Trail this year’s Comic Relief celebrities and Climb Kilimanjaro

4th March 2009

Climbing Kilimanjaro is no walk in the park but this week, the likes of Girls Aloud’s Cheryl Cole and Kimberley Walsh, Chris Moyles, Gary Barlow, Ben Shepherd, Fern Cotton and Denise Van Outen will be taking the challenge for Comic Relief. Why not follow in their footsteps and set out on your own Kilimanjaro challenge. Exodus have offered trips to Kilimanjaro for over 35 years and guarantee to take you to entirely new heights. With our experienced guides, you can climb Kilimanjaro your own way and explore further from the beaten track.

Here are some tips from our Killimanjaro veteran, Paul Goldstein – wildlife photographer and Exodus guide who has climbed the mountain more than 10 times.

A View from the Top – Paul Goldstein’s top tips to climbing Kili

1. Slow – take it very slow, it is no race. This is classic hare and tortoise country.

2. Chocolate - yes, chocolate. Forget your power and isotonic bars - your appetite dies at altitude but you can always manage some chocolate. Just as at the end of a large curry, when you are ready to burst, when they bring the bill and the After Eights, there is a scrum for them.

3. Ear plugs - you think people snore at sea level, try them at 4,000metres.

4. Water - just as a car needs oil, your body needs water. Note: your urine should be clear and copious.

5. Pain - there will be some! Ibuprofen was invented for this sort of headache.

6. Cat naps - don't have them. Sleeping at altitude is tough enough without being compromised by an afternoon doze.

7. Acclimatisation extra walks - you have just arrived into camp, your feet are swollen as is your bladder; your shoulders ache from your rucksack, you want rest and cake…No. What you need is a slow extra ascent and descent - this helps acclimatisation - your number one enemy - along with sleep.

8. Mind games - whether it is games or lateral thinking, you need distractions to keep your mind off the summit. Mind games help with the end game.

Exodus has offered trips to Kilimanjaro for 35 years and guarantees to take you to entirely new heights. Goldstein says: “I wish the celebrities all the luck in the world. Kilimanjaro is no easy feat and it will prove ball-breaking for a lot of them but with The African Walking Company, the same company Exodus puts their faith in, I know they will be in good hands.”

View our Kilimanjaro Videos