Hey everyone! Hils and I have just returned from sending off the Ascenders at the first camp, called Simba.

We all arrived late Thursday night and the plan was to acclimatise and rest on Friday before we departed for Kili on Saturday. There was another reason for the extra day and that was for contingency. We had a short transfer in Amsterdam and often there our issues with luggage making it onto the connecting flight. And guess what, we had this issue. The whole group arrived together but those travelling from London didn’t get their luggage until the day after – at 8.45pm the night before the climb.

This was pretty stressful for the climbers as they had lots of critical kit inside that couldn’t be easily replaced locally.

The day of the climb we met for breakfast at 7am and left around 8.30am. From the hotel we travelled over 3 hours to the Rongai gate of Kilimanjaro. During which we got to know the Local guide Leader ‘White’ and his deputy, Julio and drank 1.5 litres of water each. Keeping hydrating is essential for high altitudes. By the time we had arrived at the Gate we were at 2000metres above sea level. On the way we of course had to stop for comfort breaks and it’s not like home where there are established service stations with such facilities. One of the stops was the bushes! Though we then noticed a small hidden house and a complete stranger let 5 of us use her toilet. How amazing!

By the time we arrived at the Kilimanjaro national park entrance the energy on the bus was high. Full of excitement, adrenalin and anticipation.

We were met by about 40 amazing porters who carry our main bags, tents, food, camp toilets – basically a lot of stuff – up the mountain. We simply had our day bags on our backs. Over the last 24 hours we were all fortunate to meet many of them and wow what fantastic guys. Always radiating big smiles, positivity and so helpful. You just wanted to hug them all the time.

We had a packed lunch before we started the hike and signed in to the national parks registration book.

And we were then off. The walk to the first camp was a steady uphill hike, quite rocky in parts but you could tell the paths were well maintained. At first we walked through there shady jungle and all you could hear was wildlife. We even heard some monkeys but we didn’t see them. From their we walked amongst giant heather plants and other vegetation. For most of the time we walked in pairs.

Hilary and I always planned to get to Simba and return the next day and we did just that.

In the build up to the trip I was nervous about doing the hike. I’m not fit and even though I had done some training walks I was worried that I wouldn’t be able to keep up with the group. I also have issues with my knees and nervous about the uneven surfaces.

Well what happened during the last 2 days was incredible. We all made it to Simba just fine including me!

I stayed at the front of the group and helped maintain a ‘pole pole’ pace which is key for a good ascent through high altitudes. The main guide even carried my bag as well as his own for the whole ascent to Simba. It was so moving that someone who I had only just met could be so kind and help me. This helped me so much and definitely helped me manage the hike.

I was lucky enough to get to know John a local guide who was positioned at the front of the Group. He’s only 23 but so so lovely and supportive. He looked after me when I was struggling and I achieved something that I never thought I would be able to do. Whilst I haven’t climbed past the first camp I have climbed my own mountain and it was only made possible because of the encouragement and belief that my colleagues, John and White has in me. They helped me reach the potential that I always had within me. Thank you all.

Tomorrow I will blog about Simba camp and my amazing walking buddy Hilary but for now if you are curious about the others they are doing amazingly well. They are already at second camp and I am so so proud of them all.

Nite nite All x