A boy and a big rock

The website is up and running

2007-12-28T09:44:00.000-08:00

Hi Guys,

My expedition website is finally up and running and looking awesome thanks to Etienne!
Log on to www.climbofhope.com and the blog will continue on under "my Blog".

See you there.

Bring on the good days

2007-12-06T07:49:00.000-08:00

First Ascent confirmed equipment sponsorship today. A big thank you to Andrew and Morne for their generosity. I am truly lucky to be given awesome gear.

People from everywhere are really starting to get things going. One person forwards the info and it is exploding exponentially. The more people find out, the more they want to help.

RJ Welsh joked saying "Start a 2nd banner, you're going to need it".

I say bring it on.

Doers and Talkers

2007-12-05T22:41:00.000-08:00

I have, over the years, met a lot people who do things and people who talk about things. In the last week, I have been honored to cross paths with some of the most amazing doers.
People who hear about what I am trying to do, pick up the reigns and get things done.

This is a thank you to Patrick Clarke, Samantha Choles and Johan Liebenberg. Yesterday I was put in contact with radio producers and DJs, Sun International, SAB and an entire network of people which will lead to massive headway being made ever closer to the goal.

Thanks again guys.

4 of 7

2007-12-04T07:17:00.000-08:00

She haunts my dreams by night and fills my prayers by day. The mountain of white death. Everest. 8848m, Tibet. The only part of the earth protruding into the stratoshphere.
This is the shadow Everest casts across the world every morning at sunrise.
Know how big this mountain is.

3 of 7

2007-12-04T07:08:00.000-08:00

Mount Elbrus in Russia. 5642m high. Cold like a penguin's bum. June 2004
It may be lower than Kili, but there is nothing easy about this baby. Even the glum attitude of the locals started to wear my spirit thin at times.

2 of 7

2007-12-04T07:00:00.001-08:00

The first time I tried to climb Aconcagua, I was turned around at 5500m high with a lung infection which developed into blood clots in my lungs. Twelve months and another R10000 later we got to the top of Aconcagua. 6968m, highest mountain outside of the Himalaya, Argentina.

Number 1 of 7

2007-12-04T06:53:00.000-08:00

This me on Kilimanjaro, the first of my Seven Summits.

Tanzania, 5895m high.
I have summitted Kili 4 times from 2 separate approach routes.

Oh it's good to be me...

2007-12-04T06:46:00.000-08:00

Today at 10am, DHL delivered two big boxes with my name on them. They were sealed with Canon branded tape. So I opened them with glee and haste...and a sharp knife.

The cameras and accessories arrived. A 400D (10,1 MegaPixel)camera, Mini DV Camera, a 2Gb Memory Card,a printer with photo paper and spare ink cartridges and an awesome backpack with compartments for lenses and things...

Needless to say, the rest of the day was filled people either sucking up to me or threatening my life.

Feeling hopeful, jus t need people to start buying squares.

Congrats to DCRW Advertising - for officially purchasing the first block on the banner. 2879 to go!

In the meantime

2007-12-02T23:48:00.000-08:00

Time is slipping away fast and furiously, so I will be to the point.

I have developed a sponsorship concept to assist with funding my Everest trip, as well as raise R1 million rand for CANSA (SA Cancer Association)

I am selling my expedition banner block by block. Each block is 4cm x 5cm and they are on sale for R500 each.

So people buy a block or blocks and they can put whatever they want on it. A digital version will be available on the website and your block will be a link to your site or as a downloadable image with a dedication message. So buy a block and promote your company, your Scout Group, whatever...

But crunch time is coming. So please dig deep and lets start raising some money.

Please email me at robby.kojetin@ogilvy.co.za if you need any help.

Thanking you in advance,

Robby
Climb high for those who can't.

Exciting times!

2007-11-26T05:33:00.000-08:00

Since the creation of the logo on Friday afternoon, so much has happened in the journey to the roof of the world.

I sent the proposal off to Microsoft, as in Bill Gates and the boys, so I am holding thumbs BIG TIME.

