18400-12.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(4866,9,'2021-08-30 19:31:42','2021-08-30 19:31:42','','16000ft','','inherit','open','closed','','16000ft','','','2021-08-30 19:31:42','2021-08-30 19:31:42','',2208,'https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/16000ft.mp4',0,'attachment','video/mp4',0),(4867,9,'2021-08-30 19:33:13','2021-08-30 19:33:13','Dance 18000','Dance 18000','Dance 18000','inherit','open','closed','','dance-18000','','','2021-08-30 19:33:13','2021-08-30 19:33:13','',2208,'https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/dance-18000.png',0,'attachment','image/png',0),(4868,9,'2021-08-30 19:34:25','2021-08-30 19:34:25','<h1>Report of My Kilimanjaro Climb (late by two years!)</h1>\r\n<em>By Peter A. Fields, MD, DC</em>\r\n\r\nAfter waiting ten years with this on my bucket list, I finally was going to climb Kilimanjaro.\r\n<h3>Getting to Mount Kilimanjaro</h3>\r\n<img class=\"alignleft\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/klimanjaro-8.jpg\" alt=\"\" />\r\n\r\nThe trip to Kilimanjaro began with an 11-hour flight to London where I had a 36-hour layover. Saw \"Tina, The Musical\" (life and times of Tina Truner). Great show.  Then 9 ½ hour flight to Nairobi, where I spent 24 hours so I was able to see the city. Then a one-hour flight to Kilimanjaro, Tanzania. My arrival at Kilimanjaro airport was on Sunday night. This was followed by a two-and-a-half-hour ride, with half of it on a very bumpy dirt road, before reaching the destination at the base camp. Since it was almost midnight, I went straight to my tent, which was quite luxurious for camping, and included a sink, a bathroom, and even a shower. I took advantage of a quick shower and went straight to bed.\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/Day-1-Kiliminaro-and-base-camp-arrival\"><strong>See Photos</strong></a></p>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<h3>Pre-Climb Hike</h3>\r\n<img class=\"alignleft\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/klimanjaro-9.jpg\" alt=\"\" />\r\n\r\nAfter a nice breakfast, where I met the other climbers and our trek leaders, we went for a short two-hour hike just to see the local terrain. It was beautiful, with waterfalls and lots of lush plants and greenery. The guide leader went through our entire pack to make sure that we would be taking everything we needed and that everything was in good shape. The rest of the day was just spent relaxing, except for a short sunset hike of 10 minutes, where at the top of the small hill they had wine waiting for us. A pleasant surprise.\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/Finally-hiking\"><strong>See Photos</strong></a></p>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<h3>First Day Hike Towards Kilimanjaro</h3>\r\n<img class=\"alignleft\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/killi-trailhead-4.jpg\" /><img class=\"alignleft\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/killi-trailhead-3.jpg\" /><img class=\"alignleft\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/killi-trailhead-2.jpg\" />\r\n\r\nAfter a two-hour ride, we arrived at the check-in point. The weather was hot enough to wear shorts and t-shirts since we were only 3 degrees off the equator. There we saw the more than 45 plus Sherpa’s that would accompany us. There were six Sherpa’s( there were six hikers) to carry each person\'s clothing (colder weather gear, nighttime clothes, toiletries, etc.). Then six to carry our bedding, and tents ( double roofed for better rain protection), six would carry our food for 7 days ( three full meals a day), eight of them made up the kitchen team, another team of two would carry the oxygen and medicine, four to carry the toilets and tents over them, plus about 10 other Sherpa’s would carry all the tents, tables and chairs. There were also 10 more to carry all of the sherpa’s food and equipment.\r\n\r\nWe had to register and show our passports, and after that, we took a short 20-minute drive to the trailhead. Arriving at noon, a very nice, well-prepared lunch was ready for us. We started the hike at 7700 feet and climbed to 9300 feet. The area was mostly jungle-like, with a lot of fantastic plants, birds, and other exotic wildlife, including Colobus monkeys and other animals. When we arrived at the camp at 9300 feet, the tents were already set up, and we unpacked our gear in each individual tent, had dinner, and went to sleep.\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/Kili-Getting-to-the-trailhead\"><strong>See Photos</strong></a></p>\r\n\r\n<h3>Second Day Hike</h3>\r\nAt 6:30 AM we were woken up with a hot bowl of water to wash up and get ready for the day. A very full breakfast was prepared for us and then we started off to hike again. For hiking, it’s important to eat three square meals a day as well as drink a minimum of three liters of water a day. Without this exhaustion, dehydration, and more can happen. The guides made sure that we would eat a lot and consume lots of water.\r\n\r\nWe headed off on our hike up to 11,400 feet, crossing from the Montane Forest into the Hagenia Zone, where we saw many different plants and beautiful trees throughout the canyon.\r\n\r\nI felt pretty good, as I had taken Diamox, a medicine to help prevent altitude sickness. I had a Camelback-style drinking system so I was drinking copious amounts of water. At night it was cold but with the proper gear (well worth the expense!), I felt warm.\r\n<h3>Day Three Hike</h3>\r\nWe had another early wake-up call today and another substantial breakfast (scrambled eggs, toast, pancakes, fruit, toast, jelly, peanut butter, tea/coffee, and more. We hiked across a large plateau and gained about 2,100 feet in altitude. It was very interesting as we passed into the upper heath zone, where there were no more trees here, just a lot of different plants. And lots of volcanic rock (the last active volcano here took place over 10,000 years ago).\r\n\r\nThe hiking was very slow and consistent, as they say in Swahili, “Poli, Poli.” Again I felt very good when arriving at Moir camp at 13,500 feet. We had beautiful views of the mountain as the clouds moved away. It was really spectacular!\r\n<h3>Day Four Hike</h3>\r\n<img class=\"alignleft\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/klimanjaro-2.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"170\" height=\"226\" /><img class=\"alignleft\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Kilihiking15000-4.jpg\" width=\"423\" height=\"238\" />\r\n\r\nWe woke up again at 6:30 AM, had breakfast at 7, and were hiking by 7:30. Today was a shorter hike of only 3.1 miles, but we did climb 2000 feet. It was slow in some parts and the steep sections were even slower. Finally, we arrived at camp after hiking for only 2 hours and 20 minutes. We were now at 15,500 feet. The air is very thin, so with every step you take, you have to think about it. But when we arrived at camp, everything seemed to settle down. During the afternoon there was a hale storm that turned into snow, so everybody went into their tents. I probably took a 3-hour well-needed nap. After a good dinner, we all went to bed, but not until we viewed the beautiful skies at 15,500 feet in the southern hemisphere.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/Kili-Hiking-to-15000-feet\"><strong>See Photos</strong></a></p>\r\n\r\n<h3>Day Five Hike</h3>\r\n<img class=\"alignleft\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/klimanjaro-3.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"128\" height=\"170\" />\r\n\r\nWe had the usual wake-up call at 6:30 AM and were on the road by 7:30. It snowed during the night, but only half an inch or so, making everything white and beautiful. The good news is this meant it was right around 32 degrees. The sun came out, so it was warm when we hiked but a little bit cooler when clouds were overhead. Plus with the altitude (lots of breathing) and hiking effort, one was rarely cold. Today\'s hike was only one thousand feet of climbing and a short hike to the base camp. The big hike tomorrow will only be about an hour and 20 minutes, but it will be over a lot of rocks and boulders and will be steep in some places. We arrived at the base camp around\r\n10:30 - 11 in the morning. We were supposed to go for a short hike from there without our packs but it started snowing for over an hour, so that was canceled. Tomorrow morning, we will have a 4 AM wake-up call in anticipation of a 2,300-foot elevation climb up to18,650 feet.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<h3>Day Six Hike</h3>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<img class=\"size-full wp-image-4864\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/16500-18400-13.jpg\" alt=\"16500 18400 13\" width=\"492\" height=\"277\" />\r\n\r\nWake-up call at 4 AM and breakfast at 4:30. The slow group left at 5. We (my hiking partner, myself, and our guide) left about 5:30. At this altitude of over 16,000 feet, everyone moves very slowly. The first little part was steep and slightly snow-covered, but then it got extremely steep and no longer covered in snow.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe climbed 2,400 feet over 2.6 miles. The first hour was in the dark, but we all had headlamps. It was very rocky and we had to use our hands sometimes to climb. We ran into a few other tours on the trail and all of us had to cut across a mountainside since the snow had obliterated the trail the night before.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[video width=\"640\" height=\"480\" mp4=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/camp-16000ft.mp4\" poster=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/camp.png\"][/video]\r\n\r\n<img class=\"size-full wp-image-4865\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/16500-18400-12.jpg\" alt=\"16500 18400 12\" width=\"156\" height=\"277\" />\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe were now over 17, 000 feet. One of the guides from another tour (all the guides know each other) had a pickaxe and so he chopped thru the snow to make it easier on our footing. Even so, it was very slippery. There were times we had to use all four extremities to climb, even kneeling on the next step up because the step was too high to reach with our foot. Breathing was becoming more and more labored and it was difficult to catch our breath in the thinning air.\r\n\r\nWhen we stopped at 18,000 feet for a snack and water, we thought the worst was over, but that wasn’t the case. The next 500 feet were very rocky and slippery, and that along with the very thin air meant we had to take three or four steps before needing to stop for a break. Like having a bag over your head and pulling for each breath.\r\n\r\nFinally, we reached the craters ridge and were very happy. These are remnants of glaciers that once covered this entire valley. The whole valley was snow-covered and looked like we were walking in a desert. When we arrived, we were not allowed to lie down in our tents for about a good hour because we needed to let our bodies acclimate to the thin air at 18,600 feet. After that, we enjoyed a well-deserved nap before an early dinner because we would be getting up again at 4 AM to <em>climb to the top of Kilimanjaro!</em>\r\n\r\n[video width=\"640\" height=\"480\" mp4=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/16000ft.mp4\" poster=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/dance-18000.png\"][/video]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/16-500-feet-to-18-400\"><strong>See Photos</strong></a></p>\r\n\r\n<h2>Day Seven Hike</h2>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_2282\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"397\"]<img class=\"size-full wp-image-2282\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/summit-19341-7.jpg\" alt=\"Summit 19,341 (7)\" width=\"397\" height=\"310\" /> Summit 19,341[/caption]\r\n\r\nThe night was extremely cold, with ground temperatures probably down to zero degrees Fahrenheit. We did everything to keep ourselves warm! I laid my down jacket on top of my sleeping bag (which was rated to zero degrees), plus I had a liner inside the sleeping bag which gave me an additional 25 degrees of warmth. I am definitely not a cold weather person but with the right gear, it was not too bad.\r\nWe were woken up at 4 AM. After eating and packing our stuff ( only our personal things; the Sherpa took care of the sleeping bag and tent each morning and night, we were off for a 75-minute climb, basically straight up and extremely cold. Fortunately, I had bought the best mittens ever and my hands were not cold. Nonetheless, my legs and face took the brunt of it, and we moved very, very slowly. 10 feet could take several minutes. After a very hard, straight-up climbing, we had to cross a flat plane to the actual top of the mountain. The wind was blowing like crazy. The air temp was around minus 10 Fahrenheit with the wind chill probably down to negative 45 or 50 Fahrenheit. But all 6 of us had made it. It was a special feeling…an unbelievable feeling!\r\n\r\nI always carry some ashes of my parents no matter where I travel in this world. And since this was a very special place, I quietly said a prayer, took off my mittens (brrr), and sprinkled some of their ashes at the top. They had made it the whole way with me!\r\n\r\nWe took our pictures and then had to get going due to the intense winds and brutal cold. Fortunately, we summited very early and there were only one or two other groups at the top. Later on, there would be at least 50-100 people. We saw a gorgeous sunrise since it was only about 7 in the morning. We were almost on the equator, and sunrise and sunsets are always at around 6:30 without much variation from season to season.\r\nImmediately, once we started to go down, we could feel the release of pressure in our lungs and chest. The descent and decreasing pressure made it a lot easier on our lungs, plus it was now all downhill. After an hour or two, our quads really felt it, and we would be walking downhill for the next 5 to 6 hours!\r\nWe did stop for a small break for some lunch, but our appetite was low due to altitude. Several of the hikers experienced altitude sickness on the way up, with nausea, diarrhea, headaches loss of appetite, and weakness. But it was worse for me while descending, but fortunately, I had only lost my appetite with slight nausea and it lasted only for a short period of time. Anyway, we finally made it to camp at 10,500 feet. The weather was really nice and a bit warmer, between about 45 to 50 degrees or more. What a difference from the night before! We all had a good meal and rested, as we had been hiking downhill for over 8 hours, and all of our legs were extremely tired.\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/Hiking-to-the-summit-19-341-feet\"><strong>See Photos</strong></a></p>\r\n\r\n<h3>Day Eight Hike</h3>\r\n<img class=\"alignright\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Sunriseuptop-3.jpg\" />\r\n\r\nWe woke up at 6:30 AM, which was a big difference from 4 AM. Today would be our last night, and we would be saying goodbye to all the Sherpas and guides. Only the guides would continue with us. I volunteered to be the spokesperson of the group, which meant I would be collecting the tip money and giving a short speech.\r\n\r\nAfter breakfast, the 40 or so sherpas gathered around singing and dancing. I actually joined them in the dancing, which I have a video of. I was very tired, but it was still worth it. I gave a 3-minute speech thanking every one of them for all of their hard work and dedication, and telling them that their help, whether by carrying a table, carrying sleeping bags, setting up tents, preparing food and everything else they did for us, was all very special and helped us so much.\r\n\r\nWe then set off for our last 6 to 7-hour hike downhill. Although it was not very steep, it was a dried-up river bed that was full of rocks and stones, making footing uneasy, and causing our quads to be even more on fire. But we knew the end was coming, so we just kept going. We stopped for lunch and continued on. After about 7 hours, we saw the base camp. Nothing could be sweeter! I signed out at the Ranger station and basically collapsed into the waiting truck. There were a lot of campers and hikers ending in this same area, so they drove us about 20 minutes away.\r\n\r\nWe had some lunch and then drove the rest of the way back to the lodge, which was a beautiful hotel about half an hour outside of Arusha on an old coffee plantation. Everybody had their own cabin. For the first time in 9 days, I took a shower. It was wonderful! Then we all gathered with the two guides and I said a few more words to represent the group. We had a nice dinner, and then two people left for the airport by 7 PM. That night, was my first night of sleep in a bed, after 9 days. It was fantastic! The mission was accomplished!\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/Sunrise-up-top-and-heading-down\"><strong>See Photos</strong></a>\r\n<h2>Kilimanjaro Was Amazing!</h2>\r\n<img class=\"size-full wp-image-2213\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/klimanjaro-5.jpg\" alt=\"Klimanjaro (5)\" width=\"128\" height=\"128\" />\r\n\r\nEven though the trip was not exactly as described in the pamphlet, it was something I had had on my bucket list for over 10 years. It was extremely difficult at times. Some of our hikers had difficulty even moving and needed assistance. But we all persevered. I\'ve done 10 Ironman races so far (now 11!), which require monumental training. But the long hike up to the crater from 16,800 feet to 18,400, with the subsequent day of summiting, followed by the 9,000-foot descent, were some of the hardest things that I\'ve ever done. And that includes all my Ironman competitions.\r\n\r\nYou just can\'t imagine what it\'s like trying to move at that altitude. As I said before, it is similar to having a paper bag over your head and trying to grasp for air. There were times I took two or three steps and then had to pause for 15 or 20 seconds just to get my heart rate and breathing back down, repeating that again and again and again. Never looking ahead, only down, because sometimes ten feet took 45-60 seconds to cross. All this while enduring the sub-freezing temperature, the blowing snow, and the wind chill factors. Nothing but grit and determination to keep you going. But the views were spectacular and the feeling of being literally on top of the world made it all worth it.\r\n\r\nI\'ll continue to enjoy my Ironman triathlons and continue to do them as long as I can. But as far as hiking up a mountain to 19,341 feet, this will be my one and only time! It\'s a tremendous accomplishment, but something I would not want to repeat.