Daniel Ngwata Climbs in the PNW







Dear Friends and Family,
In January I was very fortunate to travel to Tanzania to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro.  The trip originated from a friend's 40th birthday wish to fulfill a dream he conceived while serving in the Peace Corps in Kenya many years ago.  

As Americans, I think we take for granted how fortunate we are to travel anywhere we can dream of and are most often welcomed by gracious hosts.  Over 35,000 people attempt to climb Mt Kilimanjaro per year, with around 10,000 of those being Americans, the most of any country.  

In speaking with the guides and the porters on the trip, I learned that not one of them had ever left their country. Yet, it occured to me that curiosity and hopes and dreams of travel and adventure are universal. 

One person in particular struck this chord for me, our guide Daniel.  Daniel has never been outside of Tanzania.  And yet he speaks several languages, including Swahili, English, French, and Spanish.  He is a talented trail runner, climber, and in addition extremely kind.  And it is a dream of his to visit the United States.  

As a person who was adopted and raised by Americans, I always remind myself of the incredible good a single person can do and to live my life trying to pay that deed forward.  

To that end, I found it my duty to help Daniel realize his dream.  With the generosity of Gordon Janow from Alpine Ascents, Daniel is sponsored to participate in a 6 day Mountaineering Course on August 14-19th in the North Cascades.  During that trip, he will learn important skills applicable to his profession of mountain guiding.  He will also spend time in Seattle and experience American culture.
 
Daniel has obtained a visa to visit the United States August 10-24th as a result of his own efforts and because of a letter of support written by Alpine Ascents Everest/Denali/Kilimanjaro guide Eric Murphy who has worked alongside and known Daniel for 9 years.  

I have sponsored his airfare and Eric Murphy his accommodations.  However, he is still in need of a lot of gear for his mountaineering course and that is where I hope you can help.  For those of us who travel and haven't been able to pay that forward to another person who has had less opportunity, this is a chance to send that karma back into the world.  The amount is not important, what is important (to me) is the reciprocity of our community to him as a representative of his.  If you are not able to donate cash but have any any specific items listed below, I (and Daniel) would be most grateful.  Any amount is an important gesture.  

We will be organizing a social at Seattle Bouldering Project in Seattle August 13th so that Daniel can thank you in person, details TBA.  

We will also post updates here so you can see his gear and trip progress.  

Special thanks to Alpine Ascents/Gordon Janow and Eric Murphy for their incredible generosity to make this dream into a reality.  And thank you to Andy Wyatt at Seattle Bouldering Project for donating rock climbing shoes.  

New or Used Items Accepted:
Ice Axe
Crampons
Harness
Trekking Poles
Gaiters
Boots
Baselayers
Midlayer Jacket
Ski Goggles
Expedition Backpack
Inflatable Pad
Foam Pad
Sleeping Bag
Spoon
Bowl
Cup
H20 Bottles
Tent
1st Aid Kit
Food
Carabiners
Cordelette
Belay Device
Socks
Gloves