Kilimanjaro Rongai Route 23rd September 2011

Good call on the undies Gerry, we went into M&S today and got some too!

 

I hope there  for wine or beer but no there for reducing light & glare through your sunglasses by about 8%  ileagal to drive with. You will be ok without them.

Ok so now theres 4 weeks  to go has every one sorted out their water, remember summit day you will need a flask with neoprene cover kept inside your jacket to stop it from freezing, your camelbak will freeze before you top out. I ve had this happen and it didnt go well, so bring a flask as well, 1 or 2 litres.

cheers Gerry

 

Sorry but just to advise, You will need camp shoes , try to avoid open toed footwear or flip flops. Stub your toe or cut your foot & trek over ( stubbed my toe once on a climb, nasty cut it was murder for about a week) trainers are fine until it gets to cold & then stay in your boots. Bring old trainers to leave with the porters they will be over the moon. make sure you bring a hand torch as well as a head torch & if you can a magnetic/hook tent torch, sainsburys garage are doing one for 2.99. Wet wipes are a must and iodine for cuts or water purification or though it tastes like s**t. 

sorry if I sound like an old man lol

Yeah, high altitude glasses keep out all those nasty UV rays like Gerry said and definetly not a neccesity. You'll all soon find out/have found out that I like my outdoors kit a little bit too much!

Oi, watch it Gabby lol ;) Preparation is my middle name and now that I've got everything I can start funding my expeditions for this winter!

And thats good to hear about the diamox Gerry and is pretty much in line with what I've been told. So are you going to be taking it now? Plus, it all seems that we are going to be walking around in M&S underwear!!

uganda is on my itinerary for about a week :-( but i got my vaccine done last week so..

ditto with what sonia said...

re diamox.. not gonna stress about it. we've got an extra day to acclimatize and the success rate of rongai is very high. the more one stresses the more tense youre going to be, waste more oxygen etc.. Just drink plenty, take your time going pole pole, enjoy the magnificent scenery and relax.. that's going to be my frame of mind anyway, without diamox :-)

ehhhh sorry :-) hadnt seen there was a pg 2!! lol

Its been good to read all your top tips as Im leaving on 30th Sept for the same on the same trip.. Good look to you all.

Glad we've all been helpful and Good luck too!

Sorry to have to bring up the diamox matter again but over the past two days I have been taking a small trial course (I think Gerry has been as well) and I have no concerns what so ever. All I experienced was a dull tingling in my toes a couple of times a day and a slight mettalic taste for a couple of hours after having the pill - not even any abnormal peeing!

with risk of sounding like i love my mobile phone too much (no seriously, i dont intend on using it much but i will be turning 30 on the mountain so i'd be expecting a few calls lol!!) how do you guys plan on solving the charging issue? has anyone bought a solar charger? does anyone have any experience with this, what to think about, what works what doesnt? etc

as Adam already said no real problem with diamox, a nose bleed on waking 2 days running but that was it. As for phones, will charge it last minute before trek and keep it switched of except for an hour or 2 at most per day. It is also my daughters 32 and grandaughters 20th birthday so your in good company gaby.

Are they coming with you Gerry?

unfortunatly they won't be Gabby, my daughter is moving home & my grandaughter is going to Canada for a holiday at the same time. I shall say happy birthday from the top of Kili.(hopefully).

Well having what will probably be my final blow out before the trek, big roast & a few drinks. My stomach has already shrunk, which is a good thing lol, still plenty of shrinkage needed

i've been barely been to the gym once in the past 2 weeks. havent been on a 1-2 walk in a month? too busy at work :( but will make it a point to do something daily from today on! oxygen course is going ok tho yday's session i reached an "altitude" of 5000m and i was on the verge of falling asleep.... soooooo incredibly tiring... yawn!!

re mobile charger im investing in a solar charger called solio, comes with all the adapters for various gadgets such as cameras, mobiles, ipods etc. hoping to pick up a local SIM card as soon as we land in tanzania to save on roaming charges!

(1-2 HOUR walk in a month)

AYE UP.  Gaby Ref underware. had a team meeting (4 on us) and decided lace was best. if that helps. purchased malaria tablets on saturday price varied from £66 to £40 from asda. tried to hire a coat from exodus for one of the team unfortunatley none left so if your thinking of hireing be quick. and thompson holiday agents were best for currencie exchange. can't stop of to M/S for new clouts. Love the Derbyshire lads. LOL.

 

LOL! :))

Started the anti malaria this weekend, no side effects to note. Hope it stays that way lol

Not taking any anti malaria for this trip... hope it stays that way LOL!!! ;)

CAN YOU FREAKIN BELIEVE IT!?!? NEXT WEEK WE CLIMB MT. KILIMANJARO, AND WE ALL MAKE IT TO THE TOP!!! :D

Aye up me ducks

MONDAY. 1800hrs  Just got of the phone to a man who climbed kili last week. he says very importent to take plenty of lip balm and a face protector ie scarlf/motorcycle style mask (cotton) because of the dust. his lips are still sore after a week? also he recomends downs mittens and coat because of the cold. take loads of sweets ect. last but not least , 24 in his party 17 made it to top. take plenty  of wet wipes and hand gel because washing facilitys are very basic if any, lucky to   get water to wash. not wishing to tell you how to suck eggs but hope this info helps. now where did i put my passport xx 

 

Aye up JB got me motorcycle mask packed, loads of wet wipes, lip balm. We have our own porta loo and you get a bowl of hot water a day from our boys apparently. Nail brush is big on the list of things people wished they had brought. Dont forget to cut your nails before we go cheers see you in 4 days :)

Soooo excited! :D How are we meeting on Friday? Are we gonna meet before check-in? It says recommended check-in 3 hrs before and I wanna see if I can pick up a moneybelt etc once inside the duty free shopping area. Shall we arrange anything guys or just see you at the gate?

Back from my Expedition Skills course in the Peaks now. Nice and muddy and achey ready for Friday!! Unfortunately I've picked up a little bit of a cough, so I'll be nursing that in-between my carb loading (it certainly won't stop me though).

 Was great fun doing Mam Tor and Kinder Scout with a 15kilo rucksack, my legs are certainly in shape now. I'm off to frantically wash and re-pack, see you all Friday :D

I'l be heading for a drink  after check in and relaxing before the hard stuff, may see you there.

cheers

 

Nice Adam! You can carry my daysack too if you want, no prob. And I've been coughing for over a month now, should've gone to doc and probably had a dose of antibiotics but as the ultimate spiritual way goes.... f*** it. See ya all tomorrow with your Exodus tags!!! :))