\r\n\r\n[video poster=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Dancing.png\" width=\"352\" height=\"640\" mp4=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/DANCING-v3.mp4\"][/video]\r\n\r\n<img class=\"alignright\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/final-goodbyes-1.jpg\" />\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/Final-goodbyes-and-certificates\"><strong>See Photos</strong></a></p>\r\n\r\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\">Thank You to Everyone Who Made Kilimanjaro A Possibility!</h3>\r\nThank you to everyone that sent me well wishes before, during, and after my climb. It meant so much!\r\n\r\nI also thank my parents who gave me the will and determination to achieve all the goals in my life, no matter how hard they are.\r\nThey always ingrained this determination in me and encouraged me to just put my head down and keep going to achieve my goals.\r\nAs I said above, they were with me the whole way and always will be.\r\n\r\nThank you for taking the time to read this. I hope this will inspire you that if a goal is desired, to just put your head down and keep going no matter how difficult it may seem.\r\n\r\n<strong>Peter A. Fields, MD, DC </strong>\r\n<strong>The Athletic Doc<sup>®</sup></strong>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/about/the-athletic-doc/about-the-athletic-doc/\">Click here</a> to find out more about <strong>The Athletic Doc<sup>® </sup></strong>','Report of My Kilimanjaro Climb','','inherit','closed','closed','','2208-revision-v1','','','2021-08-30 19:34:25','2021-08-30 19:34:25','',2208,'https://www.drfields.com/?p=4868',0,'revision','',0),(4869,9,'2021-08-30 19:35:39','2021-08-30 19:35:39','<h1>Report of My Kilimanjaro Climb (late by two years!)</h1>\r\n<em>By Peter A. Fields, MD, DC</em>\r\n\r\nAfter waiting ten years with this on my bucket list, I finally was going to climb Kilimanjaro.\r\n<h3>Getting to Mount Kilimanjaro</h3>\r\n<img class=\"alignleft\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/klimanjaro-8.jpg\" alt=\"\" />\r\n\r\nThe trip to Kilimanjaro began with an 11-hour flight to London where I had a 36-hour layover. Saw \"Tina, The Musical\" (life and times of Tina Truner). Great show.  Then 9 ½ hour flight to Nairobi, where I spent 24 hours so I was able to see the city. Then a one-hour flight to Kilimanjaro, Tanzania. My arrival at Kilimanjaro airport was on Sunday night. This was followed by a two-and-a-half-hour ride, with half of it on a very bumpy dirt road, before reaching the destination at the base camp. Since it was almost midnight, I went straight to my tent, which was quite luxurious for camping, and included a sink, a bathroom, and even a shower. I took advantage of a quick shower and went straight to bed.\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/Day-1-Kiliminaro-and-base-camp-arrival\"><strong>See Photos</strong></a></p>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<h3>Pre-Climb Hike</h3>\r\n<img class=\"alignleft\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/klimanjaro-9.jpg\" alt=\"\" />\r\n\r\nAfter a nice breakfast, where I met the other climbers and our trek leaders, we went for a short two-hour hike just to see the local terrain. It was beautiful, with waterfalls and lots of lush plants and greenery. The guide leader went through our entire pack to make sure that we would be taking everything we needed and that everything was in good shape. The rest of the day was just spent relaxing, except for a short sunset hike of 10 minutes, where at the top of the small hill they had wine waiting for us. A pleasant surprise.\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/Finally-hiking\"><strong>See Photos</strong></a></p>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<h3>First Day Hike Towards Kilimanjaro</h3>\r\n<img class=\"alignleft\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/killi-trailhead-4.jpg\" /><img class=\"alignleft\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/killi-trailhead-3.jpg\" /><img class=\"alignleft\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/killi-trailhead-2.jpg\" />\r\n\r\nAfter a two-hour ride, we arrived at the check-in point. The weather was hot enough to wear shorts and t-shirts since we were only 3 degrees off the equator. There we saw the more than 45 plus Sherpa’s that would accompany us. There were six Sherpa’s( there were six hikers) to carry each person\'s clothing (colder weather gear, nighttime clothes, toiletries, etc.). Then six to carry our bedding, and tents ( double roofed for better rain protection), six would carry our food for 7 days ( three full meals a day), eight of them made up the kitchen team, another team of two would carry the oxygen and medicine, four to carry the toilets and tents over them, plus about 10 other Sherpa’s would carry all the tents, tables and chairs. There were also 10 more to carry all of the sherpa’s food and equipment.\r\n\r\nWe had to register and show our passports, and after that, we took a short 20-minute drive to the trailhead. Arriving at noon, a very nice, well-prepared lunch was ready for us. We started the hike at 7700 feet and climbed to 9300 feet. The area was mostly jungle-like, with a lot of fantastic plants, birds, and other exotic wildlife, including Colobus monkeys and other animals. When we arrived at the camp at 9300 feet, the tents were already set up, and we unpacked our gear in each individual tent, had dinner, and went to sleep.\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/Kili-Getting-to-the-trailhead\"><strong>See Photos</strong></a></p>\r\n\r\n<h3>Second Day Hike</h3>\r\nAt 6:30 AM we were woken up with a hot bowl of water to wash up and get ready for the day. A very full breakfast was prepared for us and then we started off to hike again. For hiking, it’s important to eat three square meals a day as well as drink a minimum of three liters of water a day. Without this exhaustion, dehydration, and more can happen. The guides made sure that we would eat a lot and consume lots of water.\r\n\r\nWe headed off on our hike up to 11,400 feet, crossing from the Montane Forest into the Hagenia Zone, where we saw many different plants and beautiful trees throughout the canyon.\r\n\r\nI felt pretty good, as I had taken Diamox, a medicine to help prevent altitude sickness. I had a Camelback-style drinking system so I was drinking copious amounts of water. At night it was cold but with the proper gear (well worth the expense!), I felt warm.\r\n<h3>Day Three Hike</h3>\r\nWe had another early wake-up call today and another substantial breakfast (scrambled eggs, toast, pancakes, fruit, toast, jelly, peanut butter, tea/coffee, and more. We hiked across a large plateau and gained about 2,100 feet in altitude. It was very interesting as we passed into the upper heath zone, where there were no more trees here, just a lot of different plants. And lots of volcanic rock (the last active volcano here took place over 10,000 years ago).\r\n\r\nThe hiking was very slow and consistent, as they say in Swahili, “Poli, Poli.” Again I felt very good when arriving at Moir camp at 13,500 feet. We had beautiful views of the mountain as the clouds moved away. It was really spectacular!\r\n<h3>Day Four Hike</h3>\r\n<img class=\"alignleft\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/klimanjaro-2.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"170\" height=\"226\" /><img class=\"alignleft\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Kilihiking15000-4.jpg\" width=\"423\" height=\"238\" />\r\n\r\nWe woke up again at 6:30 AM, had breakfast at 7, and were hiking by 7:30. Today was a shorter hike of only 3.1 miles, but we did climb 2000 feet. It was slow in some parts and the steep sections were even slower. Finally, we arrived at camp after hiking for only 2 hours and 20 minutes. We were now at 15,500 feet. The air is very thin, so with every step you take, you have to think about it. But when we arrived at camp, everything seemed to settle down. During the afternoon there was a hale storm that turned into snow, so everybody went into their tents. I probably took a 3-hour well-needed nap. After a good dinner, we all went to bed, but not until we viewed the beautiful skies at 15,500 feet in the southern hemisphere.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/Kili-Hiking-to-15000-feet\"><strong>See Photos</strong></a></p>\r\n\r\n<h3>Day Five Hike</h3>\r\n<img class=\"alignleft\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/klimanjaro-3.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"128\" height=\"170\" />\r\n\r\nWe had the usual wake-up call at 6:30 AM and were on the road by 7:30. It snowed during the night, but only half an inch or so, making everything white and beautiful. The good news is this meant it was right around 32 degrees. The sun came out, so it was warm when we hiked but a little bit cooler when clouds were overhead. Plus with the altitude (lots of breathing) and hiking effort, one was rarely cold. Today\'s hike was only one thousand feet of climbing and a short hike to the base camp. The big hike tomorrow will only be about an hour and 20 minutes, but it will be over a lot of rocks and boulders and will be steep in some places. We arrived at the base camp around\r\n10:30 - 11 in the morning. We were supposed to go for a short hike from there without our packs but it started snowing for over an hour, so that was canceled. Tomorrow morning, we will have a 4 AM wake-up call in anticipation of a 2,300-foot elevation climb up to18,650 feet.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<h3>Day Six Hike</h3>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<img class=\"size-full wp-image-4864 alignleft\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/16500-18400-13.jpg\" alt=\"16500 18400 13\" width=\"492\" height=\"277\" />\r\n\r\nWake-up call at 4 AM and breakfast at 4:30. The slow group left at 5. We (my hiking partner, myself, and our guide) left about 5:30. At this altitude of over 16,000 feet, everyone moves very slowly. The first little part was steep and slightly snow-covered, but then it got extremely steep and no longer covered in snow.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe climbed 2,400 feet over 2.6 miles. The first hour was in the dark, but we all had headlamps. It was very rocky and we had to use our hands sometimes to climb. We ran into a few other tours on the trail and all of us had to cut across a mountainside since the snow had obliterated the trail the night before.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[video width=\"640\" height=\"480\" mp4=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/camp-16000ft.mp4\" poster=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/camp.png\"][/video]\r\n\r\n<img class=\"size-full wp-image-4865\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/16500-18400-12.jpg\" alt=\"16500 18400 12\" width=\"156\" height=\"277\" />\r\n\r\nWe were now over 17, 000 feet. One of the guides from another tour (all the guides know each other) had a pickaxe and so he chopped thru the snow to make it easier on our footing. Even so, it was very slippery. There were times we had to use all four extremities to climb, even kneeling on the next step up because the step was too high to reach with our foot. Breathing was becoming more and more labored and it was difficult to catch our breath in the thinning air.\r\n\r\nWhen we stopped at 18,000 feet for a snack and water, we thought the worst was over, but that wasn’t the case. The next 500 feet were very rocky and slippery, and that along with the very thin air meant we had to take three or four steps before needing to stop for a break. Like having a bag over your head and pulling for each breath.\r\n\r\nFinally, we reached the craters ridge and were very happy. These are remnants of glaciers that once covered this entire valley. The whole valley was snow-covered and looked like we were walking in a desert. When we arrived, we were not allowed to lie down in our tents for about a good hour because we needed to let our bodies acclimate to the thin air at 18,600 feet. After that, we enjoyed a well-deserved nap before an early dinner because we would be getting up again at 4 AM to <em>climb to the top of Kilimanjaro!</em>\r\n\r\n[video width=\"640\" height=\"480\" mp4=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/16000ft.mp4\" poster=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/dance-18000.png\"][/video]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/16-500-feet-to-18-400\"><strong>See Photos</strong></a></p>\r\n\r\n<h2>Day Seven Hike</h2>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_2282\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"397\"]<img class=\"size-full wp-image-2282\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/summit-19341-7.jpg\" alt=\"Summit 19,341 (7)\" width=\"397\" height=\"310\" /> Summit 19,341[/caption]\r\n\r\nThe night was extremely cold, with ground temperatures probably down to zero degrees Fahrenheit. We did everything to keep ourselves warm! I laid my down jacket on top of my sleeping bag (which was rated to zero degrees), plus I had a liner inside the sleeping bag which gave me an additional 25 degrees of warmth. I am definitely not a cold weather person but with the right gear, it was not too bad.\r\nWe were woken up at 4 AM. After eating and packing our stuff ( only our personal things; the Sherpa took care of the sleeping bag and tent each morning and night, we were off for a 75-minute climb, basically straight up and extremely cold. Fortunately, I had bought the best mittens ever and my hands were not cold. Nonetheless, my legs and face took the brunt of it, and we moved very, very slowly. 10 feet could take several minutes. After a very hard, straight-up climbing, we had to cross a flat plane to the actual top of the mountain. The wind was blowing like crazy. The air temp was around minus 10 Fahrenheit with the wind chill probably down to negative 45 or 50 Fahrenheit. But all 6 of us had made it. It was a special feeling…an unbelievable feeling!\r\n\r\nI always carry some ashes of my parents no matter where I travel in this world. And since this was a very special place, I quietly said a prayer, took off my mittens (brrr), and sprinkled some of their ashes at the top. They had made it the whole way with me!\r\n\r\nWe took our pictures and then had to get going due to the intense winds and brutal cold. Fortunately, we summited very early and there were only one or two other groups at the top. Later on, there would be at least 50-100 people. We saw a gorgeous sunrise since it was only about 7 in the morning. We were almost on the equator, and sunrise and sunsets are always at around 6:30 without much variation from season to season.\r\nImmediately, once we started to go down, we could feel the release of pressure in our lungs and chest. The descent and decreasing pressure made it a lot easier on our lungs, plus it was now all downhill. After an hour or two, our quads really felt it, and we would be walking downhill for the next 5 to 6 hours!\r\nWe did stop for a small break for some lunch, but our appetite was low due to altitude. Several of the hikers experienced altitude sickness on the way up, with nausea, diarrhea, headaches loss of appetite, and weakness. But it was worse for me while descending, but fortunately, I had only lost my appetite with slight nausea and it lasted only for a short period of time. Anyway, we finally made it to camp at 10,500 feet. The weather was really nice and a bit warmer, between about 45 to 50 degrees or more. What a difference from the night before! We all had a good meal and rested, as we had been hiking downhill for over 8 hours, and all of our legs were extremely tired.\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/Hiking-to-the-summit-19-341-feet\"><strong>See Photos</strong></a></p>\r\n\r\n<h3>Day Eight Hike</h3>\r\n<img class=\"alignright\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Sunriseuptop-3.jpg\" />\r\n\r\nWe woke up at 6:30 AM, which was a big difference from 4 AM. Today would be our last night, and we would be saying goodbye to all the Sherpas and guides. Only the guides would continue with us. I volunteered to be the spokesperson of the group, which meant I would be collecting the tip money and giving a short speech.\r\n\r\nAfter breakfast, the 40 or so sherpas gathered around singing and dancing. I actually joined them in the dancing, which I have a video of. I was very tired, but it was still worth it. I gave a 3-minute speech thanking every one of them for all of their hard work and dedication, and telling them that their help, whether by carrying a table, carrying sleeping bags, setting up tents, preparing food and everything else they did for us, was all very special and helped us so much.\r\n\r\nWe then set off for our last 6 to 7-hour hike downhill. Although it was not very steep, it was a dried-up river bed that was full of rocks and stones, making footing uneasy, and causing our quads to be even more on fire. But we knew the end was coming, so we just kept going. We stopped for lunch and continued on. After about 7 hours, we saw the base camp. Nothing could be sweeter! I signed out at the Ranger station and basically collapsed into the waiting truck. There were a lot of campers and hikers ending in this same area, so they drove us about 20 minutes away.\r\n\r\nWe had some lunch and then drove the rest of the way back to the lodge, which was a beautiful hotel about half an hour outside of Arusha on an old coffee plantation. Everybody had their own cabin. For the first time in 9 days, I took a shower. It was wonderful! Then we all gathered with the two guides and I said a few more words to represent the group. We had a nice dinner, and then two people left for the airport by 7 PM. That night, was my first night of sleep in a bed, after 9 days. It was fantastic! The mission was accomplished!\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/Sunrise-up-top-and-heading-down\"><strong>See Photos</strong></a>\r\n<h2>Kilimanjaro Was Amazing!</h2>\r\n<img class=\"size-full wp-image-2213\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/klimanjaro-5.jpg\" alt=\"Klimanjaro (5)\" width=\"128\" height=\"128\" />\r\n\r\nEven though the trip was not exactly as described in the pamphlet, it was something I had had on my bucket list for over 10 years. It was extremely difficult at times. Some of our hikers had difficulty even moving and needed assistance. But we all persevered. I\'ve done 10 Ironman races so far (now 11!), which require monumental training. But the long hike up to the crater from 16,800 feet to 18,400, with the subsequent day of summiting, followed by the 9,000-foot descent, were some of the hardest things that I\'ve ever done. And that includes all my Ironman competitions.