Well, we did it!!! What an experience!
Having been back now for two weeks, we are just about recovered for our Challenge. The whole experience, the long flights, the camping on a mountain, eating in mess tents, the altitude, AND the actual climb was jolly hard work. Don't think I have ever done anything so hard in my life. Plus the fact that my tummy didn't seem to like the food that we were served, which didn't help my energy levels.....I will leave the rest to your imagination!
We left the UK on Thursday 3rd December and flew from Heathrow to Niarobi. We then got on a pretty small plane and flew into Kilimanjaro. On the flight we could see the mountain looming above the clouds, a magnificent sight. We arrived at the hotel about lunchtime on the Friday and had a quick briefing, evening meal and early to bed.
On the Saturday morning we were taken to the gates of the park where we signed in and got introduced to all the guides and porters who were going to help us with the climb. We had a team of about 90 looking after us!
We walked each day for about 5-6 hours. After a rest we would then have another couple of hours climb to help us aclimatise. The altitude made the walking ever more difficult. We couldn't believe how slowly you had to walk to try and keep your breath. If you tried to go a bit faster, you were soon gasping for air and having to slow right down!
On the Wednesday we arrived at camp mid afternoon. Everyone was getting excited about the summit climb which was due to start at midnight. We went to bed to try and get some sleep. We were woken at 11.30pm to get on all our layers of clothing, mittens, our head tourchs etc on. Then we set off for the climb. It was a continual climb, zig zagging across the mountain side to slowly reach the summit. It was a real struggle and we had to stay so focussed to ensure we made it.
When we made it to Gilmans point, my energy had totally gone. (5 days of not being able to keep food down was taking it's toll!). I decided I had done what I could and with other members of the team, we started our decent.
Other members of our team, including my friend Ann decided to go the extra bit and made it to the highest point on the summit itself. That was an extra special achievement for Ann. The walk down was not that easy either. At least we knew he had doen the really hard part, and as the altitude got less, our breathing became a lot easier. Once we got back to camp on the Thursday, we had about an hour to pack up and then another 6 hour walk to get to a lower camp where we could camp safely. We couldn't stay at the high altitude for 2 nights as that would have made us all very poorly.
Friday say another 6 hour walk through the rain forest and back to the gate where we were signed out. We said our goodbyes to the guides and then went to a lovely hotel for a shower, that was bliss!!
We had a celebratory meal that night and a few drinks.
Saturday saw us return to Nairobi and then the long flight to London, arriving about 6am Sunday morning.
Again, I would like to thank you all for your generous support. With other cheques that I have been fortunate to receive, one from BUPA for £2,000, we have smashed our target for Willen which is fantastic!
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