How I Conquered A Mountain To Raise Money For Bowel Cancer UK

We were proud to help sponsor Laurence Harrison’s Mount Kilimanjaro Challenge.  This is Laurence’s uplifting report.

After a good night flight to Nairobi, and connecting flight to Kilimanjaro airport, and then a bus to the Wonders Hotel in Moshi, we were ready for tomorrows start of our adventure.

Machame Gate, the entrance to Mount Kilimanjaro National Park and then a pleasant walk through rainforest in fine weather, taking about six hours to our overnight stop at nearly 2900 metres above sea level.  After a broken night’s sleep we continued our ascent across a moorland valley to Shira Campsite and the Lava Cave and the ridge above it.  Next day, the long climb to Lava Tower starting in the sunshine, but it turned damp, murky and chilly as we gained height to the impressive Lava Tower in time for lunch. 

Blowing A Gale

Now at an altitude of almost 4900 metres.  Descent to Baranco Camp and another early night during which it blew a gale.  Thankfully this subsided in the early hours of the morning.  Then a shorter day, early breakfast, leaving camp with several climbs and descents up to the Karanga Valley campsite and another early night.

Finally we left for Karanga Valley and on for the climb to the summit. Another gale but kinder weather by the time we set off.

Glaciers And Guides

Midnight by the time we set off from Barafu Camp for our final ascent, a long, zigzagging climb between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers during which the guides entertained us with some local songs, adding to the atmosphere.  Stopped for a short rest at Stella Point on the crater rim (5669 m.), then onward and upward.  At 6.08 a.m. a spectacular sunrise as we reached the summit, Uhuru Peak, at an altitude of 5895 metres.  Bitterly cold but rewarding.  Brief stop for photographs, then started the two day descent back to Mweka Park Gate

Fish And Chips

There, lunch consisted of fish, chips and salad, and an hour’s coach journey to the hotel, Kilemakyaro Mountain Lodge in Moshi. 

We had accomplished it. Much needed shower, then a celebration dinner when we were presented with our certificates at a large table on the lawn outside the hotel. A warm pleasant evening.  Meal of a spicy soup, followed by chicken, beef, rice and salad with some wine.

Laurence summed up:
“It was a fantastic experience. I raised £1095 for Bowel Cancer UK.  Many thanks to those Rotary members who sponsored me; almost all sponsors were able to gift aid their contributions.”