Sep 10
23
What an experience!
Well, we’re all back in the UK now having had the most amazing and tiring experience of our lives.
Climbing Kilimanjaro was an experience I will personally never forget… the first day actually didn’t feel that bad I and think all of us were surprised as how ‘easy’ it felt. As the days went on though, we all felt the side effects of altitude in one form or another – from headaches and appetite loss to being sick and incredibly breathless. It’s not something that you can prepare for and until you are on that mountain you can’t be sure how it will affect you personally. The scenery was stunning but the problem was I think we spent more time looking at the feet of the person in front of us than the beauty that was around us. Pole Pole – slowly slowly… and boy were we slow!
As a team the Rhino Maniacs were each others lifelines – crossing the Saddle to get to Kibo especially – in fact I think it is fair to say that without each other a few of us might not have even made it to Kibo – so we have our team mates and new friends to thank for that. From Kibo up towards the summit, the remaining team members once again pulled together to get each other there. How people do this sort of thing without a network of people around them to support them is beyond me.
Would I climb Kilimanjaro again and attempt to summit? Not a chance! Kilimanjaro is hard – physically and mentally – and altitude is an unknown factor with scary side effects. Everyone one of us pushed ourselves to the limit. If we went back we might only make it to day two before the altitude forced us to return. For me, even the concept of attempting to climb Kilimanjaro was a challenge… I am an occasional recreational walker, that doesn’t like walking up hills – although after Kilimanjaro, I don’t think I will ever look at a hill and think “I’ll never make it up there” and I might do some more walking – please no one hold me to that though!
Four out of nine Rhino Maniacs made it to Gillman’s Point and have the certificates to prove it… well done Dave, Meg, Nick & Sarah. But all nine of us made it to Kibo and achieved a massive amount. As team leader of the Rhino Maniacs, I am incredibly proud.
So have we done the Rhinos proud – ABSOLUTELY!
I would like to take this chance to also thank Helen… the original Rhino Maniac that couldn’t come with us to Kili but that updated the blog whilst we were away – thanks Helen… you’re a star!
And of course a thank you to everyone that has donated so far. Watch this space and the photo gallery for info on Mkomazi National Park and the rhino sanctuary and see where some of our hard earned fundraising cash will be going!
