A group of friends who knew Indian Creek Trail homicide victim Mike Darby plan to climb Mount Kilimanjaro in July while carrying pictures and items reminding them of the man close to their hearts.
The trip to Tanzania is part of a Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Team In Training event, which Darby planned to be a part of before the tragedy in May.
Police say Darby was killed while walking his dogs along the trail in what they continue to investigate as a homicide.
After Darby's tragic passing, the group of friends said the trip took on a new meaning.
"When he passed and we all got together, everybody got together and said 'There is a whole different reason to do this now,'" explained Jennifer Rodrigues. "It got bigger than any individual's accomplishment."
Rodrigues, along with two other friends, showed 41 Action News the picture they plan to bring with them for the adventure.
The picture shows Darby smiling after a cycling event at Lake Tahoe, which the group said was a typical way to see their friend.
"It was a particularly bad year for weather. They rode through rain and mud," explained Rodrigues. "The picture is after 100 miles of riding in the most miserable conditions... and he's loving it."
Other friends, like Leslie Pender, planned to carry another Darby trademark during the mountain trek: a $2 bill.
Pender said she knew Darby's spirit would help the group along on their journey.
"He's still going to be there," she said. "We may have this physical void of him not being in line and being there at dinner but he will be there."
Betsy Welch, another close friend of Mike Darby, said she expected special moments along the journey up the mountain to remind her of the man known for his positive attitude.
"He loved Broadway songs," she explained. "We'd just be walking and he'd just start belting out a song. That's what I will think about when I climb."
While the tragedy still remains as a painful occurrence this year for the friends, they know the Mount Kilimanjaro climb will be an important moment for them to come together.
"The tougher something was, the more Mike loved it," Rodrigues said. "I think this event has Mike Darby written all over it."
Group members are leaving for Africa this week and plan to start their journey up Mount Kilimanjaro next Monday.
According to their schedule, they will reach the mountain's summit by July 9th.
While the group won't be able to leave any mementos for Darby at the summit due to mountain rules, Rodrigues told 41 Action News that the adventure would serve as a special way to honor him.
"Everything that you say or do in somebody's memory is a reminder that they live on," she said.
To donate to Mike Darby's Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Team in Training group, visit this link.
