A Pre-Climb Climb

Yesterday, I went on my pre-climb climb on Mount Kilimanjaro, motivated by Cory's advice that by doing an "acclimatization climb" I could double my chances of successfully climbing Kilimanjaro.  You may know that Cory has diligently avoided all understanding of things mathematical.  (Motivated, I suspect by having once read the following statement by Thomas Mann: “I tell them that if they will occupy themselves with the study of mathematics they will find in it the best remedy against the lusts of the flesh.”)

Despite his numerical illiteracy, Cory's advice is undoubtedly accurate this time.  I had calculated my chances of success, prior to the pre-climb climb at roughly 0%.  But now, thanks to my efforts yesterday, I can safely say that my newly calculated chances of success have improved to 0%.  My only hope of defying these odds is if the words of Augustine of Hippo prove to be true:

“The good Christian should beware of mathematicians.  The danger already exists that mathematicians have made a covenant with the devil to darken the spirit and confine man in the bonds of Hell.”  

By the way, this quote, and the 36 years I have know Cory, are the first things that make me seriously consider the possibility of reincarnation.

 












(The similarities are uncanny!)

As a mathematician, although I have not consciously made a covenant with the devil, I have certainly engaged in powerful and sustained efforts to darken the spirits of my students and to confine them in mathematical hell.  So, Devil, if you're reading this--you owe me one!  I expect your help up the mountain.

The one-day climb on Kilimanjaro allowed me to get up to around 11,000 feet of altitude, which is normally 1 1/2 days of climbing for people taking that route to the top of the mountain.  (I was on the Marangu Route--also know as the "Coca-Cola Route".  The route that Cory and I will be taking is the Umbwe Route, so I was not able to familiarize myself with our route but I was able to test out my legs and lungs.)

I am please to report that I had not just a great climb, but a stupendous climb.  A "great climb" being one in which I do not break any weight-bearing bones, and a "stupendous climb" being one in which I do not fall down.  I hope to achieve another great climb with Cory, but have no illusions that it can be a stupendous climb, seeing as how I cannot walk around my house for 6 days without falling down.

 As you can see from the following pictures, there is remarkable variation in the plant life as you gain altitude on the mountain.

The middle two pictures were taken from the same spot on the trail.  The first shows the damage from a 2008 wildfire, while the second shows an area that was not burned by the fire.

I wasn't expecting the surroundings to be so interesting, though I expect it gets barren and dull higher up.  Nonetheless, I will take many, many pictures--the better to annoy my friends with.  (Here that, Devil?  I'm like your second self!)