\r\n\r\nYou just can\'t imagine what it\'s like trying to move at that altitude. As I said before, it is similar to having a paper bag over your head and trying to grasp for air. There were times I took two or three steps and then had to pause for 15 or 20 seconds just to get my heart rate and breathing back down, repeating that again and again and again. Never looking ahead, only down, because sometimes ten feet took 45-60 seconds to cross. All this while enduring the sub-freezing temperature, the blowing snow, and the wind chill factors. Nothing but grit and determination to keep you going. But the views were spectacular and the feeling of being literally on top of the world made it all worth it.\r\n\r\nI\'ll continue to enjoy my Ironman triathlons and continue to do them as long as I can. But as far as hiking up a mountain to 19,341 feet, this will be my one and only time! It\'s a tremendous accomplishment, but something I would not want to repeat.\r\n\r\n[video poster=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Dancing.png\" width=\"352\" height=\"640\" mp4=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/DANCING-v3.mp4\"][/video]\r\n\r\n<img class=\"alignright\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/final-goodbyes-1.jpg\" />\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/Final-goodbyes-and-certificates\"><strong>See Photos</strong></a></p>\r\n\r\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\">Thank You to Everyone Who Made Kilimanjaro A Possibility!</h3>\r\nThank you to everyone that sent me well wishes before, during, and after my climb. It meant so much!\r\n\r\nI also thank my parents who gave me the will and determination to achieve all the goals in my life, no matter how hard they are.\r\nThey always ingrained this determination in me and encouraged me to just put my head down and keep going to achieve my goals.\r\nAs I said above, they were with me the whole way and always will be.\r\n\r\nThank you for taking the time to read this. I hope this will inspire you that if a goal is desired, to just put your head down and keep going no matter how difficult it may seem.\r\n\r\n<strong>Peter A. Fields, MD, DC </strong>\r\n<strong>The Athletic Doc<sup>®</sup></strong>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/about/the-athletic-doc/about-the-athletic-doc/\">Click here</a> to find out more about <strong>The Athletic Doc<sup>® </sup></strong>','Report of My Kilimanjaro Climb','','inherit','closed','closed','','2208-revision-v1','','','2021-08-30 19:35:39','2021-08-30 19:35:39','',2208,'https://www.drfields.com/?p=4869',0,'revision','',0),(4870,9,'2021-08-30 19:35:59','2021-08-30 19:35:59','<h1>Report of My Kilimanjaro Climb (late by two years!)</h1>\r\n<em>By Peter A. Fields, MD, DC</em>\r\n\r\nAfter waiting ten years with this on my bucket list, I finally was going to climb Kilimanjaro.\r\n<h3>Getting to Mount Kilimanjaro</h3>\r\n<img class=\"alignleft\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/klimanjaro-8.jpg\" alt=\"\" />\r\n\r\nThe trip to Kilimanjaro began with an 11-hour flight to London where I had a 36-hour layover. Saw \"Tina, The Musical\" (life and times of Tina Truner). Great show.  Then 9 ½ hour flight to Nairobi, where I spent 24 hours so I was able to see the city. Then a one-hour flight to Kilimanjaro, Tanzania. My arrival at Kilimanjaro airport was on Sunday night. This was followed by a two-and-a-half-hour ride, with half of it on a very bumpy dirt road, before reaching the destination at the base camp. Since it was almost midnight, I went straight to my tent, which was quite luxurious for camping, and included a sink, a bathroom, and even a shower. I took advantage of a quick shower and went straight to bed.\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/Day-1-Kiliminaro-and-base-camp-arrival\"><strong>See Photos</strong></a></p>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<h3>Pre-Climb Hike</h3>\r\n<img class=\"alignleft\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/klimanjaro-9.jpg\" alt=\"\" />\r\n\r\nAfter a nice breakfast, where I met the other climbers and our trek leaders, we went for a short two-hour hike just to see the local terrain. It was beautiful, with waterfalls and lots of lush plants and greenery. The guide leader went through our entire pack to make sure that we would be taking everything we needed and that everything was in good shape. The rest of the day was just spent relaxing, except for a short sunset hike of 10 minutes, where at the top of the small hill they had wine waiting for us. A pleasant surprise.\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/Finally-hiking\"><strong>See Photos</strong></a></p>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<h3>First Day Hike Towards Kilimanjaro</h3>\r\n<img class=\"alignleft\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/killi-trailhead-4.jpg\" /><img class=\"alignleft\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/killi-trailhead-3.jpg\" /><img class=\"alignleft\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/killi-trailhead-2.jpg\" />\r\n\r\nAfter a two-hour ride, we arrived at the check-in point. The weather was hot enough to wear shorts and t-shirts since we were only 3 degrees off the equator. There we saw the more than 45 plus Sherpa’s that would accompany us. There were six Sherpa’s( there were six hikers) to carry each person\'s clothing (colder weather gear, nighttime clothes, toiletries, etc.). Then six to carry our bedding, and tents ( double roofed for better rain protection), six would carry our food for 7 days ( three full meals a day), eight of them made up the kitchen team, another team of two would carry the oxygen and medicine, four to carry the toilets and tents over them, plus about 10 other Sherpa’s would carry all the tents, tables and chairs. There were also 10 more to carry all of the sherpa’s food and equipment.\r\n\r\nWe had to register and show our passports, and after that, we took a short 20-minute drive to the trailhead. Arriving at noon, a very nice, well-prepared lunch was ready for us. We started the hike at 7700 feet and climbed to 9300 feet. The area was mostly jungle-like, with a lot of fantastic plants, birds, and other exotic wildlife, including Colobus monkeys and other animals. When we arrived at the camp at 9300 feet, the tents were already set up, and we unpacked our gear in each individual tent, had dinner, and went to sleep.\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/Kili-Getting-to-the-trailhead\"><strong>See Photos</strong></a></p>\r\n\r\n<h3>Second Day Hike</h3>\r\nAt 6:30 AM we were woken up with a hot bowl of water to wash up and get ready for the day. A very full breakfast was prepared for us and then we started off to hike again. For hiking, it’s important to eat three square meals a day as well as drink a minimum of three liters of water a day. Without this exhaustion, dehydration, and more can happen. The guides made sure that we would eat a lot and consume lots of water.\r\n\r\nWe headed off on our hike up to 11,400 feet, crossing from the Montane Forest into the Hagenia Zone, where we saw many different plants and beautiful trees throughout the canyon.\r\n\r\nI felt pretty good, as I had taken Diamox, a medicine to help prevent altitude sickness. I had a Camelback-style drinking system so I was drinking copious amounts of water. At night it was cold but with the proper gear (well worth the expense!), I felt warm.\r\n<h3>Day Three Hike</h3>\r\nWe had another early wake-up call today and another substantial breakfast (scrambled eggs, toast, pancakes, fruit, toast, jelly, peanut butter, tea/coffee, and more. We hiked across a large plateau and gained about 2,100 feet in altitude. It was very interesting as we passed into the upper heath zone, where there were no more trees here, just a lot of different plants. And lots of volcanic rock (the last active volcano here took place over 10,000 years ago).\r\n\r\nThe hiking was very slow and consistent, as they say in Swahili, “Poli, Poli.” Again I felt very good when arriving at Moir camp at 13,500 feet. We had beautiful views of the mountain as the clouds moved away. It was really spectacular!\r\n<h3>Day Four Hike</h3>\r\n<img class=\"alignleft\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/klimanjaro-2.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"170\" height=\"226\" /><img class=\"alignleft\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Kilihiking15000-4.jpg\" width=\"423\" height=\"238\" />\r\n\r\nWe woke up again at 6:30 AM, had breakfast at 7, and were hiking by 7:30. Today was a shorter hike of only 3.1 miles, but we did climb 2000 feet. It was slow in some parts and the steep sections were even slower. Finally, we arrived at camp after hiking for only 2 hours and 20 minutes. We were now at 15,500 feet. The air is very thin, so with every step you take, you have to think about it. But when we arrived at camp, everything seemed to settle down. During the afternoon there was a hale storm that turned into snow, so everybody went into their tents. I probably took a 3-hour well-needed nap. After a good dinner, we all went to bed, but not until we viewed the beautiful skies at 15,500 feet in the southern hemisphere.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/Kili-Hiking-to-15000-feet\"><strong>See Photos</strong></a></p>\r\n\r\n<h3>Day Five Hike</h3>\r\n<img class=\"alignleft\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/klimanjaro-3.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"128\" height=\"170\" />\r\n\r\nWe had the usual wake-up call at 6:30 AM and were on the road by 7:30. It snowed during the night, but only half an inch or so, making everything white and beautiful. The good news is this meant it was right around 32 degrees. The sun came out, so it was warm when we hiked but a little bit cooler when clouds were overhead. Plus with the altitude (lots of breathing) and hiking effort, one was rarely cold. Today\'s hike was only one thousand feet of climbing and a short hike to the base camp. The big hike tomorrow will only be about an hour and 20 minutes, but it will be over a lot of rocks and boulders and will be steep in some places. We arrived at the base camp around\r\n10:30 - 11 in the morning. We were supposed to go for a short hike from there without our packs but it started snowing for over an hour, so that was canceled. Tomorrow morning, we will have a 4 AM wake-up call in anticipation of a 2,300-foot elevation climb up to18,650 feet.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<h3>Day Six Hike</h3>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<img class=\"size-full wp-image-4864 alignleft\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/16500-18400-13.jpg\" alt=\"16500 18400 13\" width=\"492\" height=\"277\" />\r\n\r\nWake-up call at 4 AM and breakfast at 4:30. The slow group left at 5. We (my hiking partner, myself, and our guide) left about 5:30. At this altitude of over 16,000 feet, everyone moves very slowly. The first little part was steep and slightly snow-covered, but then it got extremely steep and no longer covered in snow.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe climbed 2,400 feet over 2.6 miles. The first hour was in the dark, but we all had headlamps. It was very rocky and we had to use our hands sometimes to climb. We ran into a few other tours on the trail and all of us had to cut across a mountainside since the snow had obliterated the trail the night before.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[video width=\"640\" height=\"480\" mp4=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/camp-16000ft.mp4\" poster=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/camp.png\"][/video]\r\n\r\n<img class=\"size-full wp-image-4865 alignleft\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/16500-18400-12.jpg\" alt=\"16500 18400 12\" width=\"156\" height=\"277\" />\r\n\r\nWe were now over 17, 000 feet. One of the guides from another tour (all the guides know each other) had a pickaxe and so he chopped thru the snow to make it easier on our footing. Even so, it was very slippery. There were times we had to use all four extremities to climb, even kneeling on the next step up because the step was too high to reach with our foot. Breathing was becoming more and more labored and it was difficult to catch our breath in the thinning air.\r\n\r\nWhen we stopped at 18,000 feet for a snack and water, we thought the worst was over, but that wasn’t the case. The next 500 feet were very rocky and slippery, and that along with the very thin air meant we had to take three or four steps before needing to stop for a break. Like having a bag over your head and pulling for each breath.\r\n\r\nFinally, we reached the craters ridge and were very happy. These are remnants of glaciers that once covered this entire valley. The whole valley was snow-covered and looked like we were walking in a desert. When we arrived, we were not allowed to lie down in our tents for about a good hour because we needed to let our bodies acclimate to the thin air at 18,600 feet. After that, we enjoyed a well-deserved nap before an early dinner because we would be getting up again at 4 AM to <em>climb to the top of Kilimanjaro!</em>\r\n\r\n[video width=\"640\" height=\"480\" mp4=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/16000ft.mp4\" poster=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/dance-18000.png\"][/video]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/16-500-feet-to-18-400\"><strong>See Photos</strong></a></p>\r\n\r\n<h2>Day Seven Hike</h2>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_2282\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"397\"]<img class=\"size-full wp-image-2282\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/summit-19341-7.jpg\" alt=\"Summit 19,341 (7)\" width=\"397\" height=\"310\" /> Summit 19,341[/caption]\r\n\r\nThe night was extremely cold, with ground temperatures probably down to zero degrees Fahrenheit. We did everything to keep ourselves warm! I laid my down jacket on top of my sleeping bag (which was rated to zero degrees), plus I had a liner inside the sleeping bag which gave me an additional 25 degrees of warmth. I am definitely not a cold weather person but with the right gear, it was not too bad.\r\nWe were woken up at 4 AM. After eating and packing our stuff ( only our personal things; the Sherpa took care of the sleeping bag and tent each morning and night, we were off for a 75-minute climb, basically straight up and extremely cold. Fortunately, I had bought the best mittens ever and my hands were not cold. Nonetheless, my legs and face took the brunt of it, and we moved very, very slowly. 10 feet could take several minutes. After a very hard, straight-up climbing, we had to cross a flat plane to the actual top of the mountain. The wind was blowing like crazy. The air temp was around minus 10 Fahrenheit with the wind chill probably down to negative 45 or 50 Fahrenheit. But all 6 of us had made it. It was a special feeling…an unbelievable feeling!\r\n\r\nI always carry some ashes of my parents no matter where I travel in this world. And since this was a very special place, I quietly said a prayer, took off my mittens (brrr), and sprinkled some of their ashes at the top. They had made it the whole way with me!\r\n\r\nWe took our pictures and then had to get going due to the intense winds and brutal cold. Fortunately, we summited very early and there were only one or two other groups at the top. Later on, there would be at least 50-100 people. We saw a gorgeous sunrise since it was only about 7 in the morning. We were almost on the equator, and sunrise and sunsets are always at around 6:30 without much variation from season to season.\r\nImmediately, once we started to go down, we could feel the release of pressure in our lungs and chest. The descent and decreasing pressure made it a lot easier on our lungs, plus it was now all downhill. After an hour or two, our quads really felt it, and we would be walking downhill for the next 5 to 6 hours!\r\nWe did stop for a small break for some lunch, but our appetite was low due to altitude. Several of the hikers experienced altitude sickness on the way up, with nausea, diarrhea, headaches loss of appetite, and weakness. But it was worse for me while descending, but fortunately, I had only lost my appetite with slight nausea and it lasted only for a short period of time. Anyway, we finally made it to camp at 10,500 feet. The weather was really nice and a bit warmer, between about 45 to 50 degrees or more. What a difference from the night before! We all had a good meal and rested, as we had been hiking downhill for over 8 hours, and all of our legs were extremely tired.\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/Hiking-to-the-summit-19-341-feet\"><strong>See Photos</strong></a></p>\r\n\r\n<h3>Day Eight Hike</h3>\r\n<img class=\"alignright\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Sunriseuptop-3.jpg\" />\r\n\r\nWe woke up at 6:30 AM, which was a big difference from 4 AM. Today would be our last night, and we would be saying goodbye to all the Sherpas and guides. Only the guides would continue with us. I volunteered to be the spokesperson of the group, which meant I would be collecting the tip money and giving a short speech.\r\n\r\nAfter breakfast, the 40 or so sherpas gathered around singing and dancing. I actually joined them in the dancing, which I have a video of. I was very tired, but it was still worth it. I gave a 3-minute speech thanking every one of them for all of their hard work and dedication, and telling them that their help, whether by carrying a table, carrying sleeping bags, setting up tents, preparing food and everything else they did for us, was all very special and helped us so much.\r\n\r\nWe then set off for our last 6 to 7-hour hike downhill. Although it was not very steep, it was a dried-up river bed that was full of rocks and stones, making footing uneasy, and causing our quads to be even more on fire. But we knew the end was coming, so we just kept going. We stopped for lunch and continued on. After about 7 hours, we saw the base camp. Nothing could be sweeter! I signed out at the Ranger station and basically collapsed into the waiting truck. There were a lot of campers and hikers ending in this same area, so they drove us about 20 minutes away.