Nina Spencer

“Your breakfast keynote on, A Time to Creep, A Time to Soar: Lessons learned from climbing Kilimanjaro, was perfectly pitched. Many of us were feeling apprehensive about our subsequent treetop trekking activity and the thoughts and experiences you shared, and the way in which you presented them, resulted in a shift in mindset for everyone … Read more

Back in Kenya now. Last night, while still in Nairobi, we were taken out to a restaurant named Carnivore, where, you guessed it, pretty much nothin’ but meat was served. A little reluctantly I tried camel, ostrich, crocodile and oxen heart. A little bit “yucky,” but at least I tried the “when in Rome” perspective. … Read more

Well all this hydrotherapy I’ve been getting, between the Indian Ocean and the salt water pool, has pretty much healed my elbow injury received when I fell during the last few moments of my nine day hike last week. It’s incredible to me to comprehend that one week has already passed since last Wednesday’s Kili … Read more

Well it’s hard to believe that it was a week ago that the 13 of us summitted Kili, for as hard as we worked at it for seven days of ascent, that’s how lazy we’re being now, lolling about at a lovely resort in Zanzibar (healing our wounds and minor injuries). So surreal. Early morning … Read more

It’s now 8pm on day 6 and I’m at 16,000 feet. This is my last ascent camp, known as Barafu Camp. Summit day is tomorrow and we start out at 3am in the morning with our target to summit at noon or 1pm. Wish me luck!!! Here’s is a pic from our camp. See the … Read more

Today is the 5th morning of my 7 day ascent of Mt. Kili and on my trek to the summit, I faced a daunting 800 foot vertical climb of what is known as, the Great Barranco Wall. “Pole pole” (slowly, slowly) does it. Onwards and upwards I trekked finally reaching the top. I’m having to … Read more

Well I had a poor night’s sleep last Night. Awoke at 4:20 to the sound of a rooster crowing (that then continued on and off til sundown!) A few minutes later the sounds of faithful Muslims’ calling prayers, then, shortly afterwards, the repetitive striking of a nearby Hindu temple bell. I surrendered to the dual … Read more

Seven hour bus ride today from Nairobi, Kenya to Moshi, Tanzania, crossing rural Africa in a way classic to what you might see on a travel or history tv channel or read in a magazine, e.g National Geographic. We experienced moments of adventure and uncertainty at the border and that’s all I have to say … Read more

A picture perfect Kenyan morning breakfasting in the cafe and strolling the university grounds, noting all kinds of birds and trees, including a fan shaped one called an East West tree, for no matter how this tree’s seed is planted it will only spread east west. interesting, eh? Afterwards, we visited a children ‘s school … Read more

Sunday Night, Jan. 16, great flight(s)! Twenty-two hours of travel but here now. Second leg was spectacular from the clear blue and sunny sky that I saw from my window–second of two seven hour flights. Saw from my window Paris, the Italian and French Alps, the entire sunny west coast of Italy–the whole length…Genoa, Naples, … Read more

Saturday, January 8th to Thursday, January 13th, inclusive Well this is it my friends, the metaphoric 11th hour. And as for me? I’ve completely scaled back any walking or hiking now. Months ago I read that this is the advice offered up by modern-day coaches of elite athletes. Sounds good to me! However, I’m not … Read more

Well it’s “crunch, crunch” time, and I don’t mean the sound of the snow underfoot at Rattlesnake Point this past weekend. I mean less than seven weeks to go until Kili departure. I’m feeling it now…the need to focus on strengthening even further those muscle groups that will see me up and down the mountain … Read more

Another heavy-duty hiking weekend completed, now. Saturday, November 20th, just a 7K urban hike through west-end Toronto’s High Park. The real story, however, is Sunday, November 21st’s trek. On Sunday morning, I awoke in the predawn with a sure-fired sore throat. Although not fully conscious, I recollect thinking, “Uh oh, I simply can’t get sick…not … Read more

On Sunday, November 14 we chose to walk a quicker, urban trail that, although wouldn’t give us much in the way of incline or rough terrain training, would help us log some serious “Ks”. And so we hiked the “Discovery Trail” along the Humber River, picking the path up in suburban Toronto’s/Etobicoke’s James Gardens and … Read more

Last Sunday I hiked Algonquin Park’s Centennial Ridges for what probably will be the last time this season. Too bad…last Sunday’s climb was my “lucky 7th” hike of that trail, and I was becoming quite fond of this 5 hour challenge. The first time I climbed to the first 2000′ ridge, on July 26th, old … Read more

Last Sunday, October 24, 2010, I hiked my longest hike (kilometer-wise/17K) to date, along Rattlesnake Point/Crawford Lake Portion of Ontario’s spectacular Bruce Trail. Drove there in the sopping rain at 7 a.m. It rained all Saturday night. The kind of rain you can hear through closed windows. The kind that wakes you up. Which it … Read more

It’s official! Only 12 weeks to go until I take on what will probably be the hardest physical challenge of my life (and that’s including childbirth!). All that I’ve spoken with, who have done the climb of Kilimanjaro, say this is so…that it was the hardest physical thing they ever did; but also the most … Read more

My Dear Working Wisdom subscribers, clients (and potential clients), colleagues, friends and anyone who may have just now found their way, serendipitously, to my website and blog! I have BIG personal news that I so wish to share with you! In January 2011 I will be climbing Mount Kilimanjaro and am raising funds for a … Read more