Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

I leave for Tanzania on 11th January and I'm going to attempt to scale Africa's highest mountain.  The route I will be taking is the Lemosho trail, over the Shira plateau, with a possible summit attempt via the Western Breach in the crater rim.

There is no plausible reason why I stand a better chance of sucess on this route with one guide and a porter, when Roman Abramovich (and his 113 strong entourage) failed.  

The question is, altitude or attitude?  What might get to me first, when faced with the only true 'death zone' on Kilimanjaro, below the Arrow glacier?  If I make it to the glacier, for that portion of the ascent, it will be me and my maker, on his terms.

Why?  Well, we all have to take some risks in life to value being alive; in corporate parlance, it is an objective risk that cannot be taken away with control measures. The likelihood is small but the impact is literal and I'm gong to give it a shot - I'll get halfway there, but for some of the way I will be living on a prayer.

It would be great if you could donate a few quid to help me along - it's not as though it's an expensive time of year - and you'll benefit a very good charity.  Why the Down's Syndrome Association?  Ask my friend Chris, or better still, his son Henry, who they support.  Unlike some Kilimanjaro climbs, I am funding all the trip myself and all the money raised here is for the charity.

Lots of love,

David