Kilimanjaro – International Fundraising Challenge

1st – 12th September

In September 2010 we will be heading to Tanzania in Africa to take on the international fundraising challenge Kilimanjaro.

This event will be an awesome experience and one of the biggest challenges that you have ever taken on in your life

It is not to be taken lightly and you will have to ensure you are prepared both physically and mentally before you head off to this stunning part of the world.

Trekking for 8 days, you will ascend the highest freestanding mountain in the world, taking the Lemosho Trail, reaching 