We love to adventure with people, and we love to hear (and share) their stories, as well. So we have a series of posts called “Sharing Our Embark Stories.”

This time, the adventurer is Mike Phipps, a police officer in New York City and the nationwide trainer for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. We help LLS members and supporters climb Mt. Kilimanjaro to help raise research funds, and Mike climbed Kili with us in 2017.

What was the most inspiring moment of your trip?

For me, inspiration on the trek changed moment to moment, just like the weather! Sometimes it was a challenging section of trail, other times the wonderful view, and yet again it could be found in the strength of my fellow climbers. Inspiration is where you find it, and on Kili , I found it many times!

What’s the biggest challenge you overcame, and how did that feel?

My Favorite quote (by I know not who) is: “It’s not the mountain that wears you down, it’s the pebble in your boot.” I found a few pebbles in my boot along the way: new climate, new culture, different language, unfamiliar food, the challenge of staying focused and organized and clean! There was packing, unpacking, preparing, constantly moving. So, how did I feel about it? I love finding pebbles in my boots and learning what I need to learn to take them out!

What did you learn about the place you visited and the people there?

I learned that I am blessed. I have so much and live in a country that can afford me opportunities to do and say and feel and have almost anything I want. At the same time, I learned that Western expectations can also be a pebble in my shoe! The people I met were positive, happy and so very resourceful. When I was walking the streets of Moshi, a local stopped me and asked me if I was from the USA. When I replied yes, he said, “Then you have seen heaven.” I was rocked to my core.

How did Embark help make your trip a success?

From start to finish I was truly impressed with Embark! They stayed in contact with me; prepared me for what to expect and what to have; helped with airport transportation; gave me support on those down days; had top notch gear and equipment; had caring and experienced guides and enthusiastic camp staff with a positive, can-do attitude on the climb; and they were willing to do anything to make my experience positive. I cannot say enough good things about this company!

Where do you want to go next, and why?

Everest Base Camp! The why is more difficult. Kili has taught me that the trek is the trek, but the cultural aspect of the country adds so much more to a hike. So the idea of standing before the world’s tallest summit, plus the culture, is something I’d like to know. And yes, I would welcome another pebble in my boot!

Would you like to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro with Embark?