TYW 8th October 2011 - Kilamajaro Rongai route

Afternoon Paul!I am also on this trip along with 7 of my friends! Ages range from 24-47'ish. We have Steve, Jo, Caz, Carina, Caroline, Lana, Rich and myself Mark.

Training wise, we have had a couple of weekends away in the peaks and have a weekend in 2 weeks in the South Downs.

The only tip re: kit i have is a down jacket for the evenings! mmm toasty.

So tell us about yourself!

Looking forward to it now, have to pay the balance by friday!

Mark 

 

 

I live near Oxford, 41, keen on outdoor activities, not that I get much chance to get out these days. I have been cycling to work once a week, playing badminton, kayaking and football to try to help, but it seems that fitness doesn't make a great deal of difference whether you make the top. A couple of weeks ago, I walked the Brecon beacons with my son which wasn't too painful and plan to head up Snowdon in a months time. Yes, I have a down jacket too, but I think I need new boots as my old pair are giving me blisters. I am really looking forward to it, off to France for two weeks first, where I plan to cycle every day - ha, we will see! You getting your visa at kilimanjaro airport? Using Diamox? Paul

Blimey sounds like your an active person! Puts me to shame haha So as you say, I'm hoping fitness doesnt play a massive part of reaching the summit!

One of our group is actually making a Visa run for all of us next week down to London just to save the hassle etc but I know most people just get it whilse at Kili airport.

Diamox is one area where we have different opinions. Some people are and some people have decided against it. The effects of the drugs are that of whilst your at high altitude anyway so...not too sure yet to be honest.

Got me a new pair of boots in Feb, Solomon 4D, and they are amazingly comfy!

Yes not so sure on Diamox myself, I will be getting Malarone as antimalerial. Just bought some Solomon 3D's hope they bed in before the walk.

Also picked up an Osprey Talon 33 pack - better than my current Regatta! ha, not sure how I ended up with that and my son had the Deuter?

 Have hired a jacket, poles, sleeping bag and mattress via Exodus, seems like a load of kit I probably won't need in the foothills of UK afterwards. I suffer from the cold, but didn't fancy paying £250 for an Anapurna jacket. So apart from a dodgy shoulder, not liking the cold or suffering from headaches - I think this is the climb for me! -haha.