James. Posted 18 May 2009 Posted 18 May 2009 I've signed up to climb this ****er in February next year in aid of CHICKS, a charity that provide inner city kids from hard backgrounds with weekend breaks. A great cause and if my girlfriend and I reach our fundraising targets it will raise about £8,000. I've read a lot about Kilimanjaro and altitude sickness is clearly the biggest obstacle. We are taking the longest route (Lemosho - gradual ascent over 7 days) which should help ease the symptoms. Still a bit scary though. Anyone got any experience of this mountain or high altitudes in general? I've read loads online but would be great to hear some first hand accounts from anyone who's done something similar.
Finnegan Posted 18 May 2009 Posted 18 May 2009 Could y'not have climbed something that involves a bit of effort?
Joe. Posted 18 May 2009 Posted 18 May 2009 I'd love to do something like this one day. How do you actually get to do it, raise a certain amount or something? And do you have to pay for your own flights etc?
Finnegan Posted 18 May 2009 Posted 18 May 2009 I'd love to do something like this one day. How do you actually get to do it, raise a certain amount or something? And do you have to pay for your own flights etc? Yes. They're getting sponsored to go on holiday to a beautiful part of the world and take a leisurely stroll up a slope.
Tommy G Posted 18 May 2009 Posted 18 May 2009 I climbed Croft Hill a few years ago, took it out of me. Never again. If Chris Moyles the heavy drinking, smoker, 17 stone DJ can do it then everyone has hope, lets be honest.
James. Posted 18 May 2009 Author Posted 18 May 2009 I'd love to do something like this one day. How do you actually get to do it, raise a certain amount or something? And do you have to pay for your own flights etc? My work sponsors certain charities each year and this year it's CHICKS which is how I found out about it. They set a minimum fundraising target and a total cost and you just raise as much as you can. We may end up paying for our flights and insurance but then trying to fundraise the rest, i.e. the cost of the actual trek. The company that CHICKS use to run it is Charity Challenge who provide all the stuff you'll need in terms of guides, porters, transpot links, etc. Apparently 96% of people who use the Lemosho route make it to the summit - very encouraging. I climbed Croft Hill a few years ago, took it out of me. Never again.If Chris Moyles the heavy drinking, smoker, 17 stone DJ can do it then everyone has hope, lets be honest. This is the thing. Fitness obviously plays a part but altitude sickness can affect anyone, regardless of their health. But yeah I'd hope that I can match that fat ****er.
Tommy G Posted 18 May 2009 Posted 18 May 2009 I think the altitude thing is the main part. I'm sure you can have some tests done pre climb to assess how you would react to it. Good luck anyway
Edmund Posted 18 May 2009 Posted 18 May 2009 Yes. They're getting sponsored to go on holiday to a beautiful part of the world and take a leisurely stroll up a slope.
The Birch Posted 18 May 2009 Posted 18 May 2009 I climbed Croft Hill a few years ago, took it out of me. Never again. Croft hill isnt for the faint hearted. Chris Moyles and Garry Barlow can afford to have the best personal trainers/ guides up the mountain. Don't think it will be easy by any means. Sounds like a good cause, good luck.
Guest Posted 18 May 2009 Posted 18 May 2009 I am so jealous. Although, my one and only experience of conquering a mountain (Ben Nevis) was a reet ordeal. Especially with Sir Fynwy being the only other person with me. Just be thankful he's not joining you for this!!
Sir Fynwy Posted 18 May 2009 Posted 18 May 2009 I am so jealous. Although, my one and only experience of conquering a mountain (Ben Nevis) was a reet ordeal. Especially with Sir Fynwy being the only other person with me. Just be thankful he's not joining you for this!! Keep up you!!!!
Guest Posted 18 May 2009 Posted 18 May 2009 Keep up you!!!! If I'd have had the breath to do it, I would have been cursing you.
Raj Posted 18 May 2009 Posted 18 May 2009 M8 of mine went up to one of the bases of Mt Everest. The alt. sickness he had was horrendous and he couldnt cope. He was ill for a long time after. He was a very fit,powerful Copper b4 hand. Be careful....
Joe. Posted 18 May 2009 Posted 18 May 2009 I'm sure James will appreciate those words of encouragement Raj.
Raj Posted 18 May 2009 Posted 18 May 2009 I'm sure James will appreciate those words of encouragement Raj. Yah...erm Sorry James!!! Im sure you'll be fine!!! Think i best fcuk off again til the Footy season starts!!!
General Smuts Posted 18 May 2009 Posted 18 May 2009 You lucky bastard, would love to do that. Enjoy it.
Hullfox Posted 18 May 2009 Posted 18 May 2009 Did Kili 2 years ago. Don't for one minute believe that the Comic Relief people did it off their own backs. Every group that goes up without medics to the extent that they had has 20% of it's people not able to reach the summit. They were getting injections left right and centre to keep them going. You will not have that sort of resource on the mountain. See your GP before you go and get some tablets to counter the altitude sickness. I suffered from it on the final ascent and was projectile vomiting. I was hallucinating for a day afterwards. Altitude sickness strikes people regardless of fitness, one woman on our climb got it on the third day. The thinness of the air is not something that you can prepare for unless you get access to a diving bell/chamber or similar as the comic relief people did. Its hard but rewarding, despite the way it fooked me over it was the single most life changing experience that I have had. Feel free to PM me for more info.
General Smuts Posted 18 May 2009 Posted 18 May 2009 Why would you pay, to see someone in a cage? That some man call the stage? Oh why?
James. Posted 18 May 2009 Author Posted 18 May 2009 Bloody hell. Mental. Thanks for the post HF. I would PM but this might be of interest to the rest of the forum... Which route did you go up and how many days did it take? From my understanding altitude sickness is as much about the time taken for the ascent as it is the actual height you go to. Our trek is a very gradual one which will hopefully ease the effects. Did you take Diamox? Seems to have some side effects but I reckon it's definitely worth a go. Speaking to the girl at the charity and she said she took it and barely suffered any symptoms of altitude sickness. Obviously it will vary massively from person to person.
Alexikokopops Posted 18 May 2009 Posted 18 May 2009 Surely altitude sickness can't be much different from when you stand up Billy Long Shanks?
James. Posted 18 May 2009 Author Posted 18 May 2009 Surely altitude sickness can't be much different from when you stand up Billy Long Shanks? You know what's coming don't you KOKOPOPS? .....................................................
Alexikokopops Posted 18 May 2009 Posted 18 May 2009 You know what's coming don't you KOKOPOPS?..................................................... Does Snowdon count as high altitude? Definitely. I did Three Peaks in 2005 and I'm still banging on about how high I had to climb. MILES in altitude, MILES
marko Posted 18 May 2009 Posted 18 May 2009 You will love it buddy!!! I spent a month out there a few years ago and although we didn't climb Kili because of time constraints we did Mount Meru which was an amazing experience, so I imagine Kili will be something else. The country is great and the people are very welcoming, you will not believe the amount of people called David Beckham who live in Tanzania. Enjoy the experience!!!
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.