Frequently Asked Questions - as answered by Trish

QUESTIONS - I HAVE BEEN GETTING LOTS!
And the questions just keep rolling in!! So let’s get right to it.

Are you scared?
Please stop asking me this. No, I am not scared, but the more I get asked, the more I start to wonder if I should be.

Are you nuts?
This could be debated. But until the altitude sickness sets in and delirium takes over, I would say that I am sane and perfectly aware of the decision I am making to climb a considerably high mountain.

Why should i pay for your vacation?
Ah, that would be great to have an all expenses paid vacation. But alas it is not the case. 100% of all donations are going straight to the SHLF. The Kili climb costs are coming entirely out of my pockets - flights, equipment, visas, vaccines, you name it. The costs are adding up but it’s so worth it.

Are you just going for the climb?
Now if you’re asking me this question, you must be nuts. I’m going all the way to Africa and I’m going to enjoy it. So what do I have in store since I’ll be all the way over there?
June 23-28: Climb Kilimanjaro!
June 29 - July 3: SAFARI!!
July 4 - 9: Cape Town, South Africa

How long is the climb?
The climb is 6 days total. We will be ascending very slowly for 4 days and descending over 2 days. Check out the itinerary below.

DAY 1 : 23RD JUNE : BEGIN KILIMANJARO CLIMB
Be met by your head guide and drive to the Machame gate (about 45min.). After registration, start climbing along a clear trail through plantation and natural forest, thereafter a narrow forest path follows to the Machame hut (9,900ft). Approx 5-6 hours of walking today.

Day 2 : 24th June : Climbing
After breakfast, continue your ascend through the forest and cross a large gorge to Shira hut (12,600ft). Approx 5-6 hours of walking today.

Day 3 : 25th June : Climbing
After breakfast, we will ascend to Lava tower (15,180ft) with lunch on the way to Baranco, then descend slowly to Baranco campsite (12,850ft) for dinner and overnight. Approx 5-7 hours of walking today.

Day 4 : 26th June : Climbing
After breakfast, we leave Baranco hut for Barafu hut (14,910ft). We will pass through the last water drop at Karanga valley on the way up. Overnight Barafu campsite. Approx 6-7 hours of walking today.

Day 5 : evening of 26th June/early morning of 27th (FULL MOON) : Climbing - Summit Day
Wake up at midnight and after a small snack, start ascending to Uhuru Peak through the Stella point (18,640ft). After reaching the summit, we will head down to Mweka camp. Approx 6-7 hours to Uhuru Peak and then 4-5 hours down to Mweka camp.

Day 6 : 28th June : Return to Moshi
After breakfast, we will head down to Mweka gate and the waiting vehicle will take you back to Moshi. Approx 3-4 hours of walking today.

How are you training?
Training is mental and physical so I’ve got my hands full preparing for this challenge.

Mentally
Well, if people would stop freaking me out, that would be nice. I’m not really concerned about the actual climb as I am about the lack of hygiene. But I’m doing things to make me feel better about camping for 6 days with no running water and therefore no showers or bathrooms - you get the idea. So I bought “No Rinse Shampoo” and “No Rinse Bodywash” and have myself fully convinced that this is just as good as a nice shower after sweating it up a mountain for many hours a day. It’s all good.

Physically
Lots of cross-training to get as fit as I can.
* Aerobic workouts include spinning twice a week and getting on the treadmill.
* Strength training includes lots of different machines to increase my upper body strength, my core, my back and my legs. So just about all of them. You should see the size of my biceps - tearing through my shirts. Incredible.
* HIKING! What better way to get ready then to actually hike? So off I go to the moutains to break in my boots and backpack. I’ve successfully gotten blisters on almost every part of my feet, but the pain builds character.

Trish