patty mac laughlin simon kilamanjaro thumbnail graphic

CLIMBING KILAMANJARO... A MODERN-DAY PILGRIMAGE

Why do people climb MOUNTAINS? In January, 2008, I climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro which is 19,000+ feet high. The climb was a very important EXPERIENCE of my life because it was my first BIG physical CHALLENGE. As an artist, it was important that I document the route, the details, and my feelings each day of the JOURNEY. Some very MONUMENTAL shifts occurred both day to day and on summit day. I knew then that what I had experienced was a modern day pilgrimage. This art installation is a visual journey through my experience. It contains monoprints of my journal pages, BOOTPRINTS of my actual hiking boots, dirt, gear, original journal, photo book of actual trip, and a SHRINE to the mountain. My hope is that the viewer will think about PILGRIMAGE in their everyday life. We all are on personal growth PATHS that may not start on an airplane or go up a mountain. I hope by describing mine, you can RELATE to your own life journey!

Kilamanjaro Journal
Entry 1

Going up was fine but going down was a problem

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Kilamanjaro Journal
Entry 2

Anticipate the joy and pee nine times on flight

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Kilamanjaro Journal
Entry 3

Met a fellow Kili climber who was a cancer survivor

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Kilamanjaro Journal
Entry 4

Flame trees against the brilliant starry night of Arusha

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Kilamanjaro Journal
Entry 5

Asante sana means thank you for getting me up Kili

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Kilamanjaro Journal
Entry 6

I slept apprehensiveling thinking about the road not taken

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Kilamanjaro Journal
Entry 7

Description of route and diamox

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Kilamanjaro Journal
Entry 8

Lush banana trees and bouganvillias along the road

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Kilamanjaro Journal
Entry 9

If you get excited, your adrenalin stops so stay calm

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Kilamanjaro Journal
Entry 10

Twende pole pole ju Kili - Let's go slowly slowly up Kili

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Kilamanjaro Journal
Entry 11

The mountain was talking to me with an omen to keep going

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Kilamanjaro Journal
Entry 12

If one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams

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Kilamanjaro Journal
Entry 13

Talent, genius or education will not take the place of persistance

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Kilamanjaro Journal
Entry 14

Going pee at midnight under the glittery night sky

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Kilamanjaro Journal
Entry 15

The high was not the mountain but the clouds in the sky

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Kilamanjaro Journal
Entry 16

Snow before breakfast, now sun. Do I take off layers?

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Kilamanjaro Journal
Entry 17

Celosia palm is 50 to 60 years old like the Kili Ladies

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Kilamanjaro Journal
Entry 18

We either make ourselves miserable or make ourselves strong

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Kilamanjaro Journal
Entry 19

I did not get up Mt. Everest on technical skill. I got up taking one step at a time. Sir Edmond Hilary

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Kilamanjaro Journal
Entry 20

Breathe through nose and exhale through you mouth and donŐt look at grade

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Kilamanjaro Journal
Entry 21

Starting the summit climb and looking at ice encrusted climbers coming down

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Kilamanjaro Journal
Entry 22

Climbing up and down with drama and help

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Kilamanjaro Journal
Entry 23

Recovery. You never conquer the mountain. You conquer yourself.

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Kilamanjaro Journal
Entry 24

Dancing and singing in celebration with the porters

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Kilamanjaro Journal
Entry 25

Information for head guide in Tanzania

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Kilamanjaro Journal
Entry 26

Going down in night blindness.

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Kilamanjaro Journal
Entry 27

Fell asleep on and off all day

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Kilamanjaro Journal
Entry 28

Back at Kia Lodge swimming with beautiful snowy view of Kili

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Kilamanjaro Journal
Entry 29

On flight back, had three seats across and slept the whole time

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Kilamanjaro Journal
Entry 30

Really thirsty

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