Almost time...

So the big day is almost upon us. In two days time we head off to Heathrow to begin the adventure of a lifetime. The last few weeks have flown by scarily quickly and despite two years of planning I have been rushing around buying last minute bits and pieces. In fact the last online order arrived today - talk about cutting it fine.

I have just spent the last 3 hours packing my bags which proved more complex than you might think. It isn't easy packing for a nine day trip which will include exposure to all weather extremes. On the first attempt I fitted in everything except the sleeping bag which was a slight problem. On the second attempt I had no shoes.

On the third and final attempt I managed to squash everything in and get the bag done up.  Many items are now packed into my hand luggage which should prove entertaining should they need to search my bag. I do have a morbid fear of an airline losing my luggage and always stand at the luggage hall with a mild sense of hysteria. Hence for this trip anything I cannot manage without is staying with me come hell or high water.

I have found it useful when researching this trip to read what other people took so here is my list for any future trekkers who stumble onto this blog.

1 pair of walking boots
1 pair of trainers
2 short sleeve tops
2 long sleeve tops
Thermal top
Thermal longjohns
Liner socks
Thermal socks
Summit socks
3 pairs of walking trousers (all can be converted to shorts)
Waterproof overtrousers
Goretex coat
3 fleeces (varying thicknesses)
Gloves and silk liner glovers
Fleece hat
Sunhat

Camelbak (2litre)
Water bottle (1 litre)
Water purifiers and neutralisers
Walking poles
3 season sleeping bag and silk liner
Pillow
Sunglasses
Suncream

Blister plasters
Bandages
Imodium
Toilet roll
Wet wipes
Toothbrush and toothpaste
Nurofen
Insect repellent (and bite soother if the insects aren't repelled!)
Malarone
Diamox (to take if needed)
Ankle/knee supports
Lots of snacks

I guess the question now is ... what have I forgotten?

FAQs

Over the last few weeks I have been asked a variety of questions so thought I would cover the most common ones here.

When are you going?

We fly out via Kenya on Sunday 5^th August and return on the 14^th August. Eek! Only 3 weeks now.

How long will it take?

We are spending eight days (seven nights) on the mountain.  Roughly seven and a half days is spent ascending and the remaining time descending. The slow ascent allows time to acclimatise to the high altitude.

How far will you walk each day?

We will be spending anywhere between 4 and 7 hours walking each day. However the summit day begins at 11pm and can last anywhere between 8-16 hours!

What route are you taking?

We are using the Machame route which is also known as the ‘Whiskey’ route. This route is considered the most scenic ranging from rainforest, through alpine desert to an ice capped summit. Although more demanding than some routes it does include an extra day of acclimatisation so increases our likelihood of reaching the summit.

Are you mad?

Yes, quite possibly! But if you don’t challenge yourself from time to time life gets a bit dull!

Which charities are you supporting?

I am fundraising for Teenage Cancer Trust

“Teenage Cancer Trust is the only UK charity dedicated to improving the quality of life and chances of survival for young people with cancer aged between 13 and 24. We build specialist units within NHS hospitals, bringing young people together to be treated by teenage cancer experts in a place designed just for them.  They want every young person with cancer to have access to this specialist support, no matter where they live.” Visit www.teenagecancertrust.org.uk to find out more.

If you would like to donate please visit my fundraising page at www.justgiving.co.uk/leanne-hillier

Dele is fundraising for British Heart Foundation

“The British Heart Foundation is the nation’s heart charity, dedicated to saving lives though pioneering research, patient care and vital information. We rely on your donations of time and money to continue our life-saving work. Because together we can beat heart disease. Visit bhf.org.uk to find out more.”

If you would like to donate please visit her fundraising page at: http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/team/AdeleSmith

Altitude Testing

You may recall I wrote a few months back about the risks of altitude sickness or AMS. This obviously is one of the key things we are worrying about as the departure date looms ever closer.  It is incredibly difficult, if not impossible, to predict who will and won’t suffer. For control freaks like Dele and I this is obviously unsettling. As a way of regaining some control we decided to visit ‘The Altitude Centre’ in London. This centre is able to mimic conditions of high altitude and provide some guidance on how susceptible to altitude sickness we might be.

So one wet day off we went.

On arrival we sat on a rather incongruous looking purple velvet sofa nervously eyeing up some oxygen masks, an alarming looking graph and two chairs very reminiscent of the diary room chair on Big Brother.  What had we let ourselves in for?

