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So this is the last blog until (hopefully) Sunday. My Kili climb starts now! Jen, this one is for you! Wish You Were Here!
After a few days of gorgeous views, it's been consistently cloudy over the mountain lately. So, I hope that clears.
I set off from the hotel around 8am Tues and should be climbing by about 11am. First day goes from 1800m to 3100m, mostly through rainforest. Then it's up to Shira Camp (3800m), before going up to Lava Tower (4600m) and down to Barranco Camp (3900m), up to Barrafu Camp (4800m) before the dreaded final onslaught on Kibo - highest point Uruhu Peak (5985m). We set off on day 5 at midnight and walk for 6 hours in the dark along a zig-zag route. In distance, day 5 will be 19km long, longer than any other day in time and distance. And this is the day which seperates 'the men from the boys'. We actually decend a long way down on this, the 'summit' day. Day Six should be the easiest, but not on the knees. And I could be back in Moshi by midday.
Have spent the last few days getting nervous with Kristina and Meaghan - my two fellow climbers. After plenty of excitement, came the anticipation and the feeling that I wasn't actually ready. But after a quick-stop shop this morning of porter's lodges we have all the gear we need, and we even have matching stuff. I found I was short of one or two items. I now have two poles (bit like being at the Whitehouse) and the phrase which i will hear everywhere now is 'Pole Pole' (pron: polay polay) which means 'slow down'. Which is so funny!
Methley, of Ahsante Tours, has been great. We even got drunk on Sambuka, with him on Friday night, where we also enjoyed a full-length Bob Marley concert on widescreen. Met our guide, Julius, today. There will be 6-8 porters to pick up when we get to Machame Gate - the start of the hike.
I will not have my mobile with me. Not much point. The guides have good communication with the base camp and there are lots of safety measures in place. We will probably all get Level 1 Altitude Mountain Sickness (75% do), but we are going by the safest and most beautiful route. We climb high, sleep low - which is great for acclimatization. Don't worry - if I get level 2 AMS I will seek proper advice. The guide will constantly check on our progress. Level 3 requires an immediate decent - no excuses.
I've packed Connor and Luke - so they will be climbing with me.
All that remains to say is send up some prayers, thoughts and best wishes. I'm going to need all the help and advice i can get. I believe I can do this, and will take it slowly. Sorry you will only have this blog for the next 6 days or so... but hey, no news is probably good news. Will be thinking of you all, just as you will probably be thinking of me.
Speak to you as soon as I can - phone calls, blogs etc on Sunday, all being well....
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