Updates

Day 8 Wednesday 18 March 2009:-
Transfer to Kilimanjaro Airport.  On our way home!!!

Day 7 Tuesday 17 March 2009:-
18k 6 - 7 hours Steady descent down through moorland to Mandara Hut (2,700m.) on the Marangu route. Through forest to National Park gate at Marangu (1,830 m.).
Springlands Hotel in Moshi overnight.

Day 6 Monday 16 March 2009:-
KIBO Hut to Summit 10-11k 10-11 hours.  Steep climb by torchlight in darkness over loose volcanic scree to crater rim at Gillman's Point 5,685m (18650ft). 
Descend to Kibo 4,750m (15580ft )and to Horombo Campsite 3,720m (12200ft).

Early morning update from Sharon

THEY MADE IT!!!They all reached the summit at 8am this morning after a long hard slog. It sounds horrific hard work and very emotional for dad but the guides really set the right pace and none of them were ill at all. Andy completely shattered, Phil sounded completely normal and dad said he was feeling physically fine, absolutely incredible since, statstically, only 1 of them should have got there . They were on their way down when I spoke to them at 10am and the plan is to stop at Kibo again for breakfast then walk again to get down a big chunk of the mountain.

Mid morning sat phone update from David

Went to bed at around 7 to be woken at 11 but the anticipation was such that we just tossed and turned for three hours.  We set off at 1145 blessed with some of the best weather they've probably had here this year.  The temperature was 0 or plus 1 or 2 when we were expecting possibly -15.  A very slow walk up.  Took 8 hours to reach the very summit.  We celebrated with lots of photos and some of Richard Ecclestons Sloe Gin.  Then 4 hours to come back down and we're now at Kibo Hut absolutely exhausted, having lunch.  We have a 3 hour walk ahead of us to tonights Camp and really all we want to do is put our heads down and get some kip and clean our teeth and stuff.  But we did it and we are very proud of ourselves.  The view from the top was unbelievable and to watch the sunrise was very emotional.

(At this point either the sat phone signal or Davids voice went wobbly and the call went quiet. TJ.)

Day 5 Sunday 15 March 2009:-
7k 3-4 hours. Cross the lunar desert of the 'Saddle' between Mawenzi and Kibo.
Kibo Campsite 4,750m (15580ft) at bottom of Kibo crater wall.

Sunday lunchtime sat phone update from David

Just arrived at Kibo hut where some of the other trails merge just before the summit.  There are quite a few other climbers here ready for the summit attempt tomorrow.  The climb has been tougher this morning with the pace down to 30 steps per minute on the steeper bits to conserve energy.  All feeling light headed, dizzy and with negative thoughts about whether this is the onset of altitude sickness and will we be able to go on but feel OK now we are here on schedule and had a few minutes to get used to the altitude.  I have been on my own in a tent at the end of the campsite most nights as apparently I snore!!!  So I have not been as cosy as I had hoped despite thermals, fleeces, woolly hat and gloves.  Definitely no shared bodily warmth!  Weather is good with the mornings sunny but the cloud comes in during the afternoon.  The nights are clear and cold with a layer of frost over everything this morning.  This afternoon we go for our acclimatisation climb before getting an early night here at Kibo prior to the summit push.  We start at midnight and will do the best we can so hopefully we will be on top for sunrise.  When you hear from us again we will be at Kibo Camp on the way down whether we got to the top or not!

Day 4 Saturday 14 March 2009:-
Steep climb 5k 3-4 hours, grassy slopes.

3rd Cave Campsite 4,330m (14,206ft)

Saturday mornings update from Sharon.

Got a call from the mountain this morning and an update on yesterday. As we knew they were going to climb a bit higher and then descend to sleep, well they did that in the pouring rain and got soaked!  It seems their waterproofs are not holding up to the onslaught of Tanzanian rain - not surprising I have to say.  They then had to sleep in the rain and said the water was rushing underneath the tents till the guides / porters got up in the middle of the night to dig trenches to run the water off.  This morning the sun had come out a bit so they were hoping some things would dry out.  On the plus side they ate with the porters and guides last night and had a good time.  The aclimatisation walk helped them feel better and tomorrow I gather they are walking across the "saddle". Phil is reasonably convincing its a "great adventure" and he and Andy are certainly enjoying "Beard Watch" having never seen dad with any stubble let alone anything approaching facial hair!

Midday update on the Sat Phone from David.

In good spirits ascending to 4570m (15000ft) then back down to Camp 3 at 4330m  (14,206ft).  Weather is cloudy, dry and warm.  Walking at 60 steps per minute to keep heart rates and breathing stable.  Seems slow but after several hours we get where we want to be without feeling exhausted.  Bed at 1900 and breakfast at 0800 gives good recovery time but we feel dizzy until we've eaten then we are good to go!