Was Big Brother watching us?

The first test measured something called Forced Vital Capacity. This assesses lung function by measuring the amount of air blown out after a full breath. So we had to take a big breath in, sucking in as much air as possible then blowing it all out into a little tube like machine as quickly and for as long as possible. Take it from me; it’s a lot harder than it sounds. “Who wants to go first?” asked the friendly man. “It was your idea to do this so you go first” was Dele’s reply.  I couldn’t argue with that! We did have to complete this task with our backs to each other as we have been known to get the giggles – a lot!

The second task we did together.  Take a breath in, breathe out completely so that your lungs are empty and then see how long you can wait before taking a breath.  Go on, have a go. 

I may have looked a little like this...

See, it isn’t easy is it? You are effectively fighting your body’s reflex to breathe and it is quite painful after a remarkably short period of time. It measures your body’s tolerance to carbon dioxide. I managed about 25 seconds; Dele beat me by about 5 seconds. Apparently that’s a good result for both of us.

Finally we got to see what happens in our bodies when breathing in a low oxygen atmosphere such as at 4000 metres.  It was like being in hospital with a mask on your face and a monitor attached to your finger measuring your heart rate and blood oxygen levels. Whilst attached to this you watched two lines on a graph to see what was happening.  The worst thing was you couldn’t talk, which for Dele and I was the most torturous part.  My blue line (blood oxygen) dipped and levelled out at above average whilst my red line (heart rate) stayed relatively stable – I was very proud! Dele’s blue line dipped a bit more alarmingly and her red line shot up which was a tad worrying. Apparently this means I am less likely to suffer from AMS and Dele is borderline sensitive.  Although not a definite predictor the testing has allowed us to feel more reassured about what to expect in terms of symptoms.

We also got some useful advice. The piece I seem to have retained is that Mark’s and Spencer Percy Pig sweets are very good for energy levels! I'm sure there was more but in the meantime I'll stock up on these!

Nom Nom Nom!

The written report we received a few weeks later stated that we were “Normal”. I know a few people who might disagree with this...

A very useful gift

The other day I received the best gift in the post ever.  I’d had to wait a while to collect it and anticipation was building as the friend responsible had already hinted that it was something special. I took my little red card to the sorting office and excitedly opened the unassuming envelope. After one look I was chuckling in the street and getting some very odd looks.  This amusing item linked to one of the main questions I have been asked about the Kilimanjaro trek.

The first questions are obvious – When? Why? Who with? The next most common question tended to be asked in hushed tones, usually accompanied by a surreptitious look over the shoulder, "What about going to the loo?” I must admit this question was one of my early concerns and has since been thoroughly researched. In short there are 3 options:

1.       Long drop toilets – as far as I can work out these are basically holes in the ground with a shed around them.  Could prove tricky with tired legs but hopefully all the squats at the gym should help.

2.       Our porters will carry a portable toilet with us – I think this is a seat over a bucket enclosed in a tent. Very glamorous!

3.       A big rock or bush to hide behind. Not at all elegant.

I can deal with all these options but was very concerned about night time ventures.  You are advised to drink a lot and one sign of good acclimatisation is needing the loo a lot, especially at night. I have no sense of direction at the best of times let alone in pitch darkness halfway up a mountain so was distinctly worried. I had visions of never finding my tent again or walking off the edge of a cliff! This gift provided a solution. It's not pretty or glamorous but to me is an essential item of kit: The 'Discrete Foldaway Urinal'!

Not something I had even heard of or even considered but there it was! Don't worry, I'm not going to explain how it 'works', I'll leave that one up to you! All I will say is that I'm very happy that I won’t be visiting a stranger’s tent in the middle of the night or plummeting to a painful death! Thanks, Cath!

Lessons Learned

Our second day of walking in the Malverns was a short but memorable one. It rained constantly and we could barely see the hills we were walking up. Still it was a good opportunity to test out the waterproof coats and covers and we learnt many lessons in the few hours we were out.

1. Waterproof trousers should be put on before your trousers get wet.
2. Waterproof covers for rucksacks should be put on before starting the walk.
3. Rain and wind equals a permanently runny nose and your tissue gets very soggy.
4. Walking in the rain and wind is unpleasant.
5. Learning what the different toggles on your hood do is best done before you are halfway up a hill and it has started to rain.

