View of Mt Kilimanjaro from the start point of the hike

5 October 2018 – Mt Kilimanjaro

With three months of training, a total of five days and 70 km #hiking the Marangu Route on Mt Kilimanjaro Tanzania (the oldest and toughest route), raising awareness, funds (A$500 in total for the campaign so far, thankyou for your generosity) and placing a Solder On flag at the Uhuru Peak with an altitude of 5,895 m above sea level (started at 1,870 m), I achieved my goal and have made it back to the starting point, Moshi, in one piece and couldn’t be prouder. The view from the top of Africa was breathtaking and should be experienced. Amazing landscape.

Had the best week on the mountain and made some great friends. Five days of hiking and climbing to the roof of Africa, with the final ascending day trekking 9 hours in total with the temperature going down to -15 degrees C, was a long but rewarding and memorable day. With no altitude sickness (well I had no energy), headaches or symptoms, I was blessed. In 2017, when I was at Mt Everest base camp I got acute mountain sickness the day before reaching the base camp. This trek is more difficult than Mt Everest base camp. The guides, porters and cook were fabulous and I recommend this Intrepid travel trip wholeheartedly. My Mont Adventure Equipment, Macpac, Kathmandu gear, Scarpa GTX Terra hiking boots (which I donated to one of the porters at the end of the trip), EPE 3 litre hydration reservoir backpack and other miscellaneous equipment all worked perfectly. I had travel insurance with World Nomads, thankfully didn’t have to use it but is great to have peace of mind up at these high altitudes.

Everything went our way, from the second we got off the plane, (thanks Qatar airways) to meeting our awesome guides, reaching the summit and the long decent. Not much wildlife up here but white butterflies and black crows popped up every now and then, to remind us they were there. Did see some monkeys in the low lying rainforest terrain.

You can still donate to Solder On via this link, https://soldieron.giveeasy.org/campaigns/mt-kilimanjaro-hike-for-mental-health-awareness/ 100% of the money raised goes directly to them. Visit Tanzania, you will not be disappointed. You will experience and explore nature and the outdoors like never before.

Thank you for coming on this journey with me. What is your purpose in life? You can overcome.

Click here for the 15 min YouTube video of the hike up to the roof of Africa.

Thanks to Intrepid Travel for allowing me to use the below route map.

Marangu Route – Mt Kilimanjaro