The Kili Girls 2018 Challenge - WE DID IT!!!!
"After a year of planning, four intrepid local friends, Cathie, Chris, Franny (all from Cottenham) and Lenja (from Cambridge) made it to the top of Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. Walking up the tallest freestanding mountain in the world and highest peak in Africa presented us with a few challenges and an unforgettable experience that we would like to share a little with you.
Camp life
was an experience; bed tea at 6 am, a bowl of washing water (washy, washy), all
meals provided, taking down and packing up the 2 man tents and a portable loo -
our amazing porters would rush on past us to the next destination, carrying
vast amounts on their heads and backs.
Always cheerful and greeting us with Jambo (hello) or Pole Pole (slowly
slowly), as they passed. The guides walked
with us and we had a ratio of 1 guide per 2 trekkers.
Our party of 16 was cared for by a team of 64 amazing porters and guides and it was humbling to reach one of the earth’s most iconic mountains supported by such kindness from those who in our terms have so little. We had our own mess tent. Food was plentiful and nutritious for walking; porridge, eggs, bacon, toast and fruit for breakfast, excellent packed lunches and 3 course dinners, including the local dish, plantain stew on our last evening. Always lots of soup. We had to drink at least 3 litres of fluid a day to avoid dehydration and we became accustomed to spotting good rocks and shrubs to hide behind on our rest breaks! We started walking most days at around 8.30 am and finished mid afternoon. Sleep was sometimes scarce because of altitude but our tents were cozy.
On summit
night, we set off at midnight, it was really tough due to the altitude but our
guides pulled us through and we sat at dawn to watch the sun rise over the
curvature of the earth. We made it to
Stella Point and after sweet tea, set off on the final push from there, along
the crater rim to the highest point, Uhuru Peak, 5,895 metres. The temperature was around – 10 degrees C but
there was only 50% oxygen so it was difficult to breathe.
Photos
were taken, hugs and tears shared and we made our rapid descent down the scree
– it was more of a scree jog and quite exhilarating. After lunch and a rest at base camp, we
descended further to our final camp and after breakfast, were treated to a
brilliant singing celebration by our porters and guides. This was also our
chance to say thank you and we could donate kit and give tips. More hugs and tears.
Our last
day took us quickly down towards the warmth of the rainforest and we were
treated to lots of animal hoots and bird song, something that we hadn’t heard
for a while. As we signed out from
Kilimanjaro National Park for the final time, we were able to reflect on our
journey of a lifetime and of those days spent amongst companions with whom we
will share everlasting memories.
We self
funded our adventure and raised money for our chosen charities. Cathie – Cambs College RDA Group (Riding for
the Disabled), Chris – Alzheimer’s Society, Franny – MPS Society
(Mucopolysaccharidosis), Lenja – Pinpoint Cambridge. Thanks to the support and encouragement of so
many of our friends and families we were able to raise significant donations,
so would like to thank you all so much for such generosity. We are very touched that your donations are
still coming in.
Climbing
Kili was an experience that isn’t easy; at times it was uncomfortable and rather
breathless but also rewarding in more ways than we could have imagined
possible."
To make a secure donation via BT MyDonate, please click here or on the black 'BT MyDonate' logo on the left hand side of this page. Cash donations can also be made in person during RDA sessions on a Thursday evening. Thank you!
Our party of 16 was cared for by a team of 64 amazing porters and guides and it was humbling to reach one of the earth’s most iconic mountains supported by such kindness from those who in our terms have so little. We had our own mess tent. Food was plentiful and nutritious for walking; porridge, eggs, bacon, toast and fruit for breakfast, excellent packed lunches and 3 course dinners, including the local dish, plantain stew on our last evening. Always lots of soup. We had to drink at least 3 litres of fluid a day to avoid dehydration and we became accustomed to spotting good rocks and shrubs to hide behind on our rest breaks! We started walking most days at around 8.30 am and finished mid afternoon. Sleep was sometimes scarce because of altitude but our tents were cozy.
