Ian’s Trip

Ian on his upcoming African adventure

“Being something of an Africa-phile, it is somehow fitting – or lunacy – I should attempt an ascent of its iconic, highest mountain. Kilimanjaro is a stand-alone, classically shaped, dormant volcano just south of the equator in Tanzania, East Africa, topping out at 5895 metres (19,341 feet) and it is, in fact, the tallest free standing mountain in the world.

The trek starts in savannah bushland, rising through Agro forest, then rainforest, sub alpine moorland and bogs and topping out at a desert alpine region with a permanent snow/ ice cap and glacier. Temperatures will range from +30C to below freezing temperatures at the top; this could make packing a little tricky but as usual it’s a matter of layers, always layers! The high altitude is also set to be an issue but with my training in Macc forest surely I’ll be OK?

I am going with 5 friends, setting off on the 9th of February, with 8 days of trekking on the mountain. Along the way we intend to raise money for Water Aid, a charity working in Tanzania and elsewhere, which aims to transform lives by improving access to safe water, hygiene and sanitation in the poorest communities. If you would care to contribute to the charity I would be very grateful – and be assured I am entirely self financed.

Thanks,

Ian”