\r\n\r\nWe had some lunch and then drove the rest of the way back to the lodge, which was a beautiful hotel about half an hour outside of Arusha on an old coffee plantation. Everybody had their own cabin. For the first time in 9 days, I took a shower. It was wonderful! Then we all gathered with the two guides and I said a few more words to represent the group. We had a nice dinner, and then two people left for the airport by 7 PM. That night, was my first night of sleep in a bed, after 9 days. It was fantastic! The mission was accomplished!\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/Sunrise-up-top-and-heading-down\"><strong>See Photos</strong></a>\r\n<h2>Kilimanjaro Was Amazing!</h2>\r\n<img class=\"size-full wp-image-2213\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/klimanjaro-5.jpg\" alt=\"Klimanjaro (5)\" width=\"128\" height=\"128\" />\r\n\r\nEven though the trip was not exactly as described in the pamphlet, it was something I had had on my bucket list for over 10 years. It was extremely difficult at times. Some of our hikers had difficulty even moving and needed assistance. But we all persevered. I\'ve done 10 Ironman races so far (now 11!), which require monumental training. But the long hike up to the crater from 16,800 feet to 18,400, with the subsequent day of summiting, followed by the 9,000-foot descent, were some of the hardest things that I\'ve ever done. And that includes all my Ironman competitions.\r\n\r\nYou just can\'t imagine what it\'s like trying to move at that altitude. As I said before, it is similar to having a paper bag over your head and trying to grasp for air. There were times I took two or three steps and then had to pause for 15 or 20 seconds just to get my heart rate and breathing back down, repeating that again and again and again. Never looking ahead, only down, because sometimes ten feet took 45-60 seconds to cross. All this while enduring the sub-freezing temperature, the blowing snow, and the wind chill factors. Nothing but grit and determination to keep you going. But the views were spectacular and the feeling of being literally on top of the world made it all worth it.\r\n\r\nI\'ll continue to enjoy my Ironman triathlons and continue to do them as long as I can. But as far as hiking up a mountain to 19,341 feet, this will be my one and only time! It\'s a tremendous accomplishment, but something I would not want to repeat.\r\n\r\n[video poster=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Dancing.png\" width=\"352\" height=\"640\" mp4=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/DANCING-v3.mp4\"][/video]\r\n\r\n<img class=\"alignright\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/final-goodbyes-1.jpg\" />\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/Final-goodbyes-and-certificates\"><strong>See Photos</strong></a></p>\r\n\r\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\">Thank You to Everyone Who Made Kilimanjaro A Possibility!</h3>\r\nThank you to everyone that sent me well wishes before, during, and after my climb. It meant so much!\r\n\r\nI also thank my parents who gave me the will and determination to achieve all the goals in my life, no matter how hard they are.\r\nThey always ingrained this determination in me and encouraged me to just put my head down and keep going to achieve my goals.\r\nAs I said above, they were with me the whole way and always will be.\r\n\r\nThank you for taking the time to read this. I hope this will inspire you that if a goal is desired, to just put your head down and keep going no matter how difficult it may seem.\r\n\r\n<strong>Peter A. Fields, MD, DC </strong>\r\n<strong>The Athletic Doc<sup>®</sup></strong>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/about/the-athletic-doc/about-the-athletic-doc/\">Click here</a> to find out more about <strong>The Athletic Doc<sup>® </sup></strong>','Report of My Kilimanjaro Climb','','inherit','closed','closed','','2208-revision-v1','','','2021-08-30 19:35:59','2021-08-30 19:35:59','',2208,'https://www.drfields.com/?p=4870',0,'revision','',0),(4871,9,'2021-08-30 19:37:49','2021-08-30 19:37:49','<h1>Report of My Kilimanjaro Climb (late by two years!)</h1>\r\n<em>By Peter A. Fields, MD, DC</em>\r\n\r\nAfter waiting ten years with this on my bucket list, I finally was going to climb Kilimanjaro.\r\n<h3>Getting to Mount Kilimanjaro</h3>\r\n<img class=\"alignleft\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/klimanjaro-8.jpg\" alt=\"\" />\r\n\r\nThe trip to Kilimanjaro began with an 11-hour flight to London where I had a 36-hour layover. Saw \"Tina, The Musical\" (life and times of Tina Truner). Great show.  Then 9 ½ hour flight to Nairobi, where I spent 24 hours so I was able to see the city. Then a one-hour flight to Kilimanjaro, Tanzania. My arrival at Kilimanjaro airport was on Sunday night. This was followed by a two-and-a-half-hour ride, with half of it on a very bumpy dirt road, before reaching the destination at the base camp. Since it was almost midnight, I went straight to my tent, which was quite luxurious for camping, and included a sink, a bathroom, and even a shower. I took advantage of a quick shower and went straight to bed.\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/Day-1-Kiliminaro-and-base-camp-arrival\"><strong>See Photos</strong></a></p>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<h3>Pre-Climb Hike</h3>\r\n<img class=\"alignleft\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/klimanjaro-9.jpg\" alt=\"\" />\r\n\r\nAfter a nice breakfast, where I met the other climbers and our trek leaders, we went for a short two-hour hike just to see the local terrain. It was beautiful, with waterfalls and lots of lush plants and greenery. The guide leader went through our entire pack to make sure that we would be taking everything we needed and that everything was in good shape. The rest of the day was just spent relaxing, except for a short sunset hike of 10 minutes, where at the top of the small hill they had wine waiting for us. A pleasant surprise.\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/Finally-hiking\"><strong>See Photos</strong></a></p>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<h3>First Day Hike Towards Kilimanjaro</h3>\r\n<img class=\"alignleft\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/killi-trailhead-4.jpg\" /><img class=\"alignleft\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/killi-trailhead-3.jpg\" /><img class=\"alignleft\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/killi-trailhead-2.jpg\" />\r\n\r\nAfter a two-hour ride, we arrived at the check-in point. The weather was hot enough to wear shorts and t-shirts since we were only 3 degrees off the equator. There we saw the more than 45 plus Sherpa’s that would accompany us. There were six Sherpa’s( there were six hikers) to carry each person\'s clothing (colder weather gear, nighttime clothes, toiletries, etc.). Then six to carry our bedding, and tents ( double roofed for better rain protection), six would carry our food for 7 days ( three full meals a day), eight of them made up the kitchen team, another team of two would carry the oxygen and medicine, four to carry the toilets and tents over them, plus about 10 other Sherpa’s would carry all the tents, tables and chairs. There were also 10 more to carry all of the sherpa’s food and equipment.\r\n\r\nWe had to register and show our passports, and after that, we took a short 20-minute drive to the trailhead. Arriving at noon, a very nice, well-prepared lunch was ready for us. We started the hike at 7700 feet and climbed to 9300 feet. The area was mostly jungle-like, with a lot of fantastic plants, birds, and other exotic wildlife, including Colobus monkeys and other animals. When we arrived at the camp at 9300 feet, the tents were already set up, and we unpacked our gear in each individual tent, had dinner, and went to sleep.\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/Kili-Getting-to-the-trailhead\"><strong>See Photos</strong></a></p>\r\n\r\n<h3>Second Day Hike</h3>\r\nAt 6:30 AM we were woken up with a hot bowl of water to wash up and get ready for the day. A very full breakfast was prepared for us and then we started off to hike again. For hiking, it’s important to eat three square meals a day as well as drink a minimum of three liters of water a day. Without this exhaustion, dehydration, and more can happen. The guides made sure that we would eat a lot and consume lots of water.\r\n\r\nWe headed off on our hike up to 11,400 feet, crossing from the Montane Forest into the Hagenia Zone, where we saw many different plants and beautiful trees throughout the canyon.\r\n\r\nI felt pretty good, as I had taken Diamox, a medicine to help prevent altitude sickness. I had a Camelback-style drinking system so I was drinking copious amounts of water. At night it was cold but with the proper gear (well worth the expense!), I felt warm.\r\n<h3>Day Three Hike</h3>\r\nWe had another early wake-up call today and another substantial breakfast (scrambled eggs, toast, pancakes, fruit, toast, jelly, peanut butter, tea/coffee, and more. We hiked across a large plateau and gained about 2,100 feet in altitude. It was very interesting as we passed into the upper heath zone, where there were no more trees here, just a lot of different plants. And lots of volcanic rock (the last active volcano here took place over 10,000 years ago).\r\n\r\nThe hiking was very slow and consistent, as they say in Swahili, “Poli, Poli.” Again I felt very good when arriving at Moir camp at 13,500 feet. We had beautiful views of the mountain as the clouds moved away. It was really spectacular!\r\n<h3>Day Four Hike</h3>\r\n<img class=\"alignleft\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/klimanjaro-2.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"170\" height=\"226\" /><img class=\"alignleft\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Kilihiking15000-4.jpg\" width=\"423\" height=\"238\" />\r\n\r\nWe woke up again at 6:30 AM, had breakfast at 7, and were hiking by 7:30. Today was a shorter hike of only 3.1 miles, but we did climb 2000 feet. It was slow in some parts and the steep sections were even slower. Finally, we arrived at camp after hiking for only 2 hours and 20 minutes. We were now at 15,500 feet. The air is very thin, so with every step you take, you have to think about it. But when we arrived at camp, everything seemed to settle down. During the afternoon there was a hale storm that turned into snow, so everybody went into their tents. I probably took a 3-hour well-needed nap. After a good dinner, we all went to bed, but not until we viewed the beautiful skies at 15,500 feet in the southern hemisphere.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/Kili-Hiking-to-15000-feet\"><strong>See Photos</strong></a></p>\r\n\r\n<h3>Day Five Hike</h3>\r\n<img class=\"alignleft\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/klimanjaro-3.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"128\" height=\"170\" />\r\n\r\nWe had the usual wake-up call at 6:30 AM and were on the road by 7:30. It snowed during the night, but only half an inch or so, making everything white and beautiful. The good news is this meant it was right around 32 degrees. The sun came out, so it was warm when we hiked but a little bit cooler when clouds were overhead. Plus with the altitude (lots of breathing) and hiking effort, one was rarely cold. Today\'s hike was only one thousand feet of climbing and a short hike to the base camp. The big hike tomorrow will only be about an hour and 20 minutes, but it will be over a lot of rocks and boulders and will be steep in some places. We arrived at the base camp around\r\n10:30 - 11 in the morning. We were supposed to go for a short hike from there without our packs but it started snowing for over an hour, so that was canceled. Tomorrow morning, we will have a 4 AM wake-up call in anticipation of a 2,300-foot elevation climb up to18,650 feet.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<h3>Day Six Hike</h3>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<img class=\"size-full wp-image-4864 alignleft\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/16500-18400-13.jpg\" alt=\"16500 18400 13\" width=\"492\" height=\"277\" />\r\n\r\nWake-up call at 4 AM and breakfast at 4:30. The slow group left at 5. We (my hiking partner, myself, and our guide) left about 5:30. At this altitude of over 16,000 feet, everyone moves very slowly. The first little part was steep and slightly snow-covered, but then it got extremely steep and no longer covered in snow.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe climbed 2,400 feet over 2.6 miles. The first hour was in the dark, but we all had headlamps. It was very rocky and we had to use our hands sometimes to climb. We ran into a few other tours on the trail and all of us had to cut across a mountainside since the snow had obliterated the trail the night before.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[video width=\"640\" height=\"480\" mp4=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/camp-16000ft.mp4\" poster=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/camp.png\"][/video]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<img class=\"size-full wp-image-4865 alignleft\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/16500-18400-12.jpg\" alt=\"16500 18400 12\" width=\"156\" height=\"277\" />\r\n\r\nWe were now over 17, 000 feet. One of the guides from another tour (all the guides know each other) had a pickaxe and so he chopped thru the snow to make it easier on our footing. Even so, it was very slippery. There were times we had to use all four extremities to climb, even kneeling on the next step up because the step was too high to reach with our foot. Breathing was becoming more and more labored and it was difficult to catch our breath in the thinning air.\r\n\r\nWhen we stopped at 18,000 feet for a snack and water, we thought the worst was over, but that wasn’t the case. The next 500 feet were very rocky and slippery, and that along with the very thin air meant we had to take three or four steps before needing to stop for a break. Like having a bag over your head and pulling for each breath.\r\n\r\nFinally, we reached the craters ridge and were very happy. These are remnants of glaciers that once covered this entire valley. The whole valley was snow-covered and looked like we were walking in a desert. When we arrived, we were not allowed to lie down in our tents for about a good hour because we needed to let our bodies acclimate to the thin air at 18,600 feet. After that, we enjoyed a well-deserved nap before an early dinner because we would be getting up again at 4 AM to <em>climb to the top of Kilimanjaro!</em>\r\n\r\n[video width=\"640\" height=\"480\" mp4=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/16000ft.mp4\" poster=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/dance-18000.png\"][/video]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/16-500-feet-to-18-400\"><strong>See Photos</strong></a></p>\r\n\r\n<h2>Day Seven Hike</h2>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_2282\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"397\"]<img class=\"size-full wp-image-2282\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/summit-19341-7.jpg\" alt=\"Summit 19,341 (7)\" width=\"397\" height=\"310\" /> Summit 19,341[/caption]\r\n\r\nThe night was extremely cold, with ground temperatures probably down to zero degrees Fahrenheit. We did everything to keep ourselves warm! I laid my down jacket on top of my sleeping bag (which was rated to zero degrees), plus I had a liner inside the sleeping bag which gave me an additional 25 degrees of warmth. I am definitely not a cold weather person but with the right gear, it was not too bad.\r\nWe were woken up at 4 AM. After eating and packing our stuff ( only our personal things; the Sherpa took care of the sleeping bag and tent each morning and night, we were off for a 75-minute climb, basically straight up and extremely cold. Fortunately, I had bought the best mittens ever and my hands were not cold. Nonetheless, my legs and face took the brunt of it, and we moved very, very slowly. 10 feet could take several minutes. After a very hard, straight-up climbing, we had to cross a flat plane to the actual top of the mountain. The wind was blowing like crazy. The air temp was around minus 10 Fahrenheit with the wind chill probably down to negative 45 or 50 Fahrenheit. But all 6 of us had made it. It was a special feeling…an unbelievable feeling!\r\n\r\nI always carry some ashes of my parents no matter where I travel in this world. And since this was a very special place, I quietly said a prayer, took off my mittens (brrr), and sprinkled some of their ashes at the top. They had made it the whole way with me!\r\n\r\nWe took our pictures and then had to get going due to the intense winds and brutal cold. Fortunately, we summited very early and there were only one or two other groups at the top. Later on, there would be at least 50-100 people. We saw a gorgeous sunrise since it was only about 7 in the morning. We were almost on the equator, and sunrise and sunsets are always at around 6:30 without much variation from season to season.\r\nImmediately, once we started to go down, we could feel the release of pressure in our lungs and chest. The descent and decreasing pressure made it a lot easier on our lungs, plus it was now all downhill. After an hour or two, our quads really felt it, and we would be walking downhill for the next 5 to 6 hours!\r\nWe did stop for a small break for some lunch, but our appetite was low due to altitude. Several of the hikers experienced altitude sickness on the way up, with nausea, diarrhea, headaches loss of appetite, and weakness. But it was worse for me while descending, but fortunately, I had only lost my appetite with slight nausea and it lasted only for a short period of time. Anyway, we finally made it to camp at 10,500 feet. The weather was really nice and a bit warmer, between about 45 to 50 degrees or more. What a difference from the night before! We all had a good meal and rested, as we had been hiking downhill for over 8 hours, and all of our legs were extremely tired.\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/Hiking-to-the-summit-19-341-feet\"><strong>See Photos</strong></a></p>\r\n\r\n<h3>Day Eight Hike</h3>\r\n<img class=\"alignright\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Sunriseuptop-3.jpg\" />\r\n\r\nWe woke up at 6:30 AM, which was a big difference from 4 AM. Today would be our last night, and we would be saying goodbye to all the Sherpas and guides. Only the guides would continue with us. I volunteered to be the spokesperson of the group, which meant I would be collecting the tip money and giving a short speech.