Kilimanjaro Trip August 22nd

Hi Stuart,

My friend, Anita, and myself are booked on that trip. Equally as excited and nervous! I don't know if anyone else is booked on it or how full it is.

Kirsten

Hello all.  2 more booked on this trip...we're at least 7 now as in December I was told there was only 1 booked.

I did the Inca Trail a couple of years back and was a bit underprepared with walking day in day out so am planning on going to Snowdon/Peak District at some point when the weather warms up a bit for a bit of training. What's everyone's training regime likely to consist of? 

Hi all. Anita here (Kirstens friend). I'm looking at some new boots to buy for the trek (Berghaus explorer trek) but don't know whether to go one or two sizes bigger than my usual size. Any ideas?

How's the training going? Kirsten and I are avid runners, so are relatively fit, however we need to seriously buckle down and start doing some proper hill climbs. Hoping to make some trips to wales and possibly the Peak District also. Looking forward to meeting you all.

 

Take it easy,

Neets ;-) 

Hi everyone, Anita and I are getting a little inquisitive and wondering where you all live and how your prep is going for the trek? We are starting to get pretty excited now! We live in Exeter, Devon and have done a few walks on the South West Coast path this week. Although I wasn't feeling the love for it in the wind and rain today!! But it's all good practice and hopefully Spring will arrive soon! Kirsten

Malcolm and myself are based up in Aberdeen, I am guessing you guys are all down south?

 

I havent done any training yet!!! I am quite a keen runner too and hoping that this will help, but like you I know I should be doing some walking / climbing!

 

Are you guys all hiring equipmnt (as opposed to buying it)? I have bought boots and a jacket but havent got round to anything else yet.

 

Cheers,

 

Stuart.

I just looked and I cant see this trip anymore so I guess the trip is full?

Hi Stuart, We are in the South, In Devon, a bit of a way from Aberdeen! We are hiring sleeping bags and sleeping mats but apart from that I have got my own kit or borrowing a few things as well. I am also a runner but have started to walk at weekends, although not the distance/time that we will be doing for Kili. Kirsten

Hi,

Starting to get real now. :) Stuart has sent me on the link to the forum page as I had misplaced it. Was watching a few of the video clips last night and saw the ceremony farewell song they sing.

Anita - did you get your boots ok? Sounds like you two have already been ok walking so believe you have that all sorted. :)

Andrew - The Inca trail is another one I would really like to see along with EBC.... Looking forward to hearing about it in the group talks, after our day’s walk up Kili.

From what I have heard the day of reaching the summit and/or the day before that, are the hardest and mostly due to the altitude but those people had taken the trips that did it in less days, so I am happy that we are on the longer Lemosho route. :)  All down to Stuart’s time spent researching when it counted. :)

Malcolm.

"All down to Stuart’s time spent researching when it counted. :)"

 

Are you trying to say I should have been working :)

No, but I am the one with the day off today! ;)

Hi there,

My name is Djamila, and I'll be joining the trek with a friend. Am so looking forward to it, haven't done anything like this before :-/.

Is anyone going to Zanzibar afterwards?

Cheers, Djamila

Myself and Malcolm aren't going on to Zanzibar.

Anita and I aren't going to Zanzibar. Has anyone got their visa already or are you getting them at the airport? How is everyone's training going? Kirsten

I havent got my Visa yet and intended to get it at the Airport. Have you heard of any reason not to do this or is there an advantae to getting it before departure?

Ive been out for a few walks with Malcolm now in preperation. We are trying to do a shorter walk one evening through the week and a longer walk at the weekend. I am hoping this will be enough.

I havent had any blisters in my new boots yet so I am quite chuffed with that :)

I am trying to decide which kit to buy vs rent just now. I have bought a Rab Summit jacket but I am not sure whether to spend the money on a sleeping bag or rent it. I am jsut not sure I will use it again!

Has everyone else got all their kit sorted?

 

Cheers, Stuart.

 

I have emailed Exodus and they say to get the Visa at the airport, I do know someone who did the trek last year and they got theirs in advance.

Good news about your boots, obviously a good buy! I am walking twice a week, same as you by the sounds of it, but running a couple of times as well.  How far are you going on your long walks?

 We are renting sleeping bags and ground mats, apart from that I have got everything now apart from maybe a new pair of socks. Just working my way through the injections!

 Kirsten

Well the bank balance is a lot lighter today but I guess that we are definitely going now!

 

Kirsten, We seam to be managing about 14km on a Thursday night and about 20km on a Saturday. I have to be honest and say that while the walking is fine I dont think I would ever do it for a regular weekly excercise. It is just so time consuming compared to running :)

I watched the Comic Relief Kili challenge again last night just to see if I could pick up any hints on clothes, temperatures etc. I notice they didnt wear their heavy gear until right at the top (i.e. last day) but I dont know how edited that was.

I also noticed that Chris Moyles (a smoker) didnt have  a problem with altitude fitness. I have also heard so many times that the fitest people often struggle with the oxygen depletion.

I think that I should maybe sit on the couch for the next 8 weeks and do no more training :).

 

I am a bit concerned about the amount of kit that I plan to take vs weight limit but I guess it will be fine on the day.Has anyone else weight any of their gear?

 

Cheers,

 

Stuart.

 

 

 

Hi Stuart,

 I am probably doing about the same distances walking as you. You are right though, it does take a lot of time!

I havent seen the comic relief programme, is it worth watching? I have borrowed 'Kilimanjaro - The trekking guide to Africas highest mountain' by Henry Stedman. Its really good and has details of each days walk.

I didnt realise that about altitude sickness, darn it! I thought being as fit as possible would be helpful, pie & chips from now on in it is then!lol!

 I havent weighed any luggage yet but probably should do. It is suggested that we wear a complete set of what we need for the trek on the flight over, in case your luggage gets lost.

 2 months on Friday!

 Kirsten