It all started by a lucky holiday and a passing comment. November 2018.
“Some of us are going to do Snowdon next Friday if you are around”
Sure why not, I have the day off already.
A failed paddling trip was salvaged by a trip to Wales and the start of a great adventure to Africa.
One beautiful walk, and I mean the best weather Snowdon had ever seen, several bottles of wine later it turns out that 2 of the walkers were planning on climbing Kilimanjaro next year, at different times but with the same organiser.
My ears pricked up, to be fair this was not the first time I had discussed this, several years previous we had chatted about it but not done anything. A few google searches later I was also signed up.
The time between the first mention and me booking was only a few days. After all the hard stuff had already been organised for me. Who to go with, when to go.
Now came the fun preparation and planning. Shuffled dates and now 3 of us were all going. Booking flights, buying new kit, plan some training and actually read about what I had signed up for. Standing at 5895m, altitude was going to be a big challenge followed by the massive change in temperature. One quote I read “it is like walking from the equator to Antarctic in only a few days!”
Several shopping trips and lots of reading about the trip will be needed. Ben started organising a training Yorkshire 3 peaks trip in Easter. I started trying to figure out which vaccinations were needed and where to get visas from.
My altitude training and walking continued in the Swiss Alps only 2500m and several hours walk but it was a start.
So we are heading into March and my plan of doing some steady training has not occurred however I have signed up for another walk. Yorkshire 3 peaks again. This time in June so I am going to use this as the hot weather training and also to retest all my stuff, what I should carry and what I should wear. Having spoken to a few people who have done this it sounds a challenging walk covering a lot of miles in one day. Which is the opposite of the Kili trip but a good chance to see if everything is comfy, especially my new boots.
Recently trying out my new kit in the wilds of Norfolk a few walks of around a couple of hours. One in sunshine and one in persistent rain tested out the layering system, waterproofs and walking poles. Also new bag seems very comfy and is more practical than my previous, so all in all happy with my current kit and walking progress.
Next step is to try walking for multiple days but I will do this after the 3 peaks.
As part of Red Nose Day a group of Celebs went up Kili by the northern route. Watching the hour long documentary of their trip was enlightening. Finding out that altitude sickness effects mental as well as physical state was new. However, the spectacular scenery and amazing sense of accomplishment they felt at the top got me excited and even more eager to do it. I am now even more glad I am going with some people I know as the team mentality to succeed was necessary in the challenging times.
Easter weekend – temperatures in the high twenties. Let’s go for a practice 3 peaks walk. 26 miles 3 hills and many many steps. Finished in 11 hours 20 minutes with a few stops for snacks, ice cream and enjoying the views and taking photos.
Was very useful knowing what to carry, what to wear, or more what not to carry and wear. Also good chance to try the new boots out.
Made it to the end. Only a 5 mile walk to get back to the car.
More weekends away and more walks.
Trip to Wales meant a nice walk up Caldair Idris, a lesser known but just as nice hill in South Snowdon allowed me to try out different sock options
A few walks round the local Norfolk forests and riverside in Cambridge allowed for walking on consecutive days with a bag or baby, similar weight just one is wiggly.
The back to the Yorkshire 3 peaks for round two, this time joined by 300 work colleagues. Tested out all kit in all weather. Starting with heavy rain for hours changing to sunshine.
Overall a good 10 hour walk. Legs felt fine the next day. Still need to carry less and trust the kit I have to keep me warm and dry.
So with 100 days to go some more things need to be checked of the list.
Some Vaccinations have now been booked along with a chat to the doctor on additional vaccinations and medication to take. Accommodation in Zanzibar has been finalised along with internal flights to Kili. Prescription sunglasses ordered for those fine days on the mountain.
Still to do list is still long but progress is being made. I think final accommodation and visa’s will be next followed by any other medical stuff I need to sort out.
Just had first lot of vaccinations, one in each arm so slightly stiff arms for the next few days. Need to organise the rest of them with a private travel clinic. Yey more stuff to organise and do.
Been for another beautiful walk in Wales, back to Cadair Idris this time the scramble route.
A lot more vertical but a lot more picturesque.
Round 2 of vaccinations have started only to find out they are a 3 dose concoction so more Saturdays getting stabbed. 😟 Total count will be 11 different vaccinations and still deciding on a couple more.
Final vaccination count was 12 in the end.💉 Something I had not accounted for was just how expensive they would be, this is something to remember if travelling again. However, I think the cost now is a lot smaller than the cost of getting the disease.
Successful weekend I also managed to get anti-malaria tablets as well as US$, more things ticked of the too do list. 🙂
With 4 weeks to go a weekend of frantically watching YouTube clips of what to pack for Kili and checking against my own kit list might require another shopping trip. Spare clothes to wear in the camp make it much more comfortable. Also reminded I need to sort out how to get to the airport in the first place, might have missed that vital step.
One more training weekend of walking coming up and then the final preparations.
Three weeks to go. Lot of frantic messages about kit and what else needs to be done are flying around.
Currently spending 4 days in Wales walking and camping just to get used to it all and figure out if I need anything different.
Tried out a new air mattress, so comfy, had good night’s sleep each day which will be important on the mountain.
Short warm up walk to the quarry at Moel Siabod on the first day as arrived late but still good.
Then onto Snowdon, like everyone else in Wales, as it was a nice day. Got a chance to try out my layers in the wind then sun then wind, typical welsh weather but no rain. Also tried out the sunglasses all day which worked well.
Still learning I need to carry less and work out why one boot always needs re-adjusting.
Day 3 in Wales has let me try out my wet weather gear! Managed to find some dry patches in Bangor so went for some coastal walks without my bag.
Covered quite a few miles and feet and legs felt fine, finished off with a scramble up a hill just to work on stability training and to get a nice view, between the clouds rolling in.
Most of the random bits and pieces have now been bought including a new even bigger bag, as although I was underweight it was a very tight fit to get everything in. Also excessive number of snacks and high altitude insurance have been purchased.
Just the last minute packing, weighing, checking and repacking to do.
Top tip- if you have 2 options of things but only need 1, weigh them and take the lightest. Saved myself about a kilo working through all the bits and pieces.
Lots of multi coloured dry bags to keep things dry and organised.
Time for an adventure!!
Off to the Top of Africa to watch the sun rise over the Serengeti, via Zanzibar.
Mike's Travel Adventures 