\r\n\r\nAfter breakfast, the 40 or so sherpas gathered around singing and dancing. I actually joined them in the dancing, which I have a video of. I was very tired, but it was still worth it. I gave a 3-minute speech thanking every one of them for all of their hard work and dedication, and telling them that their help, whether by carrying a table, carrying sleeping bags, setting up tents, preparing food and everything else they did for us, was all very special and helped us so much.\r\n\r\nWe then set off for our last 6 to 7-hour hike downhill. Although it was not very steep, it was a dried-up river bed that was full of rocks and stones, making footing uneasy, and causing our quads to be even more on fire. But we knew the end was coming, so we just kept going. We stopped for lunch and continued on. After about 7 hours, we saw the base camp. Nothing could be sweeter! I signed out at the Ranger station and basically collapsed into the waiting truck. There were a lot of campers and hikers ending in this same area, so they drove us about 20 minutes away.\r\n\r\nWe had some lunch and then drove the rest of the way back to the lodge, which was a beautiful hotel about half an hour outside of Arusha on an old coffee plantation. Everybody had their own cabin. For the first time in 9 days, I took a shower. It was wonderful! Then we all gathered with the two guides and I said a few more words to represent the group. We had a nice dinner, and then two people left for the airport by 7 PM. That night, was my first night of sleep in a bed, after 9 days. It was fantastic! The mission was accomplished!\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/Sunrise-up-top-and-heading-down\"><strong>See Photos</strong></a>\r\n<h2>Kilimanjaro Was Amazing!</h2>\r\n<img class=\"size-full wp-image-2213\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/klimanjaro-5.jpg\" alt=\"Klimanjaro (5)\" width=\"128\" height=\"128\" />\r\n\r\nEven though the trip was not exactly as described in the pamphlet, it was something I had had on my bucket list for over 10 years. It was extremely difficult at times. Some of our hikers had difficulty even moving and needed assistance. But we all persevered. I\'ve done 10 Ironman races so far (now 11!), which require monumental training. But the long hike up to the crater from 16,800 feet to 18,400, with the subsequent day of summiting, followed by the 9,000-foot descent, were some of the hardest things that I\'ve ever done. And that includes all my Ironman competitions.\r\n\r\nYou just can\'t imagine what it\'s like trying to move at that altitude. As I said before, it is similar to having a paper bag over your head and trying to grasp for air. There were times I took two or three steps and then had to pause for 15 or 20 seconds just to get my heart rate and breathing back down, repeating that again and again and again. Never looking ahead, only down, because sometimes ten feet took 45-60 seconds to cross. All this while enduring the sub-freezing temperature, the blowing snow, and the wind chill factors. Nothing but grit and determination to keep you going. But the views were spectacular and the feeling of being literally on top of the world made it all worth it.\r\n\r\nI\'ll continue to enjoy my Ironman triathlons and continue to do them as long as I can. But as far as hiking up a mountain to 19,341 feet, this will be my one and only time! It\'s a tremendous accomplishment, but something I would not want to repeat.\r\n\r\n[video poster=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Dancing.png\" width=\"352\" height=\"640\" mp4=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/DANCING-v3.mp4\"][/video]\r\n\r\n<img class=\"alignright\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/final-goodbyes-1.jpg\" />\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/Final-goodbyes-and-certificates\"><strong>See Photos</strong></a></p>\r\n\r\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\">Thank You to Everyone Who Made Kilimanjaro A Possibility!</h3>\r\nThank you to everyone that sent me well wishes before, during, and after my climb. It meant so much!\r\n\r\nI also thank my parents who gave me the will and determination to achieve all the goals in my life, no matter how hard they are.\r\nThey always ingrained this determination in me and encouraged me to just put my head down and keep going to achieve my goals.\r\nAs I said above, they were with me the whole way and always will be.\r\n\r\nThank you for taking the time to read this. I hope this will inspire you that if a goal is desired, to just put your head down and keep going no matter how difficult it may seem.\r\n\r\n<strong>Peter A. Fields, MD, DC </strong>\r\n<strong>The Athletic Doc<sup>®</sup></strong>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/about/the-athletic-doc/about-the-athletic-doc/\">Click here</a> to find out more about <strong>The Athletic Doc<sup>® </sup></strong>','Report of My Kilimanjaro Climb','','inherit','closed','closed','','2208-revision-v1','','','2021-08-30 19:37:49','2021-08-30 19:37:49','',2208,'https://www.drfields.com/?p=4871',0,'revision','',0),(4872,9,'2021-08-30 19:38:57','2021-08-30 19:38:57','<h1>Report of My Kilimanjaro Climb (late by two years!)</h1>\r\n<em>By Peter A. Fields, MD, DC</em>\r\n\r\nAfter waiting ten years with this on my bucket list, I finally was going to climb Kilimanjaro.\r\n<h3>Getting to Mount Kilimanjaro</h3>\r\n<img class=\"alignleft\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/klimanjaro-8.jpg\" alt=\"\" />\r\n\r\nThe trip to Kilimanjaro began with an 11-hour flight to London where I had a 36-hour layover. Saw \"Tina, The Musical\" (life and times of Tina Truner). Great show.  Then 9 ½ hour flight to Nairobi, where I spent 24 hours so I was able to see the city. Then a one-hour flight to Kilimanjaro, Tanzania. My arrival at Kilimanjaro airport was on Sunday night. This was followed by a two-and-a-half-hour ride, with half of it on a very bumpy dirt road, before reaching the destination at the base camp. Since it was almost midnight, I went straight to my tent, which was quite luxurious for camping, and included a sink, a bathroom, and even a shower. I took advantage of a quick shower and went straight to bed.\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/Day-1-Kiliminaro-and-base-camp-arrival\"><strong>See Photos</strong></a></p>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<h3>Pre-Climb Hike</h3>\r\n<img class=\"alignleft\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/klimanjaro-9.jpg\" alt=\"\" />\r\n\r\nAfter a nice breakfast, where I met the other climbers and our trek leaders, we went for a short two-hour hike just to see the local terrain. It was beautiful, with waterfalls and lots of lush plants and greenery. The guide leader went through our entire pack to make sure that we would be taking everything we needed and that everything was in good shape. The rest of the day was just spent relaxing, except for a short sunset hike of 10 minutes, where at the top of the small hill they had wine waiting for us. A pleasant surprise.\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/Finally-hiking\"><strong>See Photos</strong></a></p>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<h3>First Day Hike Towards Kilimanjaro</h3>\r\n<img class=\"alignleft\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/killi-trailhead-4.jpg\" /><img class=\"alignleft\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/killi-trailhead-3.jpg\" /><img class=\"alignleft\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/killi-trailhead-2.jpg\" />\r\n\r\nAfter a two-hour ride, we arrived at the check-in point. The weather was hot enough to wear shorts and t-shirts since we were only 3 degrees off the equator. There we saw the more than 45 plus Sherpa’s that would accompany us. There were six Sherpa’s( there were six hikers) to carry each person\'s clothing (colder weather gear, nighttime clothes, toiletries, etc.). Then six to carry our bedding, and tents ( double roofed for better rain protection), six would carry our food for 7 days ( three full meals a day), eight of them made up the kitchen team, another team of two would carry the oxygen and medicine, four to carry the toilets and tents over them, plus about 10 other Sherpa’s would carry all the tents, tables and chairs. There were also 10 more to carry all of the sherpa’s food and equipment.\r\n\r\nWe had to register and show our passports, and after that, we took a short 20-minute drive to the trailhead. Arriving at noon, a very nice, well-prepared lunch was ready for us. We started the hike at 7700 feet and climbed to 9300 feet. The area was mostly jungle-like, with a lot of fantastic plants, birds, and other exotic wildlife, including Colobus monkeys and other animals. When we arrived at the camp at 9300 feet, the tents were already set up, and we unpacked our gear in each individual tent, had dinner, and went to sleep.\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/Kili-Getting-to-the-trailhead\"><strong>See Photos</strong></a></p>\r\n\r\n<h3>Second Day Hike</h3>\r\nAt 6:30 AM we were woken up with a hot bowl of water to wash up and get ready for the day. A very full breakfast was prepared for us and then we started off to hike again. For hiking, it’s important to eat three square meals a day as well as drink a minimum of three liters of water a day. Without this exhaustion, dehydration, and more can happen. The guides made sure that we would eat a lot and consume lots of water.\r\n\r\nWe headed off on our hike up to 11,400 feet, crossing from the Montane Forest into the Hagenia Zone, where we saw many different plants and beautiful trees throughout the canyon.\r\n\r\nI felt pretty good, as I had taken Diamox, a medicine to help prevent altitude sickness. I had a Camelback-style drinking system so I was drinking copious amounts of water. At night it was cold but with the proper gear (well worth the expense!), I felt warm.\r\n<h3>Day Three Hike</h3>\r\nWe had another early wake-up call today and another substantial breakfast (scrambled eggs, toast, pancakes, fruit, toast, jelly, peanut butter, tea/coffee, and more. We hiked across a large plateau and gained about 2,100 feet in altitude. It was very interesting as we passed into the upper heath zone, where there were no more trees here, just a lot of different plants. And lots of volcanic rock (the last active volcano here took place over 10,000 years ago).\r\n\r\nThe hiking was very slow and consistent, as they say in Swahili, “Poli, Poli.” Again I felt very good when arriving at Moir camp at 13,500 feet. We had beautiful views of the mountain as the clouds moved away. It was really spectacular!\r\n<h3>Day Four Hike</h3>\r\n<img class=\"alignleft\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/klimanjaro-2.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"170\" height=\"226\" /><img class=\"alignleft\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Kilihiking15000-4.jpg\" width=\"423\" height=\"238\" />\r\n\r\nWe woke up again at 6:30 AM, had breakfast at 7, and were hiking by 7:30. Today was a shorter hike of only 3.1 miles, but we did climb 2000 feet. It was slow in some parts and the steep sections were even slower. Finally, we arrived at camp after hiking for only 2 hours and 20 minutes. We were now at 15,500 feet. The air is very thin, so with every step you take, you have to think about it. But when we arrived at camp, everything seemed to settle down. During the afternoon there was a hale storm that turned into snow, so everybody went into their tents. I probably took a 3-hour well-needed nap. After a good dinner, we all went to bed, but not until we viewed the beautiful skies at 15,500 feet in the southern hemisphere.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/Kili-Hiking-to-15000-feet\"><strong>See Photos</strong></a></p>\r\n\r\n<h3>Day Five Hike</h3>\r\n<img class=\"alignleft\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/klimanjaro-3.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"128\" height=\"170\" />\r\n\r\nWe had the usual wake-up call at 6:30 AM and were on the road by 7:30. It snowed during the night, but only half an inch or so, making everything white and beautiful. The good news is this meant it was right around 32 degrees. The sun came out, so it was warm when we hiked but a little bit cooler when clouds were overhead. Plus with the altitude (lots of breathing) and hiking effort, one was rarely cold. Today\'s hike was only one thousand feet of climbing and a short hike to the base camp. The big hike tomorrow will only be about an hour and 20 minutes, but it will be over a lot of rocks and boulders and will be steep in some places. We arrived at the base camp around\r\n10:30 - 11 in the morning. We were supposed to go for a short hike from there without our packs but it started snowing for over an hour, so that was canceled. Tomorrow morning, we will have a 4 AM wake-up call in anticipation of a 2,300-foot elevation climb up to18,650 feet.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<h3>Day Six Hike</h3>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<img class=\"size-full wp-image-4864 alignleft\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/16500-18400-13.jpg\" alt=\"16500 18400 13\" width=\"492\" height=\"277\" />\r\n\r\nWake-up call at 4 AM and breakfast at 4:30. The slow group left at 5. We (my hiking partner, myself, and our guide) left about 5:30. At this altitude of over 16,000 feet, everyone moves very slowly. The first little part was steep and slightly snow-covered, but then it got extremely steep and no longer covered in snow.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe climbed 2,400 feet over 2.6 miles. The first hour was in the dark, but we all had headlamps. It was very rocky and we had to use our hands sometimes to climb. We ran into a few other tours on the trail and all of us had to cut across a mountainside since the snow had obliterated the trail the night before.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[video width=\"640\" height=\"480\" mp4=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/camp-16000ft.mp4\" poster=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/camp.png\"][/video]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<img class=\"size-full wp-image-4865 alignleft\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/16500-18400-12.jpg\" alt=\"16500 18400 12\" width=\"156\" height=\"277\" />\r\n\r\nWe were now over 17, 000 feet. One of the guides from another tour (all the guides know each other) had a pickaxe and so he chopped thru the snow to make it easier on our footing. Even so, it was very slippery. There were times we had to use all four extremities to climb, even kneeling on the next step up because the step was too high to reach with our foot. Breathing was becoming more and more labored and it was difficult to catch our breath in the thinning air.\r\n\r\nWhen we stopped at 18,000 feet for a snack and water, we thought the worst was over, but that wasn’t the case. The next 500 feet were very rocky and slippery, and that along with the very thin air meant we had to take three or four steps before needing to stop for a break. Like having a bag over your head and pulling for each breath.\r\n\r\nFinally, we reached the craters ridge and were very happy. These are remnants of glaciers that once covered this entire valley. The whole valley was snow-covered and looked like we were walking in a desert. When we arrived, we were not allowed to lie down in our tents for about a good hour because we needed to let our bodies acclimate to the thin air at 18,600 feet. After that, we enjoyed a well-deserved nap before an early dinner because we would be getting up again at 4 AM to <em>climb to the top of Kilimanjaro!</em>\r\n\r\n[video width=\"640\" height=\"480\" mp4=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/16000ft.mp4\" poster=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/dance-18000.png\"][/video]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/16-500-feet-to-18-400\"><strong>See Photos</strong></a></p>\r\n\r\n<h2>Day Seven Hike</h2>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_2282\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"397\"]<img class=\"size-full wp-image-2282\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/summit-19341-7.jpg\" alt=\"Summit 19,341 (7)\" width=\"397\" height=\"310\" /> Summit 19,341[/caption]\r\n\r\nThe night was extremely cold, with ground temperatures probably down to zero degrees Fahrenheit. We did everything to keep ourselves warm! I laid my down jacket on top of my sleeping bag (which was rated to zero degrees), plus I had a liner inside the sleeping bag which gave me an additional 25 degrees of warmth. I am definitely not a cold weather person but with the right gear, it was not too bad.\r\nWe were woken up at 4 AM. After eating and packing our stuff ( only our personal things; the Sherpa took care of the sleeping bag and tent each morning and night, we were off for a 75-minute climb, basically straight up and extremely cold. Fortunately, I had bought the best mittens ever and my hands were not cold. Nonetheless, my legs and face took the brunt of it, and we moved very, very slowly. 10 feet could take several minutes. After a very hard, straight-up climbing, we had to cross a flat plane to the actual top of the mountain. The wind was blowing like crazy. The air temp was around minus 10 Fahrenheit with the wind chill probably down to negative 45 or 50 Fahrenheit. But all 6 of us had made it. It was a special feeling…an unbelievable feeling!\r\n\r\nI always carry some ashes of my parents no matter where I travel in this world. And since this was a very special place, I quietly said a prayer, took off my mittens (brrr), and sprinkled some of their ashes at the top. They had made it the whole way with me!\r\n\r\nWe took our pictures and then had to get going due to the intense winds and brutal cold. Fortunately, we summited very early and there were only one or two other groups at the top. Later on, there would be at least 50-100 people. We saw a gorgeous sunrise since it was only about 7 in the morning. We were almost on the equator, and sunrise and sunsets are always at around 6:30 without much variation from season to season.\r\nImmediately, once we started to go down, we could feel the release of pressure in our lungs and chest. The descent and decreasing pressure made it a lot easier on our lungs, plus it was now all downhill. After an hour or two, our quads really felt it, and we would be walking downhill for the next 5 to 6 hours!