TYX - Kilimanjaro & Safari 11th October - any other fools booked?

Yep I have booked it a while back and been training in the gym. Unfortunately dont know how body is going to react for altitude when you get there. Fingers crossed! Looks like the trip is fully booked, only 2 spaces left now

ThanksSutha

Hiya Andy, thanks for the advise on the base camp trip. I have pretty much got all my gear now, just need the odd bits. I was thinking of getting a down jacket from Shone's mountaineering shop in Thamel, Kathmandu. Have you been in the shop before,  If so whats it like?

John

Hi Sutha, good luck with the gym training! Looking forward to meeting you in October.

I don't think that its possible to train for altitude, and it can hit different people, whether fit or unfit. All that can be guaranteed is that the air will be much thinner (equivalent of using 1 lung), therefore it will be much harder work climbing, and the fitter we are, the less hard it will be! If altitude sickness hits big time, the choices are to put up with it if it is mild, or head downhill quickly!!

Yep, I am not the fittest bloke in the planet. I did Inca Trail last year and managed it. This is going to be much harder. The highest point 4250m or something like that. Keep fingers crossed!!

Hi there !

I'm Ivett and I am coming along with 2 friends of mine : Jon and Corina.  We have never done anything like this before . How fit are you guys ? We are generally ok ( can run 10 if needed )  but never done anyhting like this before.  Do you guys have any tips ?  Anyone heard of the tablets that apparently stops you having altitude sickness ? Is it for real ?

 

Hi Ivett, good to hear from you. 6 weeks to go now and counting............ We are also raising money for Cancer Research, £1,300 so far!

I went to K2 base camp a few years ago, about 5,400 metres. Didn't suffer with altitude sickness, however the thin air makes everything so much tougher! Our trip gains altitude pretty quickly, which will make it harder.

Only tips are get as fit as you can, a stepper is good to build up knee strength, and general cardio vascular fitness. We are climbing mountains whenever we can, despite the rubbish British summer! 

I was told by a travel clinic to avoid Diamox (for altitude sickness), the nurse says it doesn't stop you getting altitude sickness, just masks the symptoms so you feel OK even if your body is trying to say stop! If you get mild sickness (headaches etc), take some painkillers, and drink lots of water. If it gets really bad, it might be time to turn around - better to turn around than dying of oedema! I'm sure the guides will have some diamox anyway, if any of us need some short term relief.

Also, don't think about altitude sickness, the more you think about it, the more you will convinced that you have it. There's a lot to be said for 'mind over matter', particularly on summit day!

Ivett

Looking forward to meeting you all in 5 weeks. I have been adviced to drink plenty of water. When I did Inca Trail we were drinking between 4-6 litres of water. Mix "Nuun" or something like that with the water to replenish the salt etc.

Thanks

Sutha

Well it seems all of you are more prepared then I am. ;-) We have been doing some random weekend 'rambling' but Corina has run a marathon this year, so I think we are getting there.  I think we will be fine once we get over the shock that we are on Africa’s tallest mountain (Yippie) and we are trying to mount it !(crazy ) I can help but cry out every 2 -3 days . 'Who's idea was this again? '  I have some random questions: Are you guys bringing your own sleeping bag and what type ?  How cold will it get ? How big of a bag are you bringing?  30-40 L or less or more ?  Water bottles , I have a Sigg but it seems too small and heavy , tryed the hydration packs , but they all leaked. Any ideas?   Thanks ,Ivett

 

Hi Ivett -wouldn't go so far as to say we are prepared! - we've managed to climb a few mountains, but not as many as we would like!! We'll try our best on the big hill like everyone else, sure we'll all make it to the top with lots of encouragement from each other!

We are taking our own 4 season sleeping bags (1 down, 1 synthetic). By the sounds of it, the weather will be hot near the base, and bloomin freezing when we get close to the top!! What sort of hydration pack have you tried? - we swear by Platypus and haven't had a problem yet! Probably also take a sigg bottle each, for backup water, and to use as a hot water bottle at night (they'll probably dish out the warm / hot water in the evening) for the next day.

As for rucksack - we are taking the bags we usually use (just need to check the measurements, make sure they'll fit in the hold). One big tip from Exodus worth remembering - wear your boots on the flight out, the only way to guarantee they won't end up at another airport!

Spoke to a guy that did Kilimanjaro a few years ago, apparently the main thing is to go really really slowly, to help cope with the altitude. The average days walk is only a few miles, but we take most of the day to do it.

We are wondering whether to take some Diamox as a 'just in case', what are you guys doing?

Are you guys taking the Exodus flight out of Heathrow, or making your own way to Tanzania?

 Not long to go now - can't wait!!

Ok I am defo taking Diamox with me . Just seen this  on Everest Base Camp medical website Acetazolamide (Diamox®)MYTH: acetazolamide hides symptoms Acetazolamide accelerates acclimatization. As acclimatization occurs, symptoms resolve, directly reflecting improving health. Acetazolamide does not cover up anything - if you are still sick, you will still have symptoms. If you feel well, you are well. MYTH: acetazolamide will prevent AMS from worsening during ascent Acetazolamide DOES NOT PROTECT AGAINST WORSENING AMS WITH CONTINUED ASCENT. It does not change Golden Rule II. Plenty of people have developed HAPE and HACE who believed this myth. MYTH: acetazolamide will prevent AMS during rapid ascent This is actually not a myth, but rather a misused partial truth. Acetazolamide does lessen the risk of AMS, that's why we recommend it for people on forced ascents. This protection is not absolute, however, and it is foolish to believe that a rapid ascent on acetazolamide is without serious risk. Even on acetazolamide, it is still possible to ascend so rapidly that when illness strikes, it may be sudden, severe, and possibly fatal. MYTH: If acetazolamide is stopped, symptoms will worsenThere is no rebound effect. If acetazolamide is stopped, acclimatization slows down to your own intrinsic rate. If AMS is still present, it will take somewhat longer to resolve; if not - well, you don't need to accelerate acclimatization if you ARE acclimatized. You won't become ill simply by stopping acetazolamide. 

 

Sounds convincing to us - Diamox it is then!!

Oh Me God !

Its only 3 weeks to go ! Panick -panick .

I have more questions : What size backpacks are you guys bringing?

Anyone got the Exodus bag yet ?

Ivett 

 

Only 3 weeks to go!!

We are taking our normal rucksacks, approx 35-40 litres. Got an e-mail from Exodus the other day, kitbags are sent out 2 weeks before we go!!

Are you guys flying from Heathrow on the Exodus flight?

looking forward to meeting everyone. What a fabulous experience we are all going to have. Has anyone got there kit bag yet? see you all soon

Oh dear nothing yet ... may give them a call. Wonder how big is the kit bag. Any ideas?

 

Still no kit bag received - rang up Exodus, not particularly helpful but said they would chase up (we are going in 10 days after all!!).

Suggest you ring Exodus as well if kit bag not received yet!

Hi Ateall

Corina has talked to Exodus and apparently all kit bags have been sent out already (approx 65 L , size of A4 when packed) . If it doesnt arrive by Friday we can pick some up at the office in Balham.

If we need to pick ours up do you want us to pick some up for you ? Could give it toy you at the airport.

Ivett

   

 

Hi Ivett - kit bags finally arrived today! Many thanks for the offer though.

See you guys next Sunday!

Andy & Les

Hi Guys !

It feels so odd to be back . I cannot believe the things we done and seen. I am still in a haze. :-)

Just wanted to check if all is ok with Lesley , let me know.

Hoping Maria will send the email or we stand no chanse of a chat;-( 

Viv'la flushing toilets and soap.

Love, Ivett