Day 1: Arriving in Tanzania

Emerging from the Tanzanian plains, Kilimanjaro is Africa’s highest peak and the world’s highest free standing peak, reaching an altitude of 5895m. Located in Northeastern Tanzania, close to the Kenyan border and 205 miles from the equator, Kilimanjaro is the 4th highest of the 7 summits. It is mountain that has exerted a strong pull on my imagination and desires for many years that has never relented. Once you finally commit to climbing Kilimanjaro the next decision involves choosing a route to the summit. With seven established routes all with varying duration, daily distances and elevation, scenery and acclimatisation opportunities – the decision is not a simple one. After much deliberation and advice from friends, I happily settled my sights on the 8-day Lemosho route. Beginning in the West, the route offers a variety of terrains from dense forest with rich biodiversity, to the scenic moorland of the Shira Plateau to the summit revealing views Kibo’s Southern glaciers. My predominant reason however for choosing this route is the longer duration which offers a greater opportunity for acclimitisation, which is ultimately what supports a successful and safe summit. I’m accustomed to living outside and to the discomfort of camping so the longer duration does not phase me and I am happy to savour my time on the mountain rather than rush. The Lemosho route is also a little more rugged and the terrain is wilder, which deters many people, making it one of the quietest routes on the mountain.

Planning entwined with anticipation is always the prelude to an adventure. The anticipation forms the initial phase of any journey where the imagination runs wild, weaving scenarios and potential outcomes into a tapestry of opportunities that ignite my longing for adventure. Then there's the planning; from the mundane admin of visas, permits and vaccine certificates to the meticulous accumulation of kit to the physical and mental preparation. These phases hold equal importance to me as the time on the mountain itself. Although I highly value physical preparation and ensure I embark on my adventures with an appropriate level of fitness, I am a huge believer in the biggest mountains you will have to surmount are the ones in your mind. Mental resilience for adventure is a vast field, with libraries worth of literature offering differing views, tactics and strategies for success. For me it can be simply distilled to a strong belief that there is no gap between your ability and your aspiration. While I am mindful that factors such as altitude, injury and illness are out of my control and could ultimately impede me, I am confident in the factors I can control such as my fitness, my experience and knowledge of mountainous environments, my mindset and my gear.

The journey to Tanzania was long and tiring and I was ready to get to my hotel and rest ahead of beginning the climb tomorrow. My final flight was delayed, so I was held at Nairobi for 5 hours before finally arriving at Kilimanjaro Airport where I was met by my guide Saidi. He greeted me with a huge smile, loaded my bags onto the back of a safari open top vehicle and after a speedy 5 minute bumpy drive we were at the lodge. The rest of my group had flown from Manchester so I met them at our briefing, we're a small group of 4 - two brothers from Sheffield who have just graduated university and a retired man from Warrington. Saidi briefed us on the coming days, addressing any worries in a relaxed manner - smiling and saying "Hakuna Matata!" He described each day in detail, pointing at a route map with a pencil. There were a few sharp intakes of breath at the mention of the dreaded summit night but he laughed and smiled saying "Ah no problems, we'll enjoy it!" He came to each of our rooms for a thorough kit check which luckily I passed. He explained that each day our heart rates and blood oxygen saturation levels would be recorded in order to monitor our health and the effects of altitude. After a final organisation of kit and a nap I headed to dinner to get acquainted with my mountain companions before an early night to maximise my rest.

Kilimanjaro is visible from the lodge, standing proudly and intimidatingly above a carpet of dense cloud. As Kilimanjaro is such a popular challenge, there are endless accounts of people's adventures and ordeals. You read everything; from triumph to disappointment. Tales of altitude sickness, extreme cold, relentless inclines, remarkable sunsets and emotional roller coasters. So many factors play a role in a person's time on the mountain and everyone's experience is unique and personal; I am both excited and apprehensive to see how my story will read.