\r\nWe did stop for a small break for some lunch, but our appetite was low due to altitude. Several of the hikers experienced altitude sickness on the way up, with nausea, diarrhea, headaches loss of appetite, and weakness. But it was worse for me while descending, but fortunately, I had only lost my appetite with slight nausea and it lasted only for a short period of time. Anyway, we finally made it to camp at 10,500 feet. The weather was really nice and a bit warmer, between about 45 to 50 degrees or more. What a difference from the night before! We all had a good meal and rested, as we had been hiking downhill for over 8 hours, and all of our legs were extremely tired.\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/Hiking-to-the-summit-19-341-feet\"><strong>See Photos</strong></a></p>\r\n\r\n<h3>Day Eight Hike</h3>\r\n<img class=\"alignright\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Sunriseuptop-3.jpg\" />\r\n\r\nWe woke up at 6:30 AM, which was a big difference from 4 AM. Today would be our last night, and we would be saying goodbye to all the Sherpas and guides. Only the guides would continue with us. I volunteered to be the spokesperson of the group, which meant I would be collecting the tip money and giving a short speech.\r\n\r\nAfter breakfast, the 40 or so sherpas gathered around singing and dancing. I actually joined them in the dancing, which I have a video of. I was very tired, but it was still worth it. I gave a 3-minute speech thanking every one of them for all of their hard work and dedication, and telling them that their help, whether by carrying a table, carrying sleeping bags, setting up tents, preparing food and everything else they did for us, was all very special and helped us so much.\r\n\r\nWe then set off for our last 6 to 7-hour hike downhill. Although it was not very steep, it was a dried-up river bed that was full of rocks and stones, making footing uneasy, and causing our quads to be even more on fire. But we knew the end was coming, so we just kept going. We stopped for lunch and continued on. After about 7 hours, we saw the base camp. Nothing could be sweeter! I signed out at the Ranger station and basically collapsed into the waiting truck. There were a lot of campers and hikers ending in this same area, so they drove us about 20 minutes away.\r\n\r\nWe had some lunch and then drove the rest of the way back to the lodge, which was a beautiful hotel about half an hour outside of Arusha on an old coffee plantation. Everybody had their own cabin. For the first time in 9 days, I took a shower. It was wonderful! Then we all gathered with the two guides and I said a few more words to represent the group. We had a nice dinner, and then two people left for the airport by 7 PM. That night, was my first night of sleep in a bed, after 9 days. It was fantastic! The mission was accomplished!\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/Sunrise-up-top-and-heading-down\"><strong>See Photos</strong></a>\r\n<h2>Kilimanjaro Was Amazing!</h2>\r\n<img class=\"size-full wp-image-2213 alignleft\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/klimanjaro-5.jpg\" alt=\"Klimanjaro (5)\" width=\"128\" height=\"128\" />\r\n\r\nEven though the trip was not exactly as described in the pamphlet, it was something I had had on my bucket list for over 10 years. It was extremely difficult at times. Some of our hikers had difficulty even moving and needed assistance. But we all persevered. I\'ve done 10 Ironman races so far (now 11!), which require monumental training. But the long hike up to the crater from 16,800 feet to 18,400, with the subsequent day of summiting, followed by the 9,000-foot descent, were some of the hardest things that I\'ve ever done. And that includes all my Ironman competitions.\r\n\r\nYou just can\'t imagine what it\'s like trying to move at that altitude. As I said before, it is similar to having a paper bag over your head and trying to grasp for air. There were times I took two or three steps and then had to pause for 15 or 20 seconds just to get my heart rate and breathing back down, repeating that again and again and again. Never looking ahead, only down, because sometimes ten feet took 45-60 seconds to cross. All this while enduring the sub-freezing temperature, the blowing snow, and the wind chill factors. Nothing but grit and determination to keep you going. But the views were spectacular and the feeling of being literally on top of the world made it all worth it.\r\n\r\nI\'ll continue to enjoy my Ironman triathlons and continue to do them as long as I can. But as far as hiking up a mountain to 19,341 feet, this will be my one and only time! It\'s a tremendous accomplishment, but something I would not want to repeat.\r\n\r\n[video poster=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Dancing.png\" width=\"352\" height=\"640\" mp4=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/DANCING-v3.mp4\"][/video]\r\n\r\n<img class=\"alignright\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/final-goodbyes-1.jpg\" />\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/Final-goodbyes-and-certificates\"><strong>See Photos</strong></a></p>\r\n\r\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\">Thank You to Everyone Who Made Kilimanjaro A Possibility!</h3>\r\nThank you to everyone that sent me well wishes before, during, and after my climb. It meant so much!\r\n\r\nI also thank my parents who gave me the will and determination to achieve all the goals in my life, no matter how hard they are.\r\nThey always ingrained this determination in me and encouraged me to just put my head down and keep going to achieve my goals.\r\nAs I said above, they were with me the whole way and always will be.\r\n\r\nThank you for taking the time to read this. I hope this will inspire you that if a goal is desired, to just put your head down and keep going no matter how difficult it may seem.\r\n\r\n<strong>Peter A. Fields, MD, DC </strong>\r\n<strong>The Athletic Doc<sup>®</sup></strong>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/about/the-athletic-doc/about-the-athletic-doc/\">Click here</a> to find out more about <strong>The Athletic Doc<sup>® </sup></strong>','Report of My Kilimanjaro Climb','','inherit','closed','closed','','2208-revision-v1','','','2021-08-30 19:38:57','2021-08-30 19:38:57','',2208,'https://www.drfields.com/?p=4872',0,'revision','',0),(4873,9,'2021-08-30 19:42:09','2021-08-30 19:42:09','<h1>Report of My Kilimanjaro Climb (late by two years!)</h1>\r\n<em>By Peter A. Fields, MD, DC</em>\r\n\r\nAfter waiting ten years with this on my bucket list, I finally was going to climb Kilimanjaro.\r\n<h3>Getting to Mount Kilimanjaro</h3>\r\n<img class=\"alignleft\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/klimanjaro-8.jpg\" alt=\"\" />\r\n\r\nThe trip to Kilimanjaro began with an 11-hour flight to London where I had a 36-hour layover. Saw \"Tina, The Musical\" (life and times of Tina Truner). Great show.  Then 9 ½ hour flight to Nairobi, where I spent 24 hours so I was able to see the city. Then a one-hour flight to Kilimanjaro, Tanzania. My arrival at Kilimanjaro airport was on Sunday night. This was followed by a two-and-a-half-hour ride, with half of it on a very bumpy dirt road, before reaching the destination at the base camp. Since it was almost midnight, I went straight to my tent, which was quite luxurious for camping, and included a sink, a bathroom, and even a shower. I took advantage of a quick shower and went straight to bed.\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/Day-1-Kiliminaro-and-base-camp-arrival\"><strong>See Photos</strong></a></p>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<h3>Pre-Climb Hike</h3>\r\n<img class=\"alignleft\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/klimanjaro-9.jpg\" alt=\"\" />\r\n\r\nAfter a nice breakfast, where I met the other climbers and our trek leaders, we went for a short two-hour hike just to see the local terrain. It was beautiful, with waterfalls and lots of lush plants and greenery. The guide leader went through our entire pack to make sure that we would be taking everything we needed and that everything was in good shape. The rest of the day was just spent relaxing, except for a short sunset hike of 10 minutes, where at the top of the small hill they had wine waiting for us. A pleasant surprise.\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/Finally-hiking\"><strong>See Photos</strong></a></p>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<h3>First Day Hike Towards Kilimanjaro</h3>\r\n<img class=\"alignleft\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/killi-trailhead-4.jpg\" /><img class=\"alignleft\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/killi-trailhead-3.jpg\" /><img class=\"alignleft\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/killi-trailhead-2.jpg\" />\r\n\r\nAfter a two-hour ride, we arrived at the check-in point. The weather was hot enough to wear shorts and t-shirts since we were only 3 degrees off the equator. There we saw the more than 45 plus Sherpa’s that would accompany us. There were six Sherpa’s( there were six hikers) to carry each person\'s clothing (colder weather gear, nighttime clothes, toiletries, etc.). Then six to carry our bedding, and tents ( double roofed for better rain protection), six would carry our food for 7 days ( three full meals a day), eight of them made up the kitchen team, another team of two would carry the oxygen and medicine, four to carry the toilets and tents over them, plus about 10 other Sherpa’s would carry all the tents, tables and chairs. There were also 10 more to carry all of the sherpa’s food and equipment.\r\n\r\nWe had to register and show our passports, and after that, we took a short 20-minute drive to the trailhead. Arriving at noon, a very nice, well-prepared lunch was ready for us. We started the hike at 7700 feet and climbed to 9300 feet. The area was mostly jungle-like, with a lot of fantastic plants, birds, and other exotic wildlife, including Colobus monkeys and other animals. When we arrived at the camp at 9300 feet, the tents were already set up, and we unpacked our gear in each individual tent, had dinner, and went to sleep.\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/Kili-Getting-to-the-trailhead\"><strong>See Photos</strong></a></p>\r\n\r\n<h3>Second Day Hike</h3>\r\nAt 6:30 AM we were woken up with a hot bowl of water to wash up and get ready for the day. A very full breakfast was prepared for us and then we started off to hike again. For hiking, it’s important to eat three square meals a day as well as drink a minimum of three liters of water a day. Without this exhaustion, dehydration, and more can happen. The guides made sure that we would eat a lot and consume lots of water.\r\n\r\nWe headed off on our hike up to 11,400 feet, crossing from the Montane Forest into the Hagenia Zone, where we saw many different plants and beautiful trees throughout the canyon.\r\n\r\nI felt pretty good, as I had taken Diamox, a medicine to help prevent altitude sickness. I had a Camelback-style drinking system so I was drinking copious amounts of water. At night it was cold but with the proper gear (well worth the expense!), I felt warm.\r\n<h3>Day Three Hike</h3>\r\nWe had another early wake-up call today and another substantial breakfast (scrambled eggs, toast, pancakes, fruit, toast, jelly, peanut butter, tea/coffee, and more. We hiked across a large plateau and gained about 2,100 feet in altitude. It was very interesting as we passed into the upper heath zone, where there were no more trees here, just a lot of different plants. And lots of volcanic rock (the last active volcano here took place over 10,000 years ago).\r\n\r\nThe hiking was very slow and consistent, as they say in Swahili, “Poli, Poli.” Again I felt very good when arriving at Moir camp at 13,500 feet. We had beautiful views of the mountain as the clouds moved away. It was really spectacular!\r\n<h3>Day Four Hike</h3>\r\n<img class=\"alignleft\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/klimanjaro-2.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"170\" height=\"226\" /><img class=\"alignleft\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Kilihiking15000-4.jpg\" width=\"423\" height=\"238\" />\r\n\r\nWe woke up again at 6:30 AM, had breakfast at 7, and were hiking by 7:30. Today was a shorter hike of only 3.1 miles, but we did climb 2000 feet. It was slow in some parts and the steep sections were even slower. Finally, we arrived at camp after hiking for only 2 hours and 20 minutes. We were now at 15,500 feet. The air is very thin, so with every step you take, you have to think about it. But when we arrived at camp, everything seemed to settle down. During the afternoon there was a hale storm that turned into snow, so everybody went into their tents. I probably took a 3-hour well-needed nap. After a good dinner, we all went to bed, but not until we viewed the beautiful skies at 15,500 feet in the southern hemisphere.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/Kili-Hiking-to-15000-feet\"><strong>See Photos</strong></a></p>\r\n\r\n<h3>Day Five Hike</h3>\r\n<img class=\"alignleft\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/klimanjaro-3.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"128\" height=\"170\" />\r\n\r\nWe had the usual wake-up call at 6:30 AM and were on the road by 7:30. It snowed during the night, but only half an inch or so, making everything white and beautiful. The good news is this meant it was right around 32 degrees. The sun came out, so it was warm when we hiked but a little bit cooler when clouds were overhead. Plus with the altitude (lots of breathing) and hiking effort, one was rarely cold. Today\'s hike was only one thousand feet of climbing and a short hike to the base camp. The big hike tomorrow will only be about an hour and 20 minutes, but it will be over a lot of rocks and boulders and will be steep in some places. We arrived at the base camp around\r\n10:30 - 11 in the morning. We were supposed to go for a short hike from there without our packs but it started snowing for over an hour, so that was canceled. Tomorrow morning, we will have a 4 AM wake-up call in anticipation of a 2,300-foot elevation climb up to18,650 feet.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<h3>Day Six Hike</h3>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<img class=\"size-full wp-image-4864 alignleft\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/16500-18400-13.jpg\" alt=\"16500 18400 13\" width=\"492\" height=\"277\" />\r\n\r\nWake-up call at 4 AM and breakfast at 4:30. The slow group left at 5. We (my hiking partner, myself, and our guide) left about 5:30. At this altitude of over 16,000 feet, everyone moves very slowly. The first little part was steep and slightly snow-covered, but then it got extremely steep and no longer covered in snow.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe climbed 2,400 feet over 2.6 miles. The first hour was in the dark, but we all had headlamps. It was very rocky and we had to use our hands sometimes to climb. We ran into a few other tours on the trail and all of us had to cut across a mountainside since the snow had obliterated the trail the night before.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[video width=\"640\" height=\"480\" mp4=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/camp-16000ft.mp4\" poster=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/camp.png\"][/video]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<img class=\"size-full wp-image-4865 alignright\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/16500-18400-12.jpg\" alt=\"16500 18400 12\" width=\"156\" height=\"277\" />\r\n\r\nWe were now over 17, 000 feet. One of the guides from another tour (all the guides know each other) had a pickaxe and so he chopped thru the snow to make it easier on our footing. Even so, it was very slippery. There were times we had to use all four extremities to climb, even kneeling on the next step up because the step was too high to reach with our foot. Breathing was becoming more and more labored and it was difficult to catch our breath in the thinning air.\r\n\r\nWhen we stopped at 18,000 feet for a snack and water, we thought the worst was over, but that wasn’t the case. The next 500 feet were very rocky and slippery, and that along with the very thin air meant we had to take three or four steps before needing to stop for a break. Like having a bag over your head and pulling for each breath.\r\n\r\nFinally, we reached the craters ridge and were very happy. These are remnants of glaciers that once covered this entire valley. The whole valley was snow-covered and looked like we were walking in a desert. When we arrived, we were not allowed to lie down in our tents for about a good hour because we needed to let our bodies acclimate to the thin air at 18,600 feet. After that, we enjoyed a well-deserved nap before an early dinner because we would be getting up again at 4 AM to <em>climb to the top of Kilimanjaro!</em>\r\n\r\n[video width=\"640\" height=\"480\" mp4=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/16000ft.mp4\" poster=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/dance-18000.png\"][/video]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/16-500-feet-to-18-400\"><strong>See Photos</strong></a></p>\r\n\r\n<h2>Day Seven Hike</h2>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_2282\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"397\"]<img class=\"size-full wp-image-2282\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/summit-19341-7.jpg\" alt=\"Summit 19,341 (7)\" width=\"397\" height=\"310\" /> Summit 19,341[/caption]\r\n\r\nThe night was extremely cold, with ground temperatures probably down to zero degrees Fahrenheit. We did everything to keep ourselves warm! I laid my down jacket on top of my sleeping bag (which was rated to zero degrees), plus I had a liner inside the sleeping bag which gave me an additional 25 degrees of warmth. I am definitely not a cold weather person but with the right gear, it was not too bad.\r\nWe were woken up at 4 AM. After eating and packing our stuff ( only our personal things; the Sherpa took care of the sleeping bag and tent each morning and night, we were off for a 75-minute climb, basically straight up and extremely cold. Fortunately, I had bought the best mittens ever and my hands were not cold. Nonetheless, my legs and face took the brunt of it, and we moved very, very slowly. 10 feet could take several minutes. After a very hard, straight-up climbing, we had to cross a flat plane to the actual top of the mountain. The wind was blowing like crazy. The air temp was around minus 10 Fahrenheit with the wind chill probably down to negative 45 or 50 Fahrenheit. But all 6 of us had made it. It was a special feeling…an unbelievable feeling!\r\n\r\nI always carry some ashes of my parents no matter where I travel in this world. And since this was a very special place, I quietly said a prayer, took off my mittens (brrr), and sprinkled some of their ashes at the top. They had made it the whole way with me!