Day 3 Friday 13 March 2009:-  Interim report from Phil on the Sat Phone to Sharon.  Hi Trevor, just spoken to Phil on the satellite phone and they are all ok.  Reached 3650m, (12,000ft) and started to feel a little dizzy, sick and short of breath, with a few pins and needles thrown in. Only 8,000ft  (2400m) still to go!  Plan for today is to climb another 200m (650ft) to acclimatise then come back down to rest and sleep.  I gather the terrain is a bit rocky like Snowdon but still not too bad for walking.  Food and tents good which is a bonus as think the weather is a bit inclement!

2nd Caves Campsite 3600m (11870ft)

Day 2 Thursday 12 March 2009:-  This report direct from David via Satellite Phone!
The day started with a local dispute amongst the Porters over who was to carry our gear, resulting in a fight which the Police were called to resolved!  Then a drive to Rongai Gate in Monsoon rain during which a near miss with a truck on washed out roads left our vehicle with one wheel over a  precipitous drop! Just recovered with rope around the axle and lots of pulling.  One more slip and all our gear would have gone over the edge!  Climb from Nale Moru 1,950 m (6390 ft).  6k walk on small path through maize and potatoes to pine forest. Climb through forest with Kilimanjaro Colobus monkey.
Now at 1st Caves campsite at edge of moorland zone 2,600m (8530ft).  It's pitch black so sadly no views.

Day 1 Wednesday 11 March 2009:-

We were waved off by the departure committee, Sharon and one very bewildered Henry.  Arrived at Kilimanjaro Airport.  Transferred to Springlands Hotel for overnight.  Unfortunately we're having to deal with a harsh environment even on the first night as we are all sleeping in the same room and there's no Air Conditioning!

Click here for photos.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/10292845@N00/sets/72157615068135619/detail/

Pre Climb Activities 10 March 2009:-

Arrived safely in Dar Es salaam with good weather.  Enjoyed the beach and a refreshing swim. Equipment checks and packing now complete. The weather has turned and is raining quite heavily, lets hope a brief shower and not an early  start to rainy season.  Tomorrow we fly north to meet the guides for briefing.  There is a degree of eager anticipation, trepidation and fear of not reaching our goal, either through bad weather or Altitude sickness.

Looks like the British High Commission in Dar Es Salaam are going to lend us a sat phone so maybe we will succeed  where the celebrities seem to be failing. 

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Why are we doing this?

Since losing my beloved Angela last March we have been looking at ways to raise much needed funds for the hospice who gave us so much support.  Johannes Gaertner, a German writer and philosopher once said; To speak gratitude is courteous and pleasant, to enact gratitude is generous and noble, but to live gratitude is to touch heaven.

What are we doing that is deserving of your donation?

Together with Andrew, my son, and Philip, my son in law, we are going to attempt an ascent of Mount Kilimanjaro in March. Yes many have gone before, and statistically many fail to reach the summit.  Our objective is to follow a route away from the commercial trails, a route only used by 150 people out of the 20,000 who trekked this national park last year.  Our hope is that this added dimension will stimulate your interest in following our progress and in giving us your support.

Which Charity are we benefiting?

The cost of the trip is being entirely funded by ourselves, and every penny donated will be retained by the Shakespeare Hospice Stratford Upon Avon.

www.shakespearehospice.org.uk

About the Mountain

At 19,340 feet Kilimanjaro is the tallest mountain in Africa and the world's highest free standing mountain.  Kilimanjaro is located 200 miles south of the equator and stands on Tanzania's northern border with Kenya.  Last year approximatley 20,000 people attempted this climb, and each climber can expect to cover a distance of about 60 miles and drink more than 35 Ltrs of water during the 4/5 day ascent and 2 day descent.

The most challenging aspects of the climb

                              Altitude sickness

This represents the biggest health risk on the mountain and is by far the most significant contributor in not reaching the summit.  The better your acclimatisation to altitude the greater your chances are of success.  We will be a adopting the principle of trekking high and sleeping low. Much against my normal principles, being reluctant to give up height you may have struggled to achieve all day.

                            Cold and Fatigue

Top of our Christmas list this year has beenThermal underwear, or as it's now called 'Base layers' . In referencing various accounts of recent climbs I have found that it's advisable to wear 2 or 3 base layers before tops, fleeces, and Polar Jackets.  I'm sure we will look like Mr Blobby or Michelin men, but who cares with day temperatures on the lower slopes of 85 -90  but during the nights, and on the final day of the ascent we can expect minus 10-15.  Warmth is therefore essential in maintaining stamina.

               The final ascent in pre-dawn darkness

Most groups will start for the summit on the final day of ascent at 1am.  Depending on the weather, the route, and the fitness of the group, the aim is to reach the top in time to see the sun rise. A few quick pictures is all we will have time for before we start our descent.  This is by far the longest  and most difficult aspect of the climb.

If we are successful it will have taken 15 hours to reach the summit and return to camp before completing our descent the following day.

If you have taken the trouble to read thus far, thank you. I hope you will feel our quest is worthy, and I hope you feel able to help us to reach our target.

David, Andrew and Philip