Organizing the expedition

Ascending the Kilimanjaro is not the most endeavoring human challenge, but it’s far from being a walk in the park.

Organizing the expedition requires rigorous planning and expertise.

Have a look at the first video of the preparation:

Ice Care sponsored by MEO

Whenever I mention the Ice Care project the idea is pretty well accepted!

People like the cause, like the adventure, like the Kilimanjaro and like Africa.
There’s something romantic about this project, that makes people breath differently for a while.
Ice Care brings out the dreamer in each one of us – which has been a little blurred by the crises.

Part of the credit, is due to the project itself – it’s pretty ‘round’, pretty well thought of.
The few pessimistic thoughts generally have to do with the economic situation:
- ‘You can’t expect to get sponsored by banks’
- ‘Everyone is afraid nowadays’

Fortunately, a few solid companies, understand the market volatility and adopted a ‘show must go on’ attitude!
That’s what I’ve found, with rejoice, last week on my meeting with MEO.
Following the agreement with Sapo, to become another Ice Care media partner, Portugal Telecom continues to support our initiative.
MEO set up a budget to support the Ice Care project, thus becoming our first official sponsor!

During the meeting, we have naturally discussed the issues concerning the visibility plans and return of investment, but also the pioneering and human value of the project.
It’s rare to have Portuguese people engaged in a global cause, and developing projects at a international level.

Congratulations MEO for your vision and thanks for your vital support!

Portuguese antropologist Joana Roque de Pinho is helping out with Ice Care

Recently I came across na interview with Joana Roque de Pinho, in TSF (portuguese news radio broadcaster).
http://tsf.sapo.pt/podcast/files/pet_20080825.mp3

Joana is taking her Ph.D. in Human Ecology at Colorado University.
For her thesis, she lived for 2 years, among the Maasai tribe in Kenya.

I established contact with Joana immediately upon listening to the interview. Since then, we’ve been spending some time discussing ideas over phone and e-mail.

Joana has given a very significant contribution to our field research, providing contacts of local translators, bibliography and further recommendation on local protocol.
The most important contribute resides on the enthusiastic tone of her daily e-mails, from which and can just barely sense the interest of both her thesis and herself.

In a recent e-mail Joana wrote:
‘by the end of your field research, you can buy a goat and offer a ‘nyama choma’ to your hosts. (they’ll kill it and prepare it themselves). I’m so jealous of you! And I’m missing it so much!’
I can imagine! Myself, I’m almost considering staying with the research team and skip the summit.
You are obviously very welcome to join the expedition in May! Finish your thesis quickly and come along!

Thank you very much for everything Joana! Your genuine support has been quite reassuring!
(photo by Margarida Vilas-Boas)

(fotografia de Margarida Vilas-Boas)

Sapo becomes Ice Care media partner

I’ve nurtured quite a chunk of projects in my life, and developed the gut feeling to spot the no-turning-back point.
There is an instant in time, when my projects spring life of their own, thus becoming independent from its creator.
I felt that thrill on my first meeting with Portugal Telecom group. That day the Ice Care became an entity…spread its wings and took off.

We’ve discussed several ideas to implement together.
After this one meeting, I remember talking to a friend saying: ‘Can’t go back now! I really must climb the Kilimanjaro now!’
Meant as a joke, obviously, there’s nothing I want more now than start the expedition.

A couple of weeks later, Sapo formalizes its relationship with Ice Care, as media partner.

On the roadmap there are a few communication activities:
. creation of www.icecare.org;
. hosting of Ice Care blog on Sapo platform;
. on-line communication of several themes such as: environment / ecology / adventure / climate change;
. creation of a video blog with: training videos / expedition videos / pedagogic videos / etc.

This partnership with Sapo is very important for Ice Care, considering the momentum internet content has been gaining, surpassing occasionally the attractiveness of television.
According to my good friend Jorge Vassalo – developer of http://ateondevaiscom1000euros.blogspot.com/ which I strongly recommend to adventure enthusiast – his award winning blog had more than 120.000 unique visitors! And most visitors on Monday mornings, I wonder why?

Thank you Sapo, for your trust and support!

Silva and Gerber brands support the Ice Care Project

Arriving home that day, I felt the urge to play with my new toys!

Men will always be boys, right?

I remember being 12 – spending my day on a bicycle in the narrow streets of Colares, in the middle of summer. There was a compulsory daily visit to the local gun center. We were 5 or 6 boys mesmerized by the shotguns and knifes…we never bought anything. Those were the days of harmless slingshots, useless compasses and pointless flashlights used during the day inside a darkened room. But also of bush knives, twigs sharpened with penknives and bird traps. Can this be the remains of hunter-collector instinct? Maybe...

Lying on my bad, like spoils of a police recovery… I’ve got:

. 2 magnificent SILVA compasses (one Ranger 3 and one Voyager 8040)

. 4 headlamps SILVA with high performance LEDs

. 3 tactic flashlights GERBER – that can use 3 different types of batteries

. 2 sets of GERBER multi-plier and knife GERBER

. 1 knife and axe GERBER Gator Combo Axe

. 1 GERBER Sport Axe

This first set of equipment represents part of SILVA and GERBER support to Ice Care project. Dual Brand, the company representing these and other outdoor brands in Portugal, has been extremely helpful in counseling and supplying equipment.

The know-how and expertise of Ricardo and Tiago (Dual Brand owners), was a priceless support to our project – we are even thinking about creating a series of videos on equipment technical features and usage training, which will be available at the web site http://www.icecare.org/, once it’s on-line.

Thanks Ricardo,

Thanks Tiago,

Thanks SILVA,

Thanks GERBER

...for the equipment and for the memories…