\r\n\r\nWe took our pictures and then had to get going due to the intense winds and brutal cold. Fortunately, we summited very early and there were only one or two other groups at the top. Later on, there would be at least 50-100 people. We saw a gorgeous sunrise since it was only about 7 in the morning. We were almost on the equator, and sunrise and sunsets are always at around 6:30 without much variation from season to season.\r\nImmediately, once we started to go down, we could feel the release of pressure in our lungs and chest. The descent and decreasing pressure made it a lot easier on our lungs, plus it was now all downhill. After an hour or two, our quads really felt it, and we would be walking downhill for the next 5 to 6 hours!\r\nWe did stop for a small break for some lunch, but our appetite was low due to altitude. Several of the hikers experienced altitude sickness on the way up, with nausea, diarrhea, headaches loss of appetite, and weakness. But it was worse for me while descending, but fortunately, I had only lost my appetite with slight nausea and it lasted only for a short period of time. Anyway, we finally made it to camp at 10,500 feet. The weather was really nice and a bit warmer, between about 45 to 50 degrees or more. What a difference from the night before! We all had a good meal and rested, as we had been hiking downhill for over 8 hours, and all of our legs were extremely tired.\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/Hiking-to-the-summit-19-341-feet\"><strong>See Photos</strong></a></p>\r\n\r\n<h3>Day Eight Hike</h3>\r\n<img class=\"alignright\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Sunriseuptop-3.jpg\" />\r\n\r\nWe woke up at 6:30 AM, which was a big difference from 4 AM. Today would be our last night, and we would be saying goodbye to all the Sherpas and guides. Only the guides would continue with us. I volunteered to be the spokesperson of the group, which meant I would be collecting the tip money and giving a short speech.\r\n\r\nAfter breakfast, the 40 or so sherpas gathered around singing and dancing. I actually joined them in the dancing, which I have a video of. I was very tired, but it was still worth it. I gave a 3-minute speech thanking every one of them for all of their hard work and dedication, and telling them that their help, whether by carrying a table, carrying sleeping bags, setting up tents, preparing food and everything else they did for us, was all very special and helped us so much.\r\n\r\nWe then set off for our last 6 to 7-hour hike downhill. Although it was not very steep, it was a dried-up river bed that was full of rocks and stones, making footing uneasy, and causing our quads to be even more on fire. But we knew the end was coming, so we just kept going. We stopped for lunch and continued on. After about 7 hours, we saw the base camp. Nothing could be sweeter! I signed out at the Ranger station and basically collapsed into the waiting truck. There were a lot of campers and hikers ending in this same area, so they drove us about 20 minutes away.\r\n\r\nWe had some lunch and then drove the rest of the way back to the lodge, which was a beautiful hotel about half an hour outside of Arusha on an old coffee plantation. Everybody had their own cabin. For the first time in 9 days, I took a shower. It was wonderful! Then we all gathered with the two guides and I said a few more words to represent the group. We had a nice dinner, and then two people left for the airport by 7 PM. That night, was my first night of sleep in a bed, after 9 days. It was fantastic! The mission was accomplished!\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/Sunrise-up-top-and-heading-down\"><strong>See Photos</strong></a>\r\n<h2>Kilimanjaro Was Amazing!</h2>\r\n<img class=\"size-full wp-image-2213 alignleft\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/klimanjaro-5.jpg\" alt=\"Klimanjaro (5)\" width=\"128\" height=\"128\" />\r\n\r\nEven though the trip was not exactly as described in the pamphlet, it was something I had had on my bucket list for over 10 years. It was extremely difficult at times. Some of our hikers had difficulty even moving and needed assistance. But we all persevered. I\'ve done 10 Ironman races so far (now 11!), which require monumental training. But the long hike up to the crater from 16,800 feet to 18,400, with the subsequent day of summiting, followed by the 9,000-foot descent, were some of the hardest things that I\'ve ever done. And that includes all my Ironman competitions.\r\n\r\nYou just can\'t imagine what it\'s like trying to move at that altitude. As I said before, it is similar to having a paper bag over your head and trying to grasp for air. There were times I took two or three steps and then had to pause for 15 or 20 seconds just to get my heart rate and breathing back down, repeating that again and again and again. Never looking ahead, only down, because sometimes ten feet took 45-60 seconds to cross. All this while enduring the sub-freezing temperature, the blowing snow, and the wind chill factors. Nothing but grit and determination to keep you going. But the views were spectacular and the feeling of being literally on top of the world made it all worth it.\r\n\r\nI\'ll continue to enjoy my Ironman triathlons and continue to do them as long as I can. But as far as hiking up a mountain to 19,341 feet, this will be my one and only time! It\'s a tremendous accomplishment, but something I would not want to repeat.\r\n\r\n[video poster=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Dancing.png\" width=\"352\" height=\"640\" mp4=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/DANCING-v3.mp4\"][/video]\r\n\r\n<img class=\"alignright\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/final-goodbyes-1.jpg\" />\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/Final-goodbyes-and-certificates\"><strong>See Photos</strong></a></p>\r\n\r\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\">Thank You to Everyone Who Made Kilimanjaro A Possibility!</h3>\r\nThank you to everyone that sent me well wishes before, during, and after my climb. It meant so much!\r\n\r\nI also thank my parents who gave me the will and determination to achieve all the goals in my life, no matter how hard they are.\r\nThey always ingrained this determination in me and encouraged me to just put my head down and keep going to achieve my goals.\r\nAs I said above, they were with me the whole way and always will be.\r\n\r\nThank you for taking the time to read this. I hope this will inspire you that if a goal is desired, to just put your head down and keep going no matter how difficult it may seem.\r\n\r\n<strong>Peter A. Fields, MD, DC </strong>\r\n<strong>The Athletic Doc<sup>®</sup></strong>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/about/the-athletic-doc/about-the-athletic-doc/\">Click here</a> to find out more about <strong>The Athletic Doc<sup>® </sup></strong>','Report of My Kilimanjaro Climb','','inherit','closed','closed','','2208-revision-v1','','','2021-08-30 19:42:09','2021-08-30 19:42:09','',2208,'https://www.drfields.com/?p=4873',0,'revision','',0),(4874,9,'2021-08-30 19:43:16','2021-08-30 19:43:16','<h1>Report of My Kilimanjaro Climb (late by two years!)</h1>\r\n<em>By Peter A. Fields, MD, DC</em>\r\n\r\nAfter waiting ten years with this on my bucket list, I finally was going to climb Kilimanjaro.\r\n<h3>Getting to Mount Kilimanjaro</h3>\r\n<img class=\"alignleft\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/klimanjaro-8.jpg\" alt=\"\" />\r\n\r\nThe trip to Kilimanjaro began with an 11-hour flight to London where I had a 36-hour layover. Saw \"Tina, The Musical\" (life and times of Tina Truner). Great show.  Then 9 ½ hour flight to Nairobi, where I spent 24 hours so I was able to see the city. Then a one-hour flight to Kilimanjaro, Tanzania. My arrival at Kilimanjaro airport was on Sunday night. This was followed by a two-and-a-half-hour ride, with half of it on a very bumpy dirt road, before reaching the destination at the base camp. Since it was almost midnight, I went straight to my tent, which was quite luxurious for camping, and included a sink, a bathroom, and even a shower. I took advantage of a quick shower and went straight to bed.\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/Day-1-Kiliminaro-and-base-camp-arrival\"><strong>See Photos</strong></a></p>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<h3>Pre-Climb Hike</h3>\r\n<img class=\"alignleft\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/klimanjaro-9.jpg\" alt=\"\" />\r\n\r\nAfter a nice breakfast, where I met the other climbers and our trek leaders, we went for a short two-hour hike just to see the local terrain. It was beautiful, with waterfalls and lots of lush plants and greenery. The guide leader went through our entire pack to make sure that we would be taking everything we needed and that everything was in good shape. The rest of the day was just spent relaxing, except for a short sunset hike of 10 minutes, where at the top of the small hill they had wine waiting for us. A pleasant surprise.\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/Finally-hiking\"><strong>See Photos</strong></a></p>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<h3>First Day Hike Towards Kilimanjaro</h3>\r\n<img class=\"alignleft\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/killi-trailhead-4.jpg\" /><img class=\"alignleft\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/killi-trailhead-3.jpg\" /><img class=\"alignleft\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/killi-trailhead-2.jpg\" />\r\n\r\nAfter a two-hour ride, we arrived at the check-in point. The weather was hot enough to wear shorts and t-shirts since we were only 3 degrees off the equator. There we saw the more than 45 plus Sherpa’s that would accompany us. There were six Sherpa’s( there were six hikers) to carry each person\'s clothing (colder weather gear, nighttime clothes, toiletries, etc.). Then six to carry our bedding, and tents ( double roofed for better rain protection), six would carry our food for 7 days ( three full meals a day), eight of them made up the kitchen team, another team of two would carry the oxygen and medicine, four to carry the toilets and tents over them, plus about 10 other Sherpa’s would carry all the tents, tables and chairs. There were also 10 more to carry all of the sherpa’s food and equipment.\r\n\r\nWe had to register and show our passports, and after that, we took a short 20-minute drive to the trailhead. Arriving at noon, a very nice, well-prepared lunch was ready for us. We started the hike at 7700 feet and climbed to 9300 feet. The area was mostly jungle-like, with a lot of fantastic plants, birds, and other exotic wildlife, including Colobus monkeys and other animals. When we arrived at the camp at 9300 feet, the tents were already set up, and we unpacked our gear in each individual tent, had dinner, and went to sleep.\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/Kili-Getting-to-the-trailhead\"><strong>See Photos</strong></a></p>\r\n\r\n<h3>Second Day Hike</h3>\r\nAt 6:30 AM we were woken up with a hot bowl of water to wash up and get ready for the day. A very full breakfast was prepared for us and then we started off to hike again. For hiking, it’s important to eat three square meals a day as well as drink a minimum of three liters of water a day. Without this exhaustion, dehydration, and more can happen. The guides made sure that we would eat a lot and consume lots of water.\r\n\r\nWe headed off on our hike up to 11,400 feet, crossing from the Montane Forest into the Hagenia Zone, where we saw many different plants and beautiful trees throughout the canyon.\r\n\r\nI felt pretty good, as I had taken Diamox, a medicine to help prevent altitude sickness. I had a Camelback-style drinking system so I was drinking copious amounts of water. At night it was cold but with the proper gear (well worth the expense!), I felt warm.\r\n<h3>Day Three Hike</h3>\r\nWe had another early wake-up call today and another substantial breakfast (scrambled eggs, toast, pancakes, fruit, toast, jelly, peanut butter, tea/coffee, and more. We hiked across a large plateau and gained about 2,100 feet in altitude. It was very interesting as we passed into the upper heath zone, where there were no more trees here, just a lot of different plants. And lots of volcanic rock (the last active volcano here took place over 10,000 years ago).\r\n\r\nThe hiking was very slow and consistent, as they say in Swahili, “Poli, Poli.” Again I felt very good when arriving at Moir camp at 13,500 feet. We had beautiful views of the mountain as the clouds moved away. It was really spectacular!\r\n<h3>Day Four Hike</h3>\r\n<img class=\"alignleft\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/klimanjaro-2.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"170\" height=\"226\" /><img class=\"alignleft\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Kilihiking15000-4.jpg\" width=\"423\" height=\"238\" />\r\n\r\nWe woke up again at 6:30 AM, had breakfast at 7, and were hiking by 7:30. Today was a shorter hike of only 3.1 miles, but we did climb 2000 feet. It was slow in some parts and the steep sections were even slower. Finally, we arrived at camp after hiking for only 2 hours and 20 minutes. We were now at 15,500 feet. The air is very thin, so with every step you take, you have to think about it. But when we arrived at camp, everything seemed to settle down. During the afternoon there was a hale storm that turned into snow, so everybody went into their tents. I probably took a 3-hour well-needed nap. After a good dinner, we all went to bed, but not until we viewed the beautiful skies at 15,500 feet in the southern hemisphere.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/Kili-Hiking-to-15000-feet\"><strong>See Photos</strong></a></p>\r\n\r\n<h3>Day Five Hike</h3>\r\n<img class=\"alignleft\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/klimanjaro-3.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"128\" height=\"170\" />\r\n\r\nWe had the usual wake-up call at 6:30 AM and were on the road by 7:30. It snowed during the night, but only half an inch or so, making everything white and beautiful. The good news is this meant it was right around 32 degrees. The sun came out, so it was warm when we hiked but a little bit cooler when clouds were overhead. Plus with the altitude (lots of breathing) and hiking effort, one was rarely cold. Today\'s hike was only one thousand feet of climbing and a short hike to the base camp. The big hike tomorrow will only be about an hour and 20 minutes, but it will be over a lot of rocks and boulders and will be steep in some places. We arrived at the base camp around\r\n10:30 - 11 in the morning. We were supposed to go for a short hike from there without our packs but it started snowing for over an hour, so that was canceled. Tomorrow morning, we will have a 4 AM wake-up call in anticipation of a 2,300-foot elevation climb up to18,650 feet.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<h3>Day Six Hike</h3>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<img class=\"size-full wp-image-4864 alignleft\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/16500-18400-13.jpg\" alt=\"16500 18400 13\" width=\"492\" height=\"277\" />\r\n\r\nWake-up call at 4 AM and breakfast at 4:30. The slow group left at 5. We (my hiking partner, myself, and our guide) left about 5:30. At this altitude of over 16,000 feet, everyone moves very slowly. The first little part was steep and slightly snow-covered, but then it got extremely steep and no longer covered in snow.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe climbed 2,400 feet over 2.6 miles. The first hour was in the dark, but we all had headlamps. It was very rocky and we had to use our hands sometimes to climb. We ran into a few other tours on the trail and all of us had to cut across a mountainside since the snow had obliterated the trail the night before.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[video width=\"640\" height=\"480\" mp4=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/camp-16000ft.mp4\" poster=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/camp.png\"][/video]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<img class=\" wp-image-4865 alignright\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/16500-18400-12.jpg\" alt=\"16500 18400 12\" width=\"240\" height=\"425\" />\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe were now over 17, 000 feet. One of the guides from another tour (all the guides know each other) had a pickaxe and so he chopped thru the snow to make it easier on our footing. Even so, it was very slippery. There were times we had to use all four extremities to climb, even kneeling on the next step up because the step was too high to reach with our foot. Breathing was becoming more and more labored and it was difficult to catch our breath in the thinning air.\r\n\r\nWhen we stopped at 18,000 feet for a snack and water, we thought the worst was over, but that wasn’t the case. The next 500 feet were very rocky and slippery, and that along with the very thin air meant we had to take three or four steps before needing to stop for a break. Like having a bag over your head and pulling for each breath.\r\n\r\nFinally, we reached the craters ridge and were very happy. These are remnants of glaciers that once covered this entire valley. The whole valley was snow-covered and looked like we were walking in a desert. When we arrived, we were not allowed to lie down in our tents for about a good hour because we needed to let our bodies acclimate to the thin air at 18,600 feet.\r\n\r\nAfter that, we enjoyed a well-deserved nap before an early dinner because we would be getting up again at 4 AM to <em>climb to the top of Kilimanjaro!</em>\r\n\r\n[video width=\"640\" height=\"480\" mp4=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/16000ft.mp4\" poster=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/dance-18000.png\"][/video]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/16-500-feet-to-18-400\"><strong>See Photos</strong></a></p>\r\n\r\n<h2>Day Seven Hike</h2>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_2282\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"397\"]<img class=\"size-full wp-image-2282\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/summit-19341-7.jpg\" alt=\"Summit 19,341 (7)\" width=\"397\" height=\"310\" /> Summit 19,341[/caption]\r\n\r\nThe night was extremely cold, with ground temperatures probably down to zero degrees Fahrenheit. We did everything to keep ourselves warm! I laid my down jacket on top of my sleeping bag (which was rated to zero degrees), plus I had a liner inside the sleeping bag which gave me an additional 25 degrees of warmth. I am definitely not a cold weather person but with the right gear, it was not too bad.