Climbing Kilimanjaro - The diary extracts (part 1)!

It’s been two weeks since I returned from my Kilimanjaro climb and it’s taken me that long to recover. To be honest I still haven’t. For starters, look how ill I was!

To those looking in it was only 10 days and my friends and family probably don’t understand why I’m acting all peculiar and haven’t been in touch yet.

But to me (and I suspect my fellow team members) it feels as if it’s been more like 10 months. I have this odd feeling of claustrophobia when indoors; I’m still existing on African time, waking up at stupid o’clock and ready for my bed by 7pm; and being separated from my team mates is……….pants!

When I initially signed up to climb Kili a year ago, it was something I had always wanted to do – a ‘bucket list’ item that I could cross off whilst also raise some badly needed money for Sparks – a children’s medical research charity responsible for funding the medical technology and knowledge that saved my mechanic Paul’s premature baby’s life. But no amount of research and training could have prepared me for the incredible journey and challenges I actually faced, and I’m struggling to put into words how I feel.

Throughout the expedition, the technology allowed me to post periodic brief updates on both my Blog and on Twitter on how we were getting on (see previous posts). But to try to describe the whole experience, not to mention the highs and lows and the laughter and tears, I have decided to share with you some extracts from my personal diary.

Although we have returned, we are still actively fund raising until mid-March. I have almost reached my target, so as you read my diary, please also consider donating just a couple of pounds to a worthy cause and help me achieve the £4,000 needed. Thank you so much.

Thursday 3rd February

8.20am Our gas boiler broke down last night so I had to strip wash this morning. Good practice I guess but not the best of starts. I’m starting to panic now. I haven’t slept properly for the last 3 nights, I don’t feel ready, and am worried I’m not fit enough. I wish I’d done more training.

11.10am Picked up Sarah and Nicole and then met the remaining South-West teamsters at my garage at 11.00am. My partner Paul then drove us by minibus to Heathrow. I’m dreading saying goodbye to him.

4.30pm Met Rupinda, Fiona and our trek leader (and doctor) Kirsty. We are complete! Gobsmacked my bag checked in at only 15.2Kg - that wouldn;t happen on holiday! David and I set off the metal detectors going through airport security. It’s easy to explain my bionic feet to UK officials, but I wonder what it’ll be like in Africa? I then waited for Sarah who got selected for a full body scan. Only someone like Sarah could be thrilled at this prospect! Seen some lovely shoes in one of the airport boutique shops. Tempted. Waiting to board.

3.15am (African time) Grrr can’t sleep!! Just watched The Social Network. Loved it, despite the crap oversized headphones. It seems like everyone can manage to sleep on a plane except me! Think I’ll give Wallstreet 2 a go.

Friday 4th February

7am Dave and Sarah have just encountered the most miserable jobs-worth of a so-called official at visa control. He’s quite clearly on the take. Dave was having none of it though. Welcome to Nairobi!

1.20pm Having the most amazing bus journey across Kenya and Tanzania. The border was great fun – Pete (our driver) beckoned us all off the bus on the Kenyan side to complete departure visas, then back on the bus, a 200 yard drive to the next building, then back off the bus to complete the Tanzanian entry visas, then back on the bus. The Tanzanian official told me how much he loved my passport - it’s the new style British one. He was very friendly and had a lovely smile. So much better than that idiot Dave & Sarah encountered at the airport - and I bet his day goes quicker too because of it! I feel great! The veggie ‘ham’ sandwiches were a bit of a let down though!

4.00pm Arrived early at our hotel in Arusha – a different one to the one we were supposed to be in apparently. Nice all the same. The bedroom’s amazing! Sharing with Tracey – we opened the door, giggled at such luxury, then took a photo of it: Two double beds and the size of my kitchen, lounge and dining room combined! Shower (an incredibly long one if I get my way!), dinner, then sleep me thinks..........hopes!

To be continued...

www.justgiving.com/jennifer-riach

It's not too late! I'm only 8% away from reaching my fund raising target - just a couple of £s from each person reading this will help me achieve it.

Kili: Returning home - Saturday

Travelled from Arusha,Tanzania to Nairobi for out final overnight flight home. We had dinner together at the airport and, in turn, shared our highs, lows and funny moments.  A perfect way to end our journey.

Arriving at Heathrow at 5.30am we were welcomed at arrivals by some of David's family, my partner Paul, and Tracey's husband and daughter. Paul had also brought a bottle of champagne which we immediately sunk before boarding the minibus for our final journey back to Exeter.

Team Kili are home! Sleep and reflection now :)

Kili: Our final descent - Thursday/Friday

We began our descent of Kilo back to Kibo Camp using a technique called "bombing" - it's like skiing down the scree just using your walking boots, digging your heels in as brakes. Great fun & only took 1.5 hrs to reach camp....and I now how leg muscles made of steel!

Packed up our bags at Kibo & then headed for Horombo Camp on the Marangu Route overnight, some 16 hours after commencing our summit climb!

The next morning we exchanged songs with our local trek porters, and presented them with gifts of money and unwanted clothing.  We then trekked through the jungle to the finish at Kili's National Park border control where we received a certificate & got our passports stamped.

Now at the Impala Hotel in Arusha, Tanzania (enjoying fresh running water & a real bed!) then it's an overnight flight back to the UK arriving Sat (tomorrow) at Heathrow at 6am.

Kili Summit Day - Wednesday

Suffered all day with altitude sickness. Skipped lunch & only forced a little soup down for dinner.

Our trek leader's a doctor so I've been in good hands. As we ascended Kili through the night on Tuesday I ended up having steroids, a multitude of drugs, and an anti-sickness jab (in my rear end!!). In the end I threw it all up and ended up totally dehydrated without any energy. I heard one team member describing me as lifeless, like a ghost walking behind the trek leader. I was also suffering from sleep deprivation and mountain sickness and I nearly fell a couple of times as I fell asleep whilst walking, and was only saved by my fellow team mates.

All the team have suffered both physically and mentally. It was sheer drive and determination that got us up there. I have never experienced anything so challenging in all my life. I may look as ill as I felt in this photo. But guess what? I did it. We did it. :)

Day 4 Kili Ascent - Tuesday

Heading for Base Camp "Kibo". Then a few hours rest before our summit climb during the night. That's 7 hours climbing, but 16 hours in total climbing & descending again before we reach our final camp.
I feel really sick and the headaches are constant. The water tastes vile and I've lost my appetite. Looks like it's my turn to feel what altitude sickness is like. Fingers crossed and God willing I make it.

Day 3 Kili Ascent - Monday

Day 3 climbing to Mawenzi Tarn Camp at 4,280m altitude, then a practice high altitude climb up to the Mawenzi summit - and then back down again through the scree in an hour! :-/
Some team members have started to feel the affects of altitude sickness. In fact at present I appear to be the only one who isn't suffering at all although the lack of sleep at night is starting to get me down. I'm exhausted and I'm worried it will hit me all at once at some point.

Day 2 Kili Ascent - Sunday

>
> Climbing to 3,750m altitude to Kikelwa Camp & all teamsters are doing really well! The weather's fabulous and the food's wonderful. The only downside? Hmmm, the Ladies powder room could do with a spruce up! ;)

Day 1 Kili Ascent - Saturday

Team Kili

Setting off Day 1 Kili ascent from Naremaru Gate at 1,950m along the Northern Rongai Route to our first camp, Simba Camp at 2,650m altitude. 

Outward bound to Kili...via a civilised hot beverage and a rather nice hotel :)

Well well, I am finally able to Blog about my climbing Mt Kilimanajro challenge...live as it happens! This is of course subject to the technology working and my laptop and iPhone batteries and chargers behaving themselves!

Alas I don't appear to be able to post photos to my Blog so you'll have to also keep an eye on my Twitter profile (to the right of this Blog) to have a look at some I post there (and just in case I end up only able to text).

So us South-West Kili Teamsters all met up yesterday at the garage and set off at 11.15am to a wonderful send-off by everyone's friends and family . Lots of tears and hankies were passed! I saved my tears for Heathrow as my partner Paul drove us up there the minibus, despite his bad back < Thanks babe > It was like going on a school outing for the day.

After a leisurely beverage at Heathrow check-in, we finally met up with our other team members and, aside from David (Bluegrass Computer Services) and I setting off the metal detectors and Sarah (Sarah West Recuitment) suddenly being swiftly taken off for a body scan, the rest of our time at Heathrow was uneventful! ;)

We landed in Nairobi at 6am local time (3am UK time) and after having to deal with an extremely rude and corrupt little visa official, we met up with Pete our minibus driver in Africa, who drove us across Kenya and over the Tanzanian border.

It was at this point that we all saw Kili in the distance. She's awesome. And much taller than we thought! Her summit was covered in snow too.

We then checked into our hotel, having been upgraded to a hotel with bedrooms larger then my lounge, dining room and kitchen all in together!

It's reality time now - Kili Ascent Day 1 tomorrow. Night all!

Jennifer is currently out of the office......Climbing Kilimanjaro!

I've not been updating my Blog recently....I've been busy! How so? Well, just in case you haven't guessed it from my the title, I am about to embark on the biggest challenge of my life, climbing Kilimanjaro in aid of SPARKS (Childrens Medical Research) Charity.

I've previously written about my reasons for deciding to complete this challenge (which you can read here: Kili Blog and here Kili Support Page ). So, having just finished packing (you don't want to know!), I am now taking time to reflect on recent weeks and the fantastic support I have received from my friends, family, my team at MECA, local sport and business sponsors, and of course my lovely customers and suppliers - all who have been brilliant!

My main sponsors are these lovely people, who I will also be thanking in my own unique way through little personal messages I've had printed on my clothing (thanks you Quick Print)....there'll be a different one each day of my climb. You'll have to keep checking in on my Blog or get the local Express and Echo paper to see the story unfold :0)

This is the penaltimate day before we set off. I meet my fellow South West Team members at my garage at 11.00am tomorrow morning, then head to Heathrow in our Team Kili minibus to join the rest of our team, before flying out to Nairobi that evening. I am thinking about each team member right now, the individual and joint support they have given me, how they must feeling right now, and the experience we are about to share together. I love these guys. You can read more about them all here Express and Echo article .

Technology willing, I plan to update my Blog as much as possible throughout the actual 6-day climb. There are several routes by which to climb Kilil, namely Marangu, Rongai, Lemosho, Shira, Umbwe and Machame.  Our ascent will follow the Rongai route, lasting 4.5 days. The last element of this climb is at night, in the snow with just headlamps, in around -15C conditions. Hopefully though, we'll reach Kili's summit in time for sunrise. For the decent we follow the Marangu route which allows us the chance to see a different part of Kilimanjaro, albeit at an incredible 1.5 day pace. I have been reliably informed the locals wait at the bottom with cases of beer to sell.......let me assure you that this image will be in my head and the only thing keeping me going as we descend! ;)Now, back to reality of today and to my wonderful partner, Paul, who has been so supportive whilst I've trained and prepared for this challenge - and reached stress levels I didn't think were possible to reach! My love and time until we leave is now totally devoted to him.

Oh....apart from the boiler to fix that broke down today, else it's a cold shower for me in the morning! :)