This team are dead excited, up for the challenge and literally chomping at the bit! This is particularly evidenced every time the clouds part and the mountain summit pokes it magisterial white head out high into the sky. Everyone's initial "oh my god" has been replaced by energy and enthusiasm and a determination to conquer something so incredibly massive.
At our briefing we were taken through the requirements of our kit bag. This was important as several of the party have bags which are too heavy for the porters to carry - the limit is 15kg and several are nearly 20kg. A bit of selective repacking will be needed later on!
We also went through our route. The Lemosho route that we are doing was described as one of the most attractive routes up the mountain (very good!) but also one of the hardest (not so good!). It is good for altitude acclimatisation as it undulates up and down a great deal but it is physically the second toughest in terms of how strenuous it is. Hmmm.
Regardless, after a year's preparation and a challenge that somehow was always "a long way off"....tomorrow is the big day: we are all but ready now and we head off bright and early tomorrow morning. Our first day is quite hard (oh goody) and it seems that it has been raining on the mountain today (double goody!). We had a few loud thunderous claps over the hotel too. But we all know that this isn't a holiday camp it is an extreme altitude climb and we are going to get wet.
It may be sadly that we are not able to get an Internet signal tomorrow so there may not be any update now for a couple of days. We will of course try our best. If the signal is there we will send something but a broken phone mast at the lower levels and the bad weather in the rain forest have prevented many from doing so recently.
As for the group, everyone remains in excellent spirit and the team has bonded exceptionally well. The messages from home have been really appreciated! Shannon Millar and Mike Wilesmith who met the group only yesterday have bonded perfectly and it is as if they've been old friends for years. Genuine camaraderie and laughter pervades this team which is great to see and this bodes very well for the trials over the next few days where at some point or other every one of us will need support as we acclimatise through the change in oxygen level.
As for our health, most are in perfect health. There are i am sure you will be pleased to know no new injuries or illnesses. Nigel Howlett continues with a stubborn chest infection as do I. Both of us are improving however - but at a slow pace. Basically these need to be gone by Sunday otherwise we risk our own part of the adventure being compromised. That said we are both feeling optimistic that these things can pass through their latter stages very quickly - especially in the open air. Fingers crossed!
Thanks for reading. Wish us luck!
Sent from Nigel's iPad
Good luck with everything tomorrow. Try and keep your gear dry as much as possible.
ReplyDeleteWill be following your progress avidly. Take care one and all.
Cheers
Simon.
Good luck dad love Stacey & Holly x
ReplyDeleteAlly, best of luck with it all tomorrow and in reaching the top of kili. Loving the blogs its fantastic to hear the events. Dont forget your maltodextrin and your yellow dye no.2:) Kili has brought the ass and ensure you give it one fine kicking. love you longtime buddie,take care all x x
ReplyDeleteIt's great to read the updates. Surprised you Nigels haven't asked some (poor) female to rub some Vicks on your Chests! Well, here's to a safe and fabulous journey for all of you. Will be keeping an eye on your updates. I've had so many thank you messages from The Haven and those that have attended / are attending there - they all love what you are doing. Hugs and Luck to everyone. Sarah xx
ReplyDeleteto ally and all the kili crew, the very best of luck with day 1 of climbing tomorrow. sounds like it might get a bit wet - ally, we didn't consider that during our training in johnny foxes - be careful you don't melt sugarlump :) xxx Gillo
ReplyDeleteVery best of luck and love to you Ally and all the rest of the group :) We are egging you on in spirit and will keep watch over your progress. Great reporting from Nigel, we really appreciate it. Emmett just cannot get his head round the fact that you are now in Africa Ally, after all the talk, you're finally there and heading for the mountain :) We'll be thinking of you in the morning as you make the ascent. Keep up the fantastic work. We love you. Jeni, Aaron, Emmy and Alexandra
ReplyDeleteGood luck everyone, you can do it Ally :) xxx
ReplyDeleteGood luck to you all!!!!
ReplyDeleteDrink plenty and pee plenty.....
xxxx
Have fun everyone, laugh as you climb (while you can!). Hubby keep your skinny chest warm. LOL xxx
ReplyDeleteGood luck dad have a gr8 time, you can do it. Love you loads don't do anything stupid!!
ReplyDeleteEmma xxxxxxxxx