\r\nWe were woken up at 4 AM. After eating and packing our stuff ( only our personal things; the Sherpa took care of the sleeping bag and tent each morning and night, we were off for a 75-minute climb, basically straight up and extremely cold. Fortunately, I had bought the best mittens ever and my hands were not cold. Nonetheless, my legs and face took the brunt of it, and we moved very, very slowly. 10 feet could take several minutes. After a very hard, straight-up climbing, we had to cross a flat plane to the actual top of the mountain. The wind was blowing like crazy. The air temp was around minus 10 Fahrenheit with the wind chill probably down to negative 45 or 50 Fahrenheit. But all 6 of us had made it. It was a special feeling…an unbelievable feeling!\r\n\r\nI always carry some ashes of my parents no matter where I travel in this world. And since this was a very special place, I quietly said a prayer, took off my mittens (brrr), and sprinkled some of their ashes at the top. They had made it the whole way with me!\r\n\r\nWe took our pictures and then had to get going due to the intense winds and brutal cold. Fortunately, we summited very early and there were only one or two other groups at the top. Later on, there would be at least 50-100 people. We saw a gorgeous sunrise since it was only about 7 in the morning. We were almost on the equator, and sunrise and sunsets are always at around 6:30 without much variation from season to season.\r\nImmediately, once we started to go down, we could feel the release of pressure in our lungs and chest. The descent and decreasing pressure made it a lot easier on our lungs, plus it was now all downhill. After an hour or two, our quads really felt it, and we would be walking downhill for the next 5 to 6 hours!\r\nWe did stop for a small break for some lunch, but our appetite was low due to altitude. Several of the hikers experienced altitude sickness on the way up, with nausea, diarrhea, headaches loss of appetite, and weakness. But it was worse for me while descending, but fortunately, I had only lost my appetite with slight nausea and it lasted only for a short period of time. Anyway, we finally made it to camp at 10,500 feet. The weather was really nice and a bit warmer, between about 45 to 50 degrees or more. What a difference from the night before! We all had a good meal and rested, as we had been hiking downhill for over 8 hours, and all of our legs were extremely tired.\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/Hiking-to-the-summit-19-341-feet\"><strong>See Photos</strong></a></p>\r\n\r\n<h3>Day Eight Hike</h3>\r\n<img class=\"alignright\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Sunriseuptop-3.jpg\" />\r\n\r\nWe woke up at 6:30 AM, which was a big difference from 4 AM. Today would be our last night, and we would be saying goodbye to all the Sherpas and guides. Only the guides would continue with us. I volunteered to be the spokesperson of the group, which meant I would be collecting the tip money and giving a short speech.\r\n\r\nAfter breakfast, the 40 or so sherpas gathered around singing and dancing. I actually joined them in the dancing, which I have a video of. I was very tired, but it was still worth it. I gave a 3-minute speech thanking every one of them for all of their hard work and dedication, and telling them that their help, whether by carrying a table, carrying sleeping bags, setting up tents, preparing food and everything else they did for us, was all very special and helped us so much.\r\n\r\nWe then set off for our last 6 to 7-hour hike downhill. Although it was not very steep, it was a dried-up river bed that was full of rocks and stones, making footing uneasy, and causing our quads to be even more on fire. But we knew the end was coming, so we just kept going. We stopped for lunch and continued on. After about 7 hours, we saw the base camp. Nothing could be sweeter! I signed out at the Ranger station and basically collapsed into the waiting truck. There were a lot of campers and hikers ending in this same area, so they drove us about 20 minutes away.\r\n\r\nWe had some lunch and then drove the rest of the way back to the lodge, which was a beautiful hotel about half an hour outside of Arusha on an old coffee plantation. Everybody had their own cabin. For the first time in 9 days, I took a shower. It was wonderful! Then we all gathered with the two guides and I said a few more words to represent the group. We had a nice dinner, and then two people left for the airport by 7 PM. That night, was my first night of sleep in a bed, after 9 days. It was fantastic! The mission was accomplished!\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/Sunrise-up-top-and-heading-down\"><strong>See Photos</strong></a>\r\n<h2>Kilimanjaro Was Amazing!</h2>\r\n<img class=\"size-full wp-image-2213 alignleft\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/klimanjaro-5.jpg\" alt=\"Klimanjaro (5)\" width=\"128\" height=\"128\" />\r\n\r\nEven though the trip was not exactly as described in the pamphlet, it was something I had had on my bucket list for over 10 years. It was extremely difficult at times. Some of our hikers had difficulty even moving and needed assistance. But we all persevered. I\'ve done 10 Ironman races so far (now 11!), which require monumental training. But the long hike up to the crater from 16,800 feet to 18,400, with the subsequent day of summiting, followed by the 9,000-foot descent, were some of the hardest things that I\'ve ever done. And that includes all my Ironman competitions.\r\n\r\nYou just can\'t imagine what it\'s like trying to move at that altitude. As I said before, it is similar to having a paper bag over your head and trying to grasp for air. There were times I took two or three steps and then had to pause for 15 or 20 seconds just to get my heart rate and breathing back down, repeating that again and again and again. Never looking ahead, only down, because sometimes ten feet took 45-60 seconds to cross. All this while enduring the sub-freezing temperature, the blowing snow, and the wind chill factors. Nothing but grit and determination to keep you going. But the views were spectacular and the feeling of being literally on top of the world made it all worth it.\r\n\r\nI\'ll continue to enjoy my Ironman triathlons and continue to do them as long as I can. But as far as hiking up a mountain to 19,341 feet, this will be my one and only time! It\'s a tremendous accomplishment, but something I would not want to repeat.\r\n\r\n[video poster=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Dancing.png\" width=\"352\" height=\"640\" mp4=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/DANCING-v3.mp4\"][/video]\r\n\r\n<img class=\"alignright\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/final-goodbyes-1.jpg\" />\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/Final-goodbyes-and-certificates\"><strong>See Photos</strong></a></p>\r\n\r\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\">Thank You to Everyone Who Made Kilimanjaro A Possibility!</h3>\r\nThank you to everyone that sent me well wishes before, during, and after my climb. It meant so much!\r\n\r\nI also thank my parents who gave me the will and determination to achieve all the goals in my life, no matter how hard they are.\r\nThey always ingrained this determination in me and encouraged me to just put my head down and keep going to achieve my goals.\r\nAs I said above, they were with me the whole way and always will be.\r\n\r\nThank you for taking the time to read this. I hope this will inspire you that if a goal is desired, to just put your head down and keep going no matter how difficult it may seem.\r\n\r\n<strong>Peter A. Fields, MD, DC </strong>\r\n<strong>The Athletic Doc<sup>®</sup></strong>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/about/the-athletic-doc/about-the-athletic-doc/\">Click here</a> to find out more about <strong>The Athletic Doc<sup>® </sup></strong>','Report of My Kilimanjaro Climb','','inherit','closed','closed','','2208-revision-v1','','','2021-08-30 19:43:16','2021-08-30 19:43:16','',2208,'https://www.drfields.com/?p=4874',0,'revision','',0),(4876,9,'2021-09-02 01:52:00','2021-09-02 01:52:00','<h1>Neck Injury Treatment</h1>\n<div></div>\n<div class=\"youtube-click-div video_left\">[video_lightbox_youtube video_id=\"-SyCX5PtrL4\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" anchor=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Peter-Neck.jpg\" alt=\"Peter Neck\"]\n<strong>Peter - Neck</strong></div>\n<h4>Regenerative Orthopedic Neck Treatments for Pain and Headaches</h4>\nOur Regenerative Orthopedic neck treatments, such as Prolotherapy, can help people like you, with head and neck pain, get your life back. Is neck pain keeping you from enjoying life as you would like? Whether you are an athlete with an injury, or simply an individual suffering from neck pain, we would love to help!\n\nIn cases of trauma, a hit to the head or neck can stretch and injure the ligaments in the neck.  Ligaments are what connect bone to bone. They help to stabilize the vertebrae. When injured, they become somewhat \"loose,\" similar to a stretched-out rubber band, and this can lead to neck instability. The instability can lead to a myriad of different symptoms, some of which can include dizziness and headaches.\n\nWe have written an article that discusses the symptoms of neck instability in more depth. If you are interested in finding out more about these symptoms of neck instability (cervical instability), please <a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/articles/regenerative-orthopedics/cervical-instability/\">clicking here</a>.\n\n<a class=\"buttonlink\" href=\"https://www.drfields.com/contact/\"> Schedule Your Appointment Today!</a>\n<h3>Common Neck Injury Treatments</h3>\nMost patients try to self-treat with NSAID medications such as Ibuprofen and Naproxen. If these medications do bring relief, the relief is often temporary. And once the drugs become ineffective, the patient often seeks even stronger prescription medications, such as nerve blocks. After that, an MRI is frequently taken, and then surgery is often recommended.\n\nFortunately, there is an alternative to surgical cervical fusion for chronic neck pain and pain from neck injuries by using comprehensive Regenerative Orthopedic neck treatments at OrthoRegen<sup>®</sup>.\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_4878\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"385\"]<img class=\" wp-image-4878\" src=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Non-Surgical-500x500.png\" alt=\"Non Surgical\" width=\"385\" height=\"385\" /> <strong>Choose a Non-Surgical Alternative for Neck Pain</strong>[/caption]\n<h3>Regenerative Orthopedic Neck Injury Treatments by Peter A Fields, MD, DC</h3>\nPeter A. Fields, MD, DC is also known as <a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/about/the-athletic-doc/about-the-athletic-doc/\">The Athletic Doc<sup>®</sup></a>  He has treated many athletes from all levels of sport, as well as the weekend warrior. Neck injuries can also be the result of overuse. Those of us who spend hour after hour in front of the computer can also suffer from ligament injury of the neck.\n\nRegenerative Orthopedic treatments can resolve the neck pain and headaches that result from these injuries too. Get back to doing what you love without surgery, without medications, and without extended time away from the activities you love in your life.\n\nIn our experience, a comprehensive Regenerative Orthopedic neck treatment along with a Natural Medicine program is the preferred way to treat neck pain for optimal long-term results.\n<h3><a style=\"display: block; margin: 0 auto; max-width: 275px;\" href=\"https://www.carecredit.com/go/762HNB/bb3poscustacqbtnclk08132020/?dtc=Ds5X&amp;promocode=CLT/\"><img class=\"alignnone\" style=\"max-width: 100%;\" src=\"https://www.carecredit.com/sites/pc/image/carecredit_button_applynow_280x100_a_v1.jpg\" width=\"275\" /></a></h3>\n<h3><strong>Some of the most common neck and head injuries we treat with comprehensive Regenerative Orthopedic neck injury treatments are:</strong></h3>\n<ul>\n 	<li>Atypical facial pain</li>\n 	<li>Barre-Lieou Syndrome</li>\n 	<li>Cervical instability</li>\n 	<li>Jaw pain</li>\n 	<li>Migraine headaches</li>\n 	<li>Muscle contraction headache</li>\n 	<li>Neck arthritis</li>\n 	<li>Neck pain</li>\n 	<li>Post cervical fusion pain</li>\n 	<li>Post-surgical neck pain</li>\n 	<li>TMJ syndrome</li>\n 	<li>Whiplash</li>\n</ul>\n<h3>Are You A Candidate for Regenerative Orthopedics?</h3>\nPeter A. Fields, MD, DC and our staff at OrthoRegen<sup>®</sup> offer traditional Dextrose Prolotherapy neck treatment, <a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/regenerative-techniques/prp-treatment/\">PRP Prolotherapy,</a> and <a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/regenerative-techniques/stem-cell-treatment/\">Stem Cell Prolotherapy</a>. To see if you are a candidate for one of our Regenerative Orthopedic treatments, or for a second opinion for a recommended surgery, contact us for a consultation, OrthoRegen<sup>®</sup>, <a href=\"tel:+[phone_raw]\">[phone]</a>.\n\nStill not convinced? Check out the testimonials on this page and on our <a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/Testimonials/Neck-Testimonials/\">Neck testimonials</a> and <a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/Testimonials/Headache-Testimonials/\">Head Testimonials</a> pages.\n\n<a class=\"buttonlink\" href=\"https://www.drfields.com/contact/\"> Schedule Your Appointment Today!</a>','Neck Injury Treatment','','inherit','closed','closed','','536-autosave-v1','','','2021-09-02 01:52:00','2021-09-02 01:52:00','',536,'https://www.drfields.com/?p=4876',0,'revision','',0),(4877,9,'2021-09-02 01:22:41','2021-09-02 01:22:41','<h1>Neck Injury Treatment</h1>\r\n<div></div>\r\n<div class=\"youtube-click-div video_left\">[video_lightbox_youtube video_id=\"-SyCX5PtrL4\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" anchor=\"https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Peter-Neck.jpg\" alt=\"Peter Neck\"]\r\n<strong>Peter - Neck</strong></div>\r\n<h4>Prolotherapy Neck Treatment for Pain and Headaches</h4>\r\nOur Prolotherapy neck treatment can help people like you with head and neck pain that can completely keep an athlete from participating in sports. If you are a cyclist, the riding position can be too painful to maintain for long distances. In cases of contact sport trauma, a hit to the head or neck can loosen the ligaments in the neck which hold the vertebrae together. This can lead to neck instability and chronic headaches.\r\n\r\n<a class=\"buttonlink\" href=\"https://www.drfields.com/contact/\"> Schedule Your Appointment Today!</a>\r\n\r\nMost patients try to self-treat with NSAID medications (Ibuprofen, Naproxen). Those drugs eventually become ineffective and often a patient seeks even stronger prescription medications, nerve blocks or an MRI is taken and surgery is recommended. There is an alternative to cervical fusion for chronic neck pain and headaches by using comprehensive <a title=\"Prolotherapy\" href=\"https://www.drfields.com/regenerative-techniques/dextrose-prolotherapy/prolotherapy-treatment-overview/\">Prolotherapy</a> neck treatment at OrthoRegen<sup>®</sup>.\r\n<h4>Prolotherapy Neck Treatment by Peter A Fields, MD DC</h4>\r\nDr. Fields, <a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/about/the-athletic-doc/about-the-athletic-doc/\">The Athletic Doc<sup>®</sup></a>, has treated athletes at all levels of sport, Olympic hopefuls to weekend warriors, Ironman competitors to student athletes. They all have confidence in a physician who is also an athlete. Dr. Fields has competed in Ironman Triathlons, marathons, long-distance cycling events and swimming. You can get back to your training and competitions without surgery, without medications, and without extended time away from your sport.\r\n\r\nIn our experience, a comprehensive Prolotherapy next treatment and Natural Medicine program is the preferred way to treat neck pain and headaches for optimal long term results.\r\n\r\n<a style=\"display: block; margin: 0 auto; max-width: 275px;\" href=\"https://www.carecredit.com/go/762HNB/bb3poscustacqbtnclk08132020/?dtc=Ds5X&amp;promocode=CLT/\"><img style=\"max-width: 100%;\" src=\"https://www.carecredit.com/sites/pc/image/carecredit_button_applynow_280x100_a_v1.jpg\" width=\"275\" /></a>\r\n<strong>Some of the most common neck and head injuries we treat with comprehensive Prolotherapy neck treatment are:</strong>\r\n<ul>\r\n 	<li>Atypical facial pain</li>\r\n 	<li>Barre-Lieou Syndrome</li>\r\n 	<li>Cervical instability</li>\r\n 	<li>Jaw pain</li>\r\n 	<li>Migraine headaches</li>\r\n 	<li>Muscle contraction headache</li>\r\n 	<li>Neck arthritis</li>\r\n 	<li>Neck pain</li>\r\n 	<li>Post cervical fusion pain</li>\r\n 	<li>Post-surgical neck pain</li>\r\n 	<li>TMJ syndrome</li>\r\n 	<li>Whiplash</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<h4>Are You A Candidate for Prolotherapy?</h4>\r\nDr. Fields and our staff at OrthoRegen<sup>®</sup> offer traditional Dextrose Prolotherapy neck treatment, as well as <a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/regenerative-techniques/prp-treatment/\">PRP Prolotherapy</a> and <a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/regenerative-techniques/stem-cell-treatment/\">Stem Cell Prolotherapy</a>. To see if you are a candidate for one of our Prolotherapy treatments, or for a second opinion for a recommended surgery, contact us for a consultation, OrthoRegen<sup>®</sup>, <a href=\"tel:+[phone_raw]\">[phone]</a>.\r\n\r\nStill not convinced? Check out the testimonials on this page and on our <a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/Testimonials/Neck-Testimonials/\">Neck testimonials</a> and <a href=\"https://www.drfields.com/Testimonials/Headache-Testimonials/\">Head Testimonials</a> pages.\r\n\r\n<a class=\"buttonlink\" href=\"https://www.drfields.com/contact/\"> Schedule Your Appointment Today!</a>','Neck Injury Treatment','','inherit','closed','closed','','536-revision-v1','','','2021-09-02 01:22:41','2021-09-02 01:22:41','',536,'https://www.drfields.com/?p=4877',0,'revision','',0),(4878,9,'2021-09-02 01:49:56','2021-09-02 01:49:56','Non Surgical','Non Surgical','Non Surgical','inherit','open','closed','','non-surgical','','','2021-09-02 01:49:56','2021-09-02 01:49:56','',536,'https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Non-Surgical.png',0,'attachment','image/png',0),