Licking Lassa Fever in Sierra Leone

Kilimanjaro – I’m back!!

I’m back!

It is without a doubt the hardest thing I have ever done. I would not have believed that one leg would keep going in front of the other when the energy tank is not just registering zero, it was heavily on minus.

If you’ve been following the Captains’ Walk on television you will have seen the likes of Rob Howley and Warren Gatland say that you have to dig deep within yourself to get up there and it’s true, it’s a mental challenge even more than a physical one. You have to find a reason for going on up, despite the cold (-20C), the 1 in 3 gradient, the 50% less oxygen, the leaden legs and the darkness broken only by the terrifying sight of  1,000 head torches flickering ever upwards into infinity.

Camping

Well I got to Uhuru Peak somehow. I thought I might have to spend the rest of my life up there as I had absolutely nothing left to come down, but one of the guides grabbed my hand and once we reached Gillman’s Point again, we ran all the way down the loose shale. Nine hours to get to the top, three to come down! I am not sure my toe nails have survived the experience.

I must record my gratitude to all those who made donations to LLF in support of the climb.

Now where shall I go next?

Cherry Wright

Please leave your comment so we know what you think about this article. Trackback URL: Kilimanjaro – I’m back!!.