UPDATE: at 4:20 UK time on March 22 2007, I reached Uhuru Peak: the highest point in the African Continent 

*****

THIS EVENT WILL NOW BE HELD BETWEEN MARCH 16th and 25th 2007

*****

Thank you for visiting my fundraising page. Please dig deep and sponsor me online.

In March 2007 I will be standing at the highest point on the African continent, by trekking the legendary Kilimanjaro to raise funds for the Anthony Nolan Trust and the fight against leukaemia.

There are several reasons why I decided to take part to this challenge.  I am a register bone-marrow donor as leukaemia has affected the lives of some very close friends of mine and/or their families; being a Tabler for the past four years, I have fundraised as part of a team for good local causes. So, when I saw the advert in the Round Table Magazine, I just knew that I wanted to do this.

Deciding to taking part to this meant I had to go back to fitness (of which I forgot the meaning 12 years ago) - so everyone is a winner!!!

Below, I have tried to give a small insight to the challenge ahead.  

Day 1: Leave London for Kilimanjaro airport. Day 2: Arrive and transfer to Moshi town and sort my kit for the next day. Day 3: Walk 5 hours. Drive from Moshi to the gate of Machame and start to climb! 1st section is a steady climb through the forest. Camp at 3100m. Day 4: Walk 4 hours continuing through forest then reach a steep ascent on to Shira Plateau. Camp at Shira Caves , 3840m. Day 5: Walk 5 hours. Walking on high moorland and the landscape changes the entire character of the trek. Camp Barranco Hut, 3900m. The day will have been spent at an altitude of 4800m, following the mountaineering code of walk high, sleep low to avoid altitude sickness by acclimatisation. Day 6: Walk 8 hours. Descend into a hug ravine. It's climb over rock, long and tiring. Pass glaciers heading towards Karanga valley our last water stop before summit, 4600m. Day 7: Walk 10-12 hours (blimey!). Early start walking steeply upwards to the summit glaciers. Climb 4 to 5 hours gaining incredible height over a short distance to the crater rim, Stella Point, 5750m. Another hour to the summit Uhuru, 5895m the highest point. Then begin the descent contouring around Gillmans point, 5861m then Kibo Hut, 4700m continuind down to Mweka camp, 3000m. Day 8: Walk 5 hours. Gentle trek down through the rainforest to Mweka gate where we end and receive a CERTIFICATE and a drive back to Moshi for a welcome shower and a few beers.

I hope this will give you a feel for my adventure ahead and I hope that my family, friends and sponsors will be proud of what I've done.

I would like to thank you all in advance and in particular Farnborough Kent Round Table and members, David & John Goldfine, The Change of Horses Public House, Clavelrowe PR, and RBI’s employees for their support.

Yours,

Mino