Quest Overseas - Gap Year Travel

Kilimanjaro Climb Summer 2011

If you're looking for adventure and want to try something new why not take a look at last year's group who climbed Kilimanjaro. It was an experience none of us will forget and we're all so proud we did it! I recomend it to anyone who can, you're already on Africa so why not give it a go? It was absolutely phenomenal, read the article to find out more and don't hesitate to get in contact.

Day 1 – All excited and nervous for the trek we were about to undertake we met our team (of 27!) and started to get to know our three guides Philimon aka Cha Cha (the main guide), Anderson and Moses as got driven up to Machame Gate (1800m). Giddy with excitement we waited to be allowed to enter Kilimanjaro National Park while we had the first of many delicious meals. When we set of on the Machame route we soon learnt the phrase “pole pole” meaning slowly slowly as the pace needed to be set for the days ahead so our bodies could adjust to the altitude. As we walked we were able to take in the jungle scenery (and get tired in the process!), after about 5 hours we set up camp at Machame Camp (3000m).

Day 2 – After our first night we set of for a scenic day and lots of fun clambering on rocks. That night we camped at Shira Camp (3840m) after about 4 hours walking and slept for the first time in below freezing temperatures – thank God for our warm sleeping bags and layers!

Day 3 – We awoke to dramatic views of frost covered mountains and chilly hands and faces, but the air quickly warmed up as we set off to Barranco Camp (3950) and some of us got down to our t-shirts! After about six and a half hours of climbing up to 4540m to acclimatise and then down we got to camp and start to see more and more Giant Groundsels (Senecio Johnstoni) which are plants endemic to Kilimanjaro that look like giant cactus leaves on top of long fury brown stems – the whole team was fascinated by them. Some signs of AMS (Acute Mountain Sickness) appeared but this did not discourage the team who were determined to get to the top!

Day 4 – Our longest trek to date. Up to Barafu Huts (4600m) we went for around seven and a half hours watching the vegetation gradually disappear until there was none left. By the time we arrived the team was tired and hungry so we quickly set up camp, had dinner and went to bed, but we still didn’t fail to notice one of the most spectacular sunsets we had ever seen! A good end to the day.

Day 5 – Today was the real test of our strength, and we all came out on top! After a mere three hours rest we got up at 11pm (still day 4!) and starting walking just before midnight, all ridiculously excited with the prospect of summiting Mount Kilimanjaro that very same day! The joyous mood however quickly waned and turning into a steely determination as we all started to feel the effects of the cold, lack of sleep and altitude. Six and a half hours later of trekking the steep hill in the dark we arrived at Stella Point (5730m) where the land leveled out and we climbed the remaining 165m to Uhuru Peak a proud 5895 AMSL, all of us considerably behind Paul who in true Paul fashion charged on ahead of us. A special thank you to Jo who egged Niroj to the top as he was feeling the altitude – well done to both of you! After the mandatory group photo we turned back incredibly proud and relieved and were delighted to run into Steph who had stayed behind – oxygen mask and all, who summited a mere half hour after us and caught up with us halfway down to Barafu Huts, at which point Niroj kept sitting down and telling us that he was fine and “you guys should just go on ahead without me”. We obviously ignored him. Another special congratulations to Katie who had trouble adjusting but never gave up and refused point blank to slow down or let anyone carry her rucksack. After being greeted like heroes at camp by the porters (who do this on a regular basis with about 15k more on their backs than us) we had lunch and set off in a bit of a haze down to Mweka Camp (3100m) which took us another five hours, everyone enjoying breathing in the wonderful thick air!

Day 6 – Our final day, everyone was feeling a mix of joy and pride but also a sadness as our Quest adventure was coming to an end, we thanked all our amazing crew and headed down the mountain. However there was not much time to dwell on these thoughts as it was getting wetter as we got further into the forest and therefore more slippery. This gave way to many laughs at the falls, although obviously nobody beat Louisa’s record who even managed to take down Paul. He was not impressed. At the bottom of Kilimanjaro we were greeted by our last delicious meal, got our certificates and sadly waved goodbye to the amazing people without whom climbing Kilimanjaro would not have been possible. On the journey back to Moshi we were able to reflect on what we had just achieved. It was hard, one of the most challenging things any of us had done, it was however, completely worth it! We also thought a lot about a very welcoming prospect – a hot shower! Jo was very please.

A massive thank you to everyone on the team, we wouldn’t have done it without each other’s support and a special thank you to Richard who bravely took on the challenge of leading a trip up Kilimanjaro on his very first climb.