Birthday climb - Kilimanjaro
Hi Neil
I'm assuming a celebation when you away?! Yes if trip code is TYW i'm also going on trip leaving 11/6. really excited with a little trepidation. :-) Will be interesting to how the solo travellers trip goes as Ive only travelled on the mixed groups before.
Tracy
...yep, having my 50th on the Mountain. My trip code is TYW1023 Rongai Route, so it looks like I will be seeing you there. I too have a little trepidation, particularly about the altitude sickness, but I'm sure we will be fine.
Neil
What a fantastic way to spend your 50th I did an exodus trip on my 40th, so was in the atlas mountains trying to do the winter trek up Mt Toubkal, the snow thwarted our attempt but was still pretty amazing. Yes altitude...not much can do to prepare for that, must admit am increasing trips to gym tho.
Tracy
I'm booked on this climb too, I'm getting very excited now. How exciting to have your 50th birthday up there, we will have to have a big celebration if we all make it then.
I'm a little bit worried about the altitude too but hopefully it will all be fine. Are you joining the trip there or are you flying with them from here? xxxx
Oh right. I'm meeting the group there in Marangu; I booked my flights separatly as i'm not going home afterwards, I'm off to Uganda for a few weeks.
Very exciting, I can't believe how soon it is now. xxxxx
I get impression you have experience of travelling in Africa, are you intending getting a Visa before you travel? Have you any experience about how easy it to get one on arrival or taken any advice on this?
What about you Tracy, any thoughts?
Can I suggest posting any other useful research you have done be posted up for consideration by all.
I have looked into using Acetazolamide (Diamox), to combat altitude sickness. The best advice I have been given on this is to try it out before you actually need it, just in case it has any allergic effects. On the strength of that I’ve ordered some from the internet, just over £10 for 100 tablets. I’m told it is used as prevention as well as a cure, so I will be using it as long as there are no effects when I try it out.
Insurance is an obvious necessity, I’ve got mine with the British Mountaineering Council, and it’s a fair bit cheaper than offered £60.99. You have to become a member first, but it’s worth it for the saving
Next thing I want to find out about is flavourings for the water. It seems the water, although purified when give to us is drinkable, but they advise use of Biox Aqua Drops to kill Giardia and Cryptosporidium. Apparently it doesn’t taste so good so flavourings seem a good idea. Flavourings with energy giving properties, carbohydrates and electrolytes maybe? Energy bars? Gels? Jelly beans? see link
http://www.lansonrunning.com/accessories/running-energy-hydration/sport-beans/sport-beans.aspx
Neil
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Yes I do have some experience of travelling in some parts of Africa, I have set up a project building a school in Uganda so I have spent quite a lot of time there in the past couple of years and i'm going straight over to Uganda after Kilimanjaro. I think this time I will get my Visa before- I know that it's easy to get a Visa for Uganda and Kenya at the airport and I would guess Tanzania is the same but it sometimes works out a little bit cheaper to get one before.
As for flavourings for water I have used the sachets of powdered squash before- I think Lucozade do different flavours which also give you a burst of much needed energy.
Have you been doing much training? I have been going to the gym a little more than often and last week I did some walking up in Yorkshire but i'm finding it difficult to find training activities that are actually worth while (due to the lack of mountains around here) What kinds of things have you been doing?
gems
...I do quite a lot of walking anyway, I have a very active dog. I've been averaging about 30 miles per week, with one good one (about 12 to 15 miles) every Sunday in the Peak District. I met up with someone yesterday who hardly put any extra training in, he did it in February and said if you are reasonably fit you wouldn't have a problem, he is 60 years old!
He advised most things that you get to read on internet, good boots, good sleeping bag, use walking poles, drink lots of water and take it slowly. His mate got altitude sickness and unfortunately couldn't do the last stint, although he was fitter than the man I met with. I found it strange that he wasn't offered Diamox, I thought all the guides carried it from what I have read, I thought using Diamox was a big part of getting up there, more research required I think. One thing he did regret was not having a decent sleeping mat, he had one of the real thin ones. On the strength of that, I've hired one through Exodus at £25.
nice to hear from you, if you can email a contact number and a good time to ring, I'd be happy to give you a call. Assuming your dodgy computer will allow of course.
houlton.neil@tiscali.co.uk
Neil
Hi all, not long to go and just getting focused. Sent off for Visa but with agency at the moment, thought was easier to get in advance. I'm not sure about using Diamox, definately unsure about buying drugs off the net ! Training - just been to Cork walking over there and catching up with guys met in Peru last year and having a long weekend in lakes, same problems as you guys not many hills in Norfolk let alone mountains. need to get my gear together, will be beg, stealing or borrowing lol. Really looking forward to catching up with you all. I need to get malaria tabs but im ok with other jabs. I'm flying from Norwich early the friday morning so will be having a nice in hotel then meeting group at Airport when you arrive on the Sat morning. AFN Tracy
I guessing you mean your daysack? You probably already have your main bag provided by Exodus. My daysack is one I've had for some time, i'ts a smalish 22 litre one on a frame. I think the recomended one is 35 litre though. I'm happy with mine, so I'm sticking with it. It has a waterproof cover and easily carries a 2 litre hydration bladder and enough room for waterproofs.
Myself and Phill Newman are on the same flight as you, I orignally thought it went via Amsterdam, but I'm releived to know now that it doesnt.
How has your training gone?
just found a good link for the weather forecast at top, bottom and half way up the mouintain. Only the 6 day forecast is available without subscription, but it gives good info. Averaging 8.5 degrees at bottom 0 half way and -8 at the top. I know June was one of the colder months but I thought it would be a little warmer than that.
http://www.snow-forecast.com/resorts/Kilimanjaro/6day/bot
Hi folks,
A bit late to the forum - i will be joining the flight out from Heathrow on 11th for the Kili trek. Just getting my kit together and will be leaving Aberdeen for London on Thursday. Hope to catch up with some of you at Heathrow.
Janice
I'm booked on the 11th of June climb, anyone else?
Neil