Kilimanjaro - Rongai Route

I thought I would add a little extra to this in the hope that it would move it up the list and inspire some of my fellow crazy people to get in touch.!

I am now 3 weeks into my very intense 12 week fitness programme and my body is coping suprisingly well. I have still to sort my kit etc. out but I reckon I still have plenty of time.

 As before I hope to hear from anyone!!

 Kate

I have just paid the outstanding balence on my holiday so there is no turning back now! Fingers crossed I hear from some of you before the trip and if not good luck with the preparations and I will see you out there.

xkx

Update again

 Ok so I have

• Vaccinations - Check
• Visa sent off - Check
• Sleeping bag, gaiters, socks ordered - Check
• Training - Slowing down bout still going!!
• Drugs chosen but not ordered - I am going for Diamox, Nurofen, Malerone and apparently caffine tablets!

Hopefully hear from others on this trip as the big climb approaches.

xkx

I'm doing this walk starting on October 27th on my own, gettinga bit worried now

Hi Mcppowe57,

I am a solo traveller aswell but i am sure everyone will be great. We are all in the same crazy situation so i am sure we will get on fine.

I am a bit worried that I am not fit enough or have the right kit but i guess we wont know till we are up there.

Hows your training going?

xkx

Oh just noticed i have the wrong date! Thats not a good start. My trip starts the 27th aswell.

xkx

Hi

Mu name is Mark Powell and I'm attempting this mountain has a tribute to my Mum who has recently passed away,(maybe too much for a 49 year old).  I have completed the UK Three Peaks twice this year but there is no amount of training that can prepare you for this challenge.  The  altitude will be the major test for all of us, so taking our time will be a major factor.

Hi mark,

I am Kate, 22, and I am also travelling alone. I was told I had to have a holiday this year and for some unknown reason this is what i am doing. I think you are right about the altitude and fitness but i am using this as a good excuse to improve my fitness and get out running and swimming more.

I have been reading on this site that people are going to/have take diamox to help with the altitude so i think i am going to give it a go.

If you can think of any little hints you have picked up in research feel free to pass them on!

Can you believe we leave 6 weeks today. Scary.

xkx

One of us will be 60 on the morning we summit.

The agregated age of us 4 (Tom, Jo Mel & Chris), is 216.

Worry not youngsters!!

I am now getting excited about the prospect of standing close to 20000 feet above sea level

We understand that there are 8 on this trip, we now know 6.

We're going for a walk tomorrow. will that help?

Oh, & a friend has lent us some kit.

Joking aside, Mel say's we have done some training, & Chris wants to now has anyone got a view on altitude drugs???

 

Ahh its good to see there are more joining us!

I am taking a wander today aswell with about 20kg to keep me company. The joys.

I have got Diamox but dont intend to take it until I need it although i do think you can take it all the time but with some side effects. What is everyone else thinking?

xkx

I have taken some Diamox and the only thing it did for me was make me pee a lot, keep the rest until I need them.

Just wondering if you have all received your bags. Mine arrived yesterday so i think i will be having a look at how everything will fit in it this weekend.

Hope everyones training is going well and that you are not picking up a different injury everyday like i seem to be.

xkx

Hi all

I received my bag yesterday too, don't worry about the training  too much because my Brother in Law did this route and the first three days is a walk in the park so he said, then the walk up to Mawenzi becomes difficult, but he also said that the final day is agony, he walked for fifteen hours on the final day and made the top and back down.  He claimed that as long as your mind is right then you should make it as long as the altitude don't get you.  He also said the slower you go the more chance you have of summiting.  I am really looking forward to meeting you all, and we will support each other to the top ok.

Hi everyone!

I saw your previous posts and thought I'd better send one of my own.

I'm really looking forward to starting the climb on 28th, and to meeting you all - I will also be going up solo. I've never done anything quite like this, so I don't know yet if the altitude will be a problem. I think the trick is to go up very slowly isn't it?

I hope your training is going well. I'm going to do some walking tomorrow on the South West Coast path - lots of hills!

See you soon,

Rob.

 

Hi Rob

Its good to hear that there are some more solo travellers on the trip.

Its not long now so starting to get excited and also slightly questioning what we have let ourselves in for but im sure we will have a great time when we get there.

xkx

So it is only a week to go and I thought as we have such a long time at the airport it might be nice to meet up rather than us all be sitting on the plane trying to work out who else is crazy enough to be doin this!

What do we all think?

xkx

Look forward to meeting you all on Tuesday