Some people write checks to support their favorite causes.
Some people roll up their sleeves and do volunteer work.
Paul Barr is planning to literally climb a mountain.
‘I’m a big believer that we can do whatever we put our minds to,? said Barr, owner of the Oxford Yoga Studio located at 18 N. Washington St.
In late June, the 47-year-old East China Township resident is planning to climb Mount Kilimanjaro in the African nation of Tanzania as a way to raise funds for the Oakland County-based Canine Companions Rescue Center (CCRC).
‘Paul is amazing. There’s no other word for it,? said Connie Fleck, who founded CCRC in 2004. ‘He’s always been a great supporter of our organization.?
CCRC is a volunteer-run, nonprofit organization dedicated to working with the community and area animal control agencies to promote the adoption of homeless dogs.
CCRC currently rescues and adopts approximately 700 dogs annually. Since 2004, the group has saved more than 6,000 dogs.
Barr has been involved with CCRC for about a year.
‘Right now, I spend a lot of my time trying to bring awareness to what they do and trying to raise as much money as I can for them,? he said. ‘All the animals that we rescue, they just want to be loved. It’s quite an emotional experience just to be with them. All they care about is somebody taking care of them, loving them and playing with them.?
Barr is hoping to collect $19,341 in donations as part of his mountain-climbing fund-raiser.
Why such an odd number?
That’s the height of Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest freestanding mountain in the world. It’s made up of three volcanic cones, two of which are extinct, while the third is dormant and could still possibly erupt.
‘It’s not something I’d ever do,? Fleck said. ‘My hat is off to him. It’s very unique. His commitment to the dogs is second to none. If he’s willing to climb a mountain for them, especially Kilimanjaro, I think that’s pretty special.?
Fleck noted having an additional $19,341 could help CCRC do a lot of good. For example, the group spends around $70,000 to $80,000 annually in medical fees.
‘That could be a huge amount of that budget,? she said.
The idea of climbing a mountain has been rattling around in Barr’s mind ever since he saw an article about it in a travel catalog during his college years.
Earlier this year, he decided to finally go for it.
‘I’m actually quite excited about it,? Barr said.
Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro is a much different experience than say scaling Mount Everest or K2 because the African mountain is walkable.
‘There’s no mountaineering skills required,? Barr said. ‘Basically, it’s a long, slow hike. From a technical aspect, it’s not that difficult, but you have to be in pretty good shape. I think it’s probably going to be much more of a mental challenge, climbing day after day.?
As a personal trainer, yoga instructor and marathon runner, Barr is already in much better shape than the average person. To prepare for his Kilimanjaro climb, he plans to engage in a lot of full-body resistance training and go on hikes that last five to six hours at a time.
Barr anticipates it taking him 4? days to reach the summit.
‘Coming down should be relatively easier, probably (do it) in a day or so,? he said.
The two biggest challenges Barr will face are diminished oxygen levels and changing climates.
‘The higher you go, the less oxygen you’re going to have,? he explained.
Oxygen levels near the top of the mountain are approximately half those at the base.
To prepare his body for this, Barr has purchased an elevation training mask, which he described as resembling the mask worn by the Hannibal Lecter character in the 1991 movie ‘Silence of the Lambs.?
Barr explained the mask is designed to constrict his breathing, which will strengthen the muscles around his lungs because they will have to work harder and condition his body to use the lower level of oxygen he is receiving in a more efficient manner.
‘I’ll wear it everyday for about 30 minutes,? he said.
Barr must also prepare to deal with Mount Kilimanjaro’s drastic temperature changes.
Climbers pass through five distinct climate zones as they hike from the bottom to the top. Temperatures go from routinely exceeding 90 degrees Fahrenheit in the rainforest regions to plunging to minus-10 degrees Fahrenheit or lower in the Arctic zone near the snow-capped summit.
One of the travel companies that offers Kilimanjaro trips likened climbing the mountain to ‘a condensed trip from the equator to the North Pole.?
Overall, Barr views his climb as a way to thank animals for playing such an important role in his life.
‘They’ve done so much to keep my spirit alive,? he said.
He has two rescue animals at home ? a young cat named D.J. and a 13-year-old poodle named Daisy.
‘When you come home, they’re just always so happy to see you,? he said.
Barr also sees his climb as a way to make a statement for people who battle mental illness. He wants to show them that ‘really anything’s possible.?
Years ago, he was diagnosed with a ‘mishmash? of conditions including depression and obsessive compulsive disorder.
‘The biggest thing that helps me cope with that is exercise, eating right and living right,? Barr said.
Barr hopes his climb will encourage people to treat each other and animals ‘in kind ways? and remind everyone that ‘life’s meant to be enjoyed.?
Folks wishing to donate to Barr’s fund-raiser can do so by visiting www.gofundme.com/kilimanjaroforccrc or www.facebook.com/KiliclimbforCCRC
‘Any contribution that people make is helpful to us because we’re a nonprofit,? Fleck said. ‘We survive primarily through donations and our adoption fees.?