FEATURE Charity Climb


Barbara Bailey and Doreen Thorogood reach for the African skies


With shouts of ‘kwaheri' - goodbye - we were off.


Nicknamed 'The Dream Team' by our chief guide Obote, our group set off on 8 August, the 5,890m summit of Africa's highest mountain, Kilimanjaro, our goal.


A two hour drive took us to the start at Rongai Gate, 1,800m. There were lots of smiles, waving and thumbs up. We both


believe how they managed to carry and prepare all this food. In bed by 9pm listening to the deep hum of African voices and hoping for a good night’s sleep.


An early start on Monday and


another 1000m of ascent with a stop for a cooked lunch in the mess tent and then a rest before continuing up to Kikelewa Caves for our second night. This was a long, dusty and steep climb and we suddenly realised just how high we were when we were looking back down onto the tops of the clouds - amazing.


Again it was overcast, so the top of Kilimanjaro was still hiding itself from us. We were both beginning to have slight affects from the altitude; headaches and tiredness. It was good to have a lunch stop and the opportunity to rest in the afternoon until we heard the sound of Obote’s deep voice saying ‘twende’ – let’s go.


felt apprehensive but keen to get started. The day was clear but overcast, a relief as this gave some protection from the strong sun.


-It was a steady walk, a fairly gentle rise initially through forest, where we saw Colobus and Blue monkeys in the nearby trees. We had a picnic lunch stop on the way. Lots of chatting and getting to know each other and all of us being amazed by the porters, who carry up to 20kg on their heads and backs, as they hurried passed us with their heavy loads whilst we followed on, ‘poli, poli’ slowly, slowly. The path slowly steepened and opened up into heathland as we kept on going until we reached our first stop on the mountain, Simba Camp.


Before dinner there was a bowl for our ‘washy, washy’ – a ‘spit and lick’. We had a great dinner in the mess tent – we couldn’t


4


The clouds lifted in the evening and this meant we had a wonderful view of the stars in their millions – it was breath taking. Off to bed, again around 9pm both of us feeling very tired.


Up early Tuesday and not having slept too well – lots of visits to the loo tent - a construction with a sanitized bucket and a wooden stool like object over the top with a hole in – interesting and tricky to manoeuvre; would it topple over at the crucial moment? But that’s enough information.


Our appetites had diminished and it was hard to eat breakfast today. This was a long and difficult day, feeling tired and unwell but today the clouds had cleared and seeing the top of Kilimanjaro over our right shoulders was truly awesome. We were flagging today but with a lot of encouragement from our group and the very patient guides we eventually arrived


at Mawenzi Tarn.


Unfortunately we had a very bad night and on Wednesday morning after Obote came to see us this was where the challenge to reach the top sadly had to end for us, as we both had altitude sickness and our guide said we must go down - and we didn't feel like arguing with him!


Altitude sickness is very unpleasant. However, we did get to 4700 metres which is approximately the height of four Snowdons. Going back down was a challenge in itself as it took us 9 hours with a guide and two porters. A difficult day.


The whole experience, right from our first thoughts about doing this challenge, has been very special. We have met and spoken to so many people and have been touched by the stories of their own personal loss that they have chosen to share with us. Our time in Tanzania was particularly wonderful because of the kindness, politeness and gentleness of all the people we met there.


It is good to be back home and we will never forget this amazing experience. We are so grateful to everyone who sent us good wishes and supported this venture. You can see on our fund raising site: www.justgiving.com/gokili the tremendous amount raised for Greenwich Cruse, for which we are very grateful. If anyone out there would still like to make a donation then please do - it is for a great cause that does wonderful work for those who need our support during bereavement. As they say in Tanzania ‘Asanta Sana’ – Thank you very much.


SEnine ... listening to your views


SEnine


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