Blogging for Rhinos
Climbing Kili 4 Conservation

I’ve just had a message from one of the team to say that it took them 10 hours to reach Camp at Kikelawa (3600m), but there is still a great team spirit seeing chameleons and mice on the way. They have just had their evening meal which was soup, curry & rice and bananas. I’ve also heard that some are noticing the affects of the altitude!

The team says hello to everyone!

I think that they are doing fantastically well, I know it isn’t easy………..

Well I haven’t heard from the team since yesterday morning so I assume that they probably haven’t got phone reception. However after a 3-4 hours walk yesterday through the Rongai Forest possibly seeing some monkeys they should have reached their first campsite Rongai 1 at 2600m (8500ft). Now after an early wake up they should have a 5-6 hour walk to Kikelawa 3600m (11800ft), through Moorland. Best of luck Maniacs! I will update again when I get a message!

Day 1 of Climb!

Latest update is at. 8am the very excited Rhino Maniacs were on their way to Kilimanjaro. Once signed in they have a 3-4 hour walk to the first campsite.

Watch out Kilmanjaro here come the Rhino Maniacs!

Today the team went to the Chagga Museum and Waterfalls near to the hotel. It was the first time the team have all walked together. They have also seen hornbills during their walk today.

Spirits are high and looking forward to their first day walking up Kilimanjaro tomorrow although they haven’t seen the mountain yet!

First blog from me to say that the Maniacs have arrived in Tanzania and on route to their Hotel near Kilimanjaro!!

Well – this is it… tomorrow we will be on our way to Tanzania and Kilimanjaro!
The journey so far has been amazing – but also tough – I don’t think any of us actually realised just how much time we would need to spend fundraising, raising awareness and training – its been like having another full time job. But its been worth it because tomorrow nine of us will be heading off to do something fantastic – for ourselves it is likely to be a life changing experience and for the rhinos hopefully we are going to raise loads of cash to help with their conservation.
Whilst we’re away we are hoping that Senior Rhino Keeper at Chester Zoo, Helen Massey will be able to blog for us and let you know how we’re doing… that is all assuming that mobile technology actually works on Kilimanjaro! If you haven’t donated yet you can do it by following the Virgin Money Giving link on our website – please do support us in this way as we REALLY want to raise as much money for Black Rhino conservation as we possibly can.
Wish us luck!!

Wow – who’d have thought there was so much kit we need to get?!  Sarah and I went and had a look at waterproof jackets the other day – it needs to fit over a down jacket – which basically makes us look like the Michelin Man… good job we’re not entering a fashion show! In addition to the jackets we also need to make sure we’ve got a sleeping bag that is warm enough to cope with the low temperatures as we (hopefully) near the summit; a mattress that we can actually get some sleep on – although altitude sickness can prevent you sleeping apparently; walking poles; a decent pair of boots of course; sexy thermal underwear; a balaclava (?)… and the list goes on…

Anyone that is considering taking on Kilimanjaro needs to keep in mind that the kit you need can be expensive and budget this in to the cost of the trip.  Thankfully I think most of the team we have some of the kit needed already. For me… I really don’t like the idea of being cold or not sleeping… so think I’l be investing in some additional kit in an attempt to make it as comfortable as it can be.

If anyone has any advice for the team in terms of kit (or even generally) then do get in touch with us.

Ta ra for now!

A total of 17,291 species are known to be threatened with extinction – from little-known plants and insects to charismatic birds and mammals. This is just the tip of the iceberg; many species disappear before they are even discovered (http://www.unep.org/wed/2010/english/theme.asp)

This year the theme for World Environment Day (5th June) is “Many Species. One Planet. One Future”

Black Rhinos are amongst those species that are threatened with extinction and so the Rhino Maniacs (led by ‘Maniac’ Meg… which has a bit of a ring to it) will be doing their bit for our environment and going litter picking! It sounds simple… it is! We all have a responsibility to the world we live in and okay, picking up litter might not save the Black Rhino from becoming extinct but surely it will help some of the local wildlife that live in Chester. I’ll ask Meg to write a blog about why she feels so passionately about this subject… but I’m with her in terms of not understanding why people feel the need to drop their rubbish rather than put it in a bin… it’s not difficult to put your litter in a bin and it’s something we can all do that can help keep our environment clean and tidy – which in turn helps the local flora and fauna.

We’ve not a set a time yet for when we’ll be out litter picking and I know Meg is currently looking at where we go out and pick up said litter – but will keep you posted. And if you fancy joining us… you’re more than welcome!

Oh and check out the World Environment Day website!!

Wow… it really feels like we are moving full steam ahead at the moment with many of the ‘Maniacs’ organising various different fundraising events.  Personally, I have just confirmed a Dinner & Auction on Thursday 7th July at La Vita Bella in Little Leigh – it’s on the A49 between Warrington and Weaverham – a lovely Italian restaurant that does AMAZING food… mmmmm yum yum! There will be an auction on the evening with some brilliant prizes, including an overnight stay in one of the L3 Living penthouse apartments, which I think is worth about £1000!!! Plus a helicopter ride and one of the La Vita Bella chefs has said that he will go round to a winners home and cook them dinner… wonder if I can bid for that one?!?  The info about the event is on the website so have a look if you’re interested.

We also have a South African Wine Tasting evening on 17th June at Corks Out in Chester (Watergate Street), it starts at 7pm. Tickets are £10 and well worth it as you get to taste different wines on the evening and if you decide you like them so much you fancy buying a bottle or two, you get a discount!

I should probably say at this point that if you want tickets for either of the events (or more info) then you can email us at rhinomaniacs@yahoo.co.uk

I now have a busy day ahead of me trying to find ‘Whats On’ guides from around Chester and Cheshire that we can get these advertised in and then I’ll be heading out for a walk somewhere (of course).

As always, thank you to everyone that is supporting us.

x

We have had a late addition to the team… Meg Pugh, Chester Zoo’s PR Officer.  Meg will be a great (and no doubt lively) addition to our team of Rhino Maniacs.  She has done some trekking in the past and has already come up with loads of fundraising ideas – including an auction… details are on the Support Us / Auction page – so check it out!

A BIG welcome to Meg the Maniac!!!