I got an email from East Coast Radio, and although they cannot donate funding, they will give me a chance to advertise the expedition and its link to CANSA on air. Awesome news that.

Etienne from Halo Communications will be registering the domain name today and the bank account will become active by the end of the week. So things are a go.

Off to gym tonight, going to hit the spinning bike and super circuit. Time to start getting strong. I will approaching personal trainers to take on my case in excvhange for exposure. Win win a wena.

Soon I'll be able to say "check out my website" and "mail me at robby@mountainofhope.com".

It's good to be me.

2007-11-22T06:13:00.000-08:00

Things are finally taking shape.

Welcome to the new logo. Thanks to Bart for crafting this logo. It is different to all the other expedition logos I have seen, and it relates to the sponsorship concept.

So here is the idea. I am going take a banner 1,6m x 3,2m to the summit. The banner is going to be split into squares and people can buy a square for their company logo, a photo of a loved one, their troop logo or just their signature. Blocks can be bought in any quantity and once all are sold, funds raised will cover all expedition costs, as well as a donation of R1 Million to cancer research.

Squares are for sale shortly, once the website is established. An exact digital version of the banner will be viewable on the internet and clicking on various squares will link the viewer to the respective sites. So for R500, you get to have your name on top of Everest, and you get online advertising as well.

Watch this space...or rather, buy this space.

Attack of the Zombies

2007-11-21T22:05:00.000-08:00

So after refining the sponsorship concept, I finally climb into bed at midnight. My mind was still bouncing off the walls, counting squares, listing potential sponsors... Eventually I got up to watch TV and eventually drifted off to sleep, only to wake up an hour before my alarm. Perfect.

One step closer.

2007-11-19T23:38:00.000-08:00

I just put the phone down after talking to the Marketing Director of Canon South Africa.In a nutshell they would love to sponsor me for my trip to Everest.

This is great news! Not only do I get to have access to some of the best photographic equipment in the world, but knowing the expedition will be well documented visually makes future proposals to other companies more appealing.

The Canon sponsorship includes a 400D camera, a mini DV Camera and accessories yet to be finalised.

So, a huge thank you goes out to Roger and Canon for seeing the bigger picture.

The waiting game

2007-11-16T05:19:00.000-08:00

Perhaps this is the best training for patience. Often climbers sit put in camp waiting on weather or acclimitisation, which can be days confined to your tent. Once every book has been read and every joke has been told, the walls start close in around you.

That's how I feel today. Everything is on hold. Waiting for client service to speak to client, so I bypassed it. Now I wait for the client whom I contacted directly,to get back to me so we can meet to discuss my proposal.

Time ticks by. I phoned Nepal yesterday to chat to someone at Himex. I need to pay for the expedition before the end of December. Thats in 6 weeks time. Even once the agreement is made, it takes time to get the actually money into action. I don't want this to go by because of disorganisation, I am so on top of things, and it's the waiting for others to help.

Advice for future Fund Seekers, don't ever expect anyone to share your excitement. The idea is clear in your head and your head alone. Don't get dispondent when others don't react the way you do.

Don't ask an accountant to decorate the office. Similarly, don't ask normal people to understand Everest.

Another late night

2007-11-13T02:35:00.000-08:00

A new day, another morning after. Sitting here chained to the machine while wishing I could be somewhere else.

Last night I made amendments to the East Coast Radio Sponsorship proposal, as well as a short "teaser" email to precede the proposal document. The project has evolved into something massive with the potential of raising close on R9 Million for CANSA, the SA Cancer Association.

I need to get an audience with the CEO of ECR, Trish Taylor. She is apparently very driven and has done Comrades a number of times.

It seems very fortunate that the work I am being given to do at work is coinciding well with my progress on Everest. I have just been asked to refresh the station's current media pack. This document gives all the listener statistics, demographics and other really useful stuff.

I am hoping it is more than a coincidence.

I got to sleep at 1h45 after not being able to sleep. I got up and went back to my Mac to flesh out the thoughts racing around my head. It turned out well and I hope East Coast Radio will receive this proposal well. Hold thumbs.

Where it all began

2007-11-08T01:26:00.000-08:00

This picture was a cover in the 90's for one of Petzl's catalogues. It was the epitome of my perception of adventure. The young boy is reckless and fearless, driven by simple joys. Nothing pretentious or false, adventure is all that matters.

I took the page and stuck it to the front cover of the journal I kept on 3 peaks, my first high altitude trip in 2000. From there on, it became my mascot. The boy and a rock, nothing more.

Fingers crossed!

2007-11-07T02:32:00.000-08:00

I have just found the gloves I want for my summit bid. Down mitts are more popular than gloves as your fingers keep each warm like soldiers man snuggling in a rainy bunker somewhere in Dunkirk, WW II hero style.

Down Mitts £75. R1200 - 10 fingers, Priceless.

Inspiration comes at the weirdest times, and this time it hit me at about 1am on Monday night.

My proposal to East Coast Radio for full sponsorship, if i may say so myself, is bombproof. The proposition to client is sound and it should prove to be incredibly successful.
I have also compiled a list of equipment still needed and will be submitting the proposal to Drifters Adventure Centre.

People never consider the amount of time and effort that goes into approaching suppliers and sponsors. Not to mention, researching all the components that get documented in proposal documents.
Then there is physical training to get fit. Getting to bed at 1:30 every night leaves me tired more often than not, but i realise how important it is. I try to tell myself that this is my opportunity to get into the shape of my life, but that reasoning doesn't often hold water.

So, there is so much going on. I am enjoying the pursuit and the preparation of this trip, which I suppose holds some of appeal.

I think my mother is coming to terms with the fact that I am going. When I first announced my intention, she was shocked and I got the impression she was upset at my decision. I know her only concern is that I don't return.

I must be honest, I do not fear death in any way. This calling to Everest feels so natural that I have excepted that it going to be the springboard to greater things upon my return, or I have expensive taste in headstones. Either way, this is meant to be.

So in terms of East Coast Radio sponsorship, stay tuned...literally.

Thought update

2007-11-04T09:12:00.000-08:00

Understand that every waking moment revolves around Everest. Every single thing I see triggers a thought from potential sponsors to little things I am going to need on the mountain.

Today I sneaked a snack at McDonalds and it struck me that even they could be sponsors. The store is littered with posters of people running and doing active stuff. On the cup, they have an endorsement campaign with faces of everyday people from swimmers to fire fighters. So guess who the next proposal will be addresses to... Pa dup pa pa pa, I'm loving it.

Cycled to Sibaya yesterday, nice ride, 36km. Today my ankle is quite tight. Wanted to go swim today, but feel really lazy. So tomorrow I hit the pool hard. It's work tomorrow and I have to follow up with the MD of my company. I showed him my first draft of a proposal I wanted to give to a client of Ogilvy. I also showed him a plan how to use 4-7 existing clients to work together and in turn boost Ogilvy's "Noddy points" as the agency that made amazing things happen for their clients. He's unfortunately a busy man, and hasn't as yet read the document. If push comes to shove, all I need is his permission to approach clients in my personal capacity. We forge forward regardless.

I also have a bit of a dilemma in terms of other trips that have popped their head into 2008's climbing calendar. Warren is taking a group to Russia in June/July and I would kill to be on a mountain with Wa again. Russia was awesome but I don't really need to go seeing I summited Elbrus in 2004. (One of the Seven Summits - highest in Europe)

Kim from Team Zodwa wants the team to go to Kili in August too. My commitment as Expedition Manager requires me to climb all Seven Summits for the girls. Climbing E will be 3 months away and further leave will be impossible.

Climbing Everest with 5 months to prepare is like finding out you are pregnant 7 months in...lots to arrange on short notice, but you also have to sell the Porsche to buy a Volvo.

Sweet! Dude!

2007-11-02T14:01:00.000-07:00

These are the boots I will probably take to Everest.

Cripi 8000 Everest Edition
Weight: About 1,1kg each
Cost: R5 500

These are the Hummers of the shoe industry. The boot shell is made from Silicone impregnated leather, with an inner boot, similar to a thick wetsuit Neoprene. This is covered by the fitted gaiter that waterproof/snowproof/ bombproofs your leg to just below the knee. In my case I could add straps and use them as waders.
I am thinking of names, when my adoption is cleared.
And yes, I will be wearing them round the house when no one is looking. It's a mountain thing.

Lost on the swings

2007-11-01T07:28:00.000-07:00

As good and as productive as yesterday was, today was dismal. The frustrating thing with obtaining sponsors is the waiting game. Being dependable on others for their contacts and resources is difficult. Staying genuinely appreciative and grateful for their help on their time line is not an easy task.

Right now the fuzzy plan in my head is to fly to Kathmandu on 1 March 08, and spend 2 or 3 days cruising around the town to clear my head. I suspect by that stage, my nerves will be shot and a mini-holiday will be welcome.

I am learning about blogging as I go along and tonight I am going to find out how to add pictures. If you read this and have requests / questions/topics to discuss, mail me. I want this to be as interesting and engaging as possible. robby.kojetin@ogilvy.co.za

Anyway, plan of action for tonight...finish proposal to Canon (asking for camera and DV recorder with batteries and storage cards). Go to gym, super circuit and swim 1000m.

Feel slightly despondent today, not really sure why though. I really love seeing how Brett has taken an interest in climbing and all the facts about my upcoming expedition. He is even thinking about a trek to base camp while I'm there.

Fun fact for the day: Climbers burn around 6000 calories a day at high altitude. Lose weight now, ask me how.

What's up with today, today?

2007-10-31T09:48:00.000-07:00

Today was good. I got a really positive e-mail back from First Ascent saying that my proposal for gear sponsored looks favourable. That is a good thing, because it helps secure other marketing partners if they know I am a credible climber supported by credible suppliers.

This will take care of my Down Suit (its a mixture of an overall and a sleeping bag) my sleeping bag, and clothing to keep me warm when its Uber-chilly.

I am also in the process of approach various Marketing Partners. Some are being approached for cash, some for their respective product/s and some for both. Today I am writing up my proposal to Canon, photographic equipment. Wish me luck.

Fun fact for the day
On summit day, to risk frostbite on your jiggly bits, losing body heat and a general delay, climbers have been known to delivered 1's and 2's while on the go. As if 2 weeks between showers wasn't bad enough.

The story so far.

2007-10-31T09:37:00.000-07:00

For those of you who don't know me, for me not to be taken seriously is not uncommon. So when I have made other threats to take on the Big E, needles to say a lot of people shrugged it off onto the pile where New Year's resolutions now live.

It started as a dream of mine since I was young wanting go to Everest, but then I had no idea of what that actually meant. I started climbing at 16 and have since summitted 3 of the Seven Summits as well as some peaks in Peru, Uganda, Kenya and Russia.

I have led 3 groups of about 15 people to the top of Kilimanjaro, so if you need to ask anything, or want to join a group going in August 2008, or climbing Mt Elbrus in July, contact me. My details are in my profile.

So. Everest, the Big One, Big E, or affectionately E.
Imagine the looks I get being overheard having said "I'm doing E in March".

One step at a time...

2007-10-31T09:27:00.000-07:00

We wish you luck as we wave you good bye. I have just mailed the MD and Marketing Director for McDonalds SA. The proposal is very attractive.
I have introduced the concept of setting a world record eating McDonald's on the top of the world. Unbeatable. Unless you are a Russian pigging out on the Muir Space Station.

So we hold thumbs. In the means time, I will train hard, harder than the days before.I have stuck pictures of climbers working their way up the North Ridge. Thoughts become things.

Fun fact for the day: If someone were to be taken to the top of Everest in a cable car or helicopter (not that its possible) they would die within 30 minutes from the lack of Oxygen at that altitude. Thats why we take the best part of 12 weeks to acclimitise slowly.

If anyone is reading this, drop me a line. I just want to know how many people are seeing this. Thanks

robby.kojetin@ogilvy.co.za