7 days to go

After another week end of traipsing up and down the 1000 steps I am now in the final week before I depart for Africa on 1 August.   A few ‘last minute’ items have now been secured and packed – all good to go!  

I recently had contact with the trip doctor to make sure everything from a medical perspective is sorted and I was a little daunted by the doctor’s comments ….the previous trekking group (13 members) three of them failed to make it to the summit, one woman suffered severe swelling of the brain (High Altitude Cerebral Edema otherwise known as H.A.C.E.) and required rapid descent –thankfully she made a full recovery.   I didn’t need to hear that little gem...????

My itinerary as per below.....

Martin Hardy – Mount Kilimanjaro Challenge 2012 – for human rights and Amnesty International

1/8/2012      
Depart Melbourne

Via Bangkok (Thailand), Nairobi (Kenya) to Kilimanjaro International Airport – Arusha, Tanzania. http://goo.gl/maps/EQsI

2/8/2012                             
Arrive Arusha
Transfer to Hotel – rest and pre trek briefing – prepare gear for trek.

3/8/2012                             
Day 1 – Trek
Depart Arusha for Mt Kilimanjaro  http://goo.gl/maps/F0nc  
3 hour drive –by 4wd to Rongai Gate at village of NaleMoru  (alt. 1950 mts)  ) 4 hour trek
 Group of 11 trekkers plus doctor (for daily medical assessments) and porters (approximately 30)
 Trek via northern route through forest to moorland –overnight camp at Simba camp (alt. 2600 mts)

4/8/2012                             
Day 2 – Trek
Simba camp to Kikelewa camp (alt. 3800 mts) 7-9 hour trek

5/8/2012                             
Day 3 – Trek
Kikelewa camp to Mawenzi Tarn- permanent lake (alt. 4330 mts) 3-4 hour trek.
Steep climb through grassy fields to rocky terrain.

6/8/2012                             
Day 4 – Trek
Mawenzi Tarn – day of acclimatisation –remain at this altitude and undertake short walks

7/8/2012                             
Day 5 – Trek
Mawenzi Tarn to Kibo (alt. 4730 mts)   4-5 hour trek
A sparse moonlike landscape and then rest and prepare for summit ascent starting approximately 11.30 tonight

8/8/2012                             
Day 6 – Trek
Kibo camp to summit and down to Horombo Camp (alt. 5895 mts) 15-18 hour trek 
Begin summit trek at 11.30 pm –navigate narrow switchback trail by headlamp to summit.  Morning sunrise views of ice cliffs, summit crater and African plains beyond.
Descend via southern route to Horombo camp (alt. 3720 mts)   

9/8/2012                             
Day 7 – Trek
Horombo camp to Marangu (alt.1700 mts)
Vehicle return to Arusha

10/8/2012                           
Rest day
Much needed rest and WASH!!
Part company from trekking group to continue on safari

11/8/2012                           
Safari
Fly from Arusha to Serengeti National Park (Distance approx. 300 kms).   Commence safari –game reserve and overnight tent camp  http://goo.gl/maps/riYR

12/8/2012                           
Safari
Continue safari – game reserve (Serengeti) and afternoon Ngorongoro Conservation area via Maasai Boma (village) and overnight stay Ngorongoro Wildlife Lodge http://goo.gl/maps/wg1JD 

13/8/2012                           
Safari
Continue safari  - Ngorongoro Conservation area and return to Arusha.
Depart Tanzania via Nairobi and Bangkok to Melbourne.

15/8/2012                           
Return Melbourne

 Thanks again to everyone for your support and well wishes and in particular supporting Amnesty International Australia –protecting human rights.

16 days to go…

This weekend saw another 3 ½ hrs walking up and down the 1000 steps in conditions far more friendlier than last week end (see pervious post) This time I thought I would try out a new skill that I hope to build upon to capture some moving images when I am scrambling up Mt Kilimanjaro.  So out came the Ipod to give the cinematic skills a brush up!!!!!   Oh well practice never hurt anyone???

Clearly Steven Spielberg I am not……. but atleast you some idea of how beautiful green and lush the bush is at this time of year.  

Please click on the youtube link…apologies you will have to tilt you head…..

http://youtu.be/DrCQh0Cp_rg

22 days to go

Last Saturday July 7th  I resisted the urge to stay in bed...... rose very early and literally brushed the ice from the car on what turned out to be the coldest night/morning in Melbourne for about 4 years (I estimate it was about -1 in Box Hill) and travelled to the 1000 steps.    Backpack on and slowly regaining feeling in my hands I commenced what would be my PB for the steps, completing 6 circuits up/down the stairs!    I can tell you I could well and truly feel all parts of my body at the completion of this session!!!

Some facts on the Mount Kilimanjaro climb.......

Duration:                     7 days

Walking distance:       67 kms

Starting elevation:      Approximately 1950 m

Summit:                 5895 m/19340 ft 

The Summit attempt commences at about 11.30 pm from an elevation of approx 4700 m to Uhuru Peak (5895 m) and then descends to our overnight camp (3700 m/12200 ft)                                      Walking distance: 5 km ascent + 15 km descent Walking time: @ 16 hours ....and then hiking another 20 kms the following day before finishing!

30 days to go

With my fundraising completed now, it is time to concentrate on training and ensuring all my gear is ready to go.

Over the last month I have been heading up to the 1000 steps at Mount Dandenong every week end (and walking around home during the week) for some rigorous training whilst carrying full Mount Kilimanjaro pack.   2-3 hours of going up and down the steps provides excellent work out for legs and lungs. I recently discovered that the 1000 steps is actually only about 770 steps, however from the carpark to the top is about 2 ½ kms and throw in about 300 mts vertical gain represents an excellent work out.

Today I completed a practice pack to see if I can limit myself to minimum gear to ensure the least amount of weight possible.   I am allowed 1 x duffle bag and 1 x backpack – refer to photographs below…….. mission completed!!!

Mount Kilimanjaro hiking gear:  Top left to right

Duffle bag, 35 lt backpack with 4 lt camel back bladder

Dry sacks x 2, hiking long pants x 2, shorts x 1, insulated gortex jacket, gortex jacket, water proof over pants, therma rest mattress , sleeping bag.

Camera, lens, tripod and associated equipment (including spare batteries, memory cards and cleaning , power adaptor, sewing kit, various long and short t shirts, compact towel, balaclava, sun hat, headlamp (and spare batteries)

Merino jumpers x 2, underwear, compression longs/short pants, thermal longs and tops, snow gloves/inner thermal gloves, trekking poles

Hiking boots, socks, Amnesty T shirt, malaria and altitude medications, sun glasses, pass port and vaccination certificates and Kilimanjaro reference book.

Items to be included - ear plugs, ipod, toiletries, sunscreen, wet wipes, small first aid kit, inflatable pillow, leatherman tool, energy snacks and note book.

And all packed....