Looking happier than I felt!

I was alarmed when my coat started frothing!

Still at least we found all this out in a place where we could head back to a cosy house with a log burning stove, hot showers and a comfy bed. Kilimanjaro will be a snug two person tent, wet wipes and a sleeping bag - hmmm...

Bank Holiday Training

With the trip rapidly approaching we decided it was time to fit in a training walk or two so headed back to the Malvern’s with a clear objective. We were going to walk the full length and back again – a distance of about 18 miles according to the map I looked at.

The weather forecast was not good, rain, wind and more rain but we philosophically decided that we would face whatever the skies threw at us. Feeling slightly anxious we carefully packed our bags with the items we will have to carry on Kilimanjaro and laced up our boots – this would be a real test; had all those hours of gym torture and circuits classes paid off? We were both hoping to make it up the hills without being overtaken by little old ladies and their dogs!

Despite it supposedly being spring the weather was a tad on the cold side and the gloves and fleeces quickly went on, however there was no rain, a definite bonus. Dele had sensibly remembered a hat whereas I was destined to spend the day with cold ears. Reaching the top of the first hill we were pleasantly surprised, a bit out of breath but nothing compared to the torturous AMT machine at the gym. The walk settled into a very regular pattern – on the down side of the hills we chatted, gossiped and giggled. On the up slopes it all went rather quiet apart from the occasional groan. We developed a strategy of not looking too far ahead as a quick glance would often reveal how far we had to go to get to the summit and dampen the spirits somewhat! Despite the moans and groans we made it to the top of every hill in one go and before we knew it had reached the end.

All the gear and some idea!

I was jealous of that hat!

The walk back was slightly tougher as the legs were getting a bit tired but we persevered and had the welcome distraction of what seemed like hundreds of hang gliders and gliders filling the skies above us. There is something both eerie and beautiful about a plane swooping through the sky without a single sound.

All of the equipment was carried up a very steep slope.

We were heading back to British Camp car park but had a dilemma, would we attempt the hills on the other side of the camp or head home? Neither of us was willing to be the one to back down and there was a lot of “What do you think?” questioning.  Finally working on the logic that a) we would regret it if we didn’t try and b) on Kilimanjaro we wouldn’t have a choice we decided to give it a go. 

I won’t lie to you, it was tough. Muscles we weren’t previously aware of made their presence known and I think it was sheer stubbornness that got us to the top. Feeling rather smug and very pleased with ourselves we headed back to the car and home. We had come a long way since our first disastrous attempts and for the first time felt we were fit enough for the challenge that was creeping ever closer.

At the top of British Camp!

The Biggest Bag in the World

In my research for this trip the subject of what bags to take has been a tricky one. Lots of references to different sizes and types, waterproof covers, adjustable straps, 30 litre capacity (I thought this was how you measured liquids?) etc etc. My mind has been well and truly boggled! Essentially it boils down to the fact that I need two. The first a smaller daysack to carry up the mountain with the day to day stuff such as fleeces, waterproofs, snacks, water and camera. The second to contain things like my sleeping bag, clothes and other items only needed at the end of the day. This bag is carried up by the amazing sounding porters who seem (from most videos and pictures I have seen) to carry them on their heads! This was the bag that was proving a dilemma. I have a nice daysack that will fit in all the daily essentails and I have been using  this on my walk to work so have got the straps adjusted just right. The second was proving tricky until along came a generous gift from a family friend - the biggest rucksack in the world!!

Six pockets and counting!

The photo really doesn't do it justice, I think you could smuggle children in it! In addition it has at least six different sections (I keep finding more!) and I keep planning what to put in each. I suspect that I'll pack some things and only find them on my return to the UK or spend most of my time searching for them - maybe I should create a map for the bag?! The most excitement I had was finding the attached waterproof cover stored in its own handy pocket. I may never find it again but at least I know it's there!

You'll spot me in the dark!

The mega bag also has an unbelievable number of straps, clips, toggles and buckles making it fully adjustable. The only problem is that I have no idea how to adjust it or what each one is for! I am going to have to experiment and hope I don't do myself an injury! I have a vision of me proudly and correctly putting on the bag and connecting all the clips only to fall over backwards and lay stranded like a turtle while others laugh hysterically and take photos.

More clips and straps - help!!

Lots of adjustable straps - but how?

Oh well, maybe there's an instruction manual in one of the yet undiscovered pockets!