The Mwalimu Nyerere/Mt. Kilimanjaro Charity Climb 2011 (post 12 of 15)

Monday 26th September 2011
The entire group of climbers heading to the summit was quite large, probably as much as 100 if you add those joining from the Marangu "Coca-Cola" route. At times we had 'traffic jams', slowing down to a standstill. Frequent stops has been a problem that I have yet to find a solution for. My heart cannot effectively handle the pressure of the frequent stoppages and the resumption of walking at high altitudes. My legs, thanks to the cycling exercise, are coping extremely well.

At a certain point during the night trek Jim Whitney, the cameraman and co-filmmaker, was behind me and when I asked him whether he wanted to walk ahead said he would remain behind because he preferred my pace. A few minutes later, when the group ahead stopped for a rest I sneaked through and walked ahead with Pantaleo, the cook with whom I camped at the Crater Camp on my first climb in 2008. Yahoo had asked Pantaleo to accompany us to the summit as one of the assistant guides.

I thought we made good progress through the night but the trek to Stella Point was not as smooth as I would have wanted. It wasn't extremely cold; I did not even wear the heavy pair of gloves.

Although ahead with Pantaleo, the rest of the group was not far behind and our arrival at Stella Point was separated, at most, by ten minutes. I am getting old.

Jim Whitney who walked ahead to film the group's arrival at Stella Point was surprised to see me and said: "How did this happen?" The only person missing was Zulfa who I learnt had remained behind with Yahoo, but was still very much in the running.

"How did this happen?" At Stella Point, Jim Whitney, right, films the approaching group.

A panoramic view from Stella Point.

Andrea is a force of nature. She does not appear to lack energy at any moment and has maintained both a physical and mental vitality that is rare among first-time climbers. When most people seem to be gasping for oxygen you will hear her humming some Swiss ballad.

At the summit.

At the summit, I thank Pantaleo, right, for leading me through.

The trek back to Barafu Camp remains, for me, physically painful. I have yet to find a technique for descending effortlessly on a fine soft sand surface. I prefer rough rocky terrain.

Next: Two women guides

Related posts:
http://blogkili.blogspot.com/2012/03/the-mwalimu-nyereremt-kilimanjaro_12.html

The Mwalimu Nyerere/Mt. Kilimanjaro Charity Climb 2011 (post 11 of 15)

Sunday 25th September 2011
I have noted that the trek between Karanga and Barafu Camp is when I discover my physical strength. I feel pretty strong.

On the way to Barafu Yahoo, extreme left, watches over the group during a short break as a porter, right, walks past

During last night's briefing Yahoo, the lead guide, said he noted that we are all in pretty good shape and, with the pace he has set, he is certain we will all reach the peak. I wasn't convinced.

The rangers' hut at Barafu, Mt. Kilimanjaro's base camp.

I had planned with yahoo that we should leave Barafu Camp for the summit at thirty minutes past eleven, but we left well after midnight.

Next: Andrea is a force of nature

Related post:
http://blogkili.blogspot.com/2012/03/the-mwalimu-nyereremt-kilimanjaro_11.html
http://blogkili.blogspot.com/2012/03/the-mwalimu-nyereremt-kilimanjaro_6807.html

The Mwalimu Nyerere/Mt. Kilimanjaro Charity Climb 2011 (post 10 of 15)

Saturday 24th September 2011

Innocent, the young assistant guide, appeared to me to be more interested in maintaining his "cool" demeanour - he has a preference for using the word "cool" in conversation - than in doing his work.

Morning at Barranco camp, before departing for Karanga Camp.

I pointed out at the bottom of the 'breakfast climb', the steep climb of the day from Barranco Camp towards Karanga, that one of the guides should stay close behind Jim Becket in case he needed support through the difficult sections. Innocent would do so for a while but he frequently had to be reminded by Hamisi, the other assistant guide with whom we climbed together during my first Kilimanjaro climb in 2007 - or by Yahoo.

On arrival at Karanga Camp we caught a glimpse of Kibo peak.

Yahoo's professionalism came out clearly today, particularly by the gentle pace he forced on the entire group, having taken the lead from Hamisi, who led us yesterday.

Next: I feel pretty strong

Related posts:
http://blogkili.blogspot.com/2012/03/the-mwalimu-nyereremt-kilimanjaro_7.html
http://blogkili.blogspot.com/2012/03/the-mwalimu-nyereremt-kilimanjaro_12.html

The challenge

In late January I was in Morogoro to attend a non-title professional boxing match between Francis Cheka and Karama Nyilawila. Cheka won the match on points.

As I waited for the preliminary bouts to begin, the challenge in my mind was focused on the Uluguru Mountains in the background.

My interest in climbing mountains is not restricted to Mt. Kilimanjaro only. I kept mentally charting routes on the mountains and wondering how a climber could get to the peak. And where was the peak?

Sent from Samsung Mobile

The Mwalimu Nyerere/Mt. Kilimanjaro Charity Climb (post 9 of 15)

Friday 23 September 2011
The trek from Shira 2 to Barranco Camp was interrupted by one interview with Jaffar in which, in response to a question, he said I am a celebrity journalist. When Jim Becket asked me to define one I said: "It is someone who has no formal training as a journalist but I happen to have a regular weekly column and when the stars are aligned favourably I manage to write some good articles."



We had a lunch stop just before reaching Lava Tower. It either rained or snowed most of the way.

The after-lunch smiles.

Snow at Lava Tower.

After lunch Steve Kamau began to bleed through the nose and I thought that was cause for serious concern. When we stopped for a short rest at Lava Tower, I sought Yahoo's assessment and he said they will monitor Steve's condition. If the condition worsens, he would have to descend. He did not bleed again.

At dinner, Innocent, one of the assistant guides, suggested to Steve that should the bleeding resume he should avoid blowing his nose but instead soak the flow with tissue.

Next: Yahoo, a true professional

Related posts:
http://blogkili.blogspot.com/2012/02/the-mwalimu-nyereremt-kilimanjaro.html
http://blogkili.blogspot.com/2012/03/the-mwalimu-nyereremt-kilimanjaro_11.html

The Mwalimu Nyerere/Mt. Kilimanjaro Charity Climb 2011 (post 8 of 15)

Thursday 22 September 2011
Kibo peak bared itself in the morning, before sunrise. It was freezing cold with frost on the ground.

The trek to the next camp, Shira 2, was uneventful. This trek on the Shira Plateau is by far the easiest on the Lemosho route.

Jim Becket is trying to engage all of us in conversation. I am having difficulties catching my breath and walking at the same time.

On arrival at Shira 2 it began to rain, alternating with a mild hailstorm for over an hour.

We had French fries on our lunch menu and everyone, including Zulfa who has difficulty eating some dishes, was excited and pleased.

Some sunshine broke through before sunset and revealed a spectacular view of the Shira Hills.

The short trek uphill for acclimatization was canceled by Yahoo because of unfavourable weather. I didn't complain. A rest was in order.

Next: some cause for serious concern

Related post:
http://blogkili.blogspot.com/2012/02/the-mwalimu-nyereremt-kilimanjaro_23.html
http://blogkili.blogspot.com/2012/03/the-mwalimu-nyereremt-kilimanjaro_7.html

The Mwalimu Nyerere/Mt. Kilimanjaro Charity Climb 2011 (post 7 of 15)

Wednesday 21 September 2011
The pace was commendable and I went through the 'Seven Hills' section with much less effort compared to past climbs, but I felt a latent fatigue and some stress on my chest. Something didn't feel right. And yet, I was more worried for Jim Becket and Zulfa, who was not eating enough food and drinking enough water.

The protea flower is prevalent only on the 'Seven Hill' section on the Lemosho route

Jaffar appeared more confident and talked throughout most of the sections. Jim Whitney trailed behind to shoot scenes with his camera.

At a midway point on the 'Seven Hills' climb we stopped for lunch and I was later interviewed for Jim Becket's documentary.

As Jim Becket (left) stops to observe the valley below, Steve Kamau (right) steps up to a higher vantage point.

Everyone seemed to cope well.

Next: A glimpse of Kibo peak

Related posts:
http://blogkili.blogspot.com/2012/01/the-mwalimu-nyereremt-kilimanjaro.html
http://blogkili.blogspot.com/2012/02/the-mwalimu-nyereremt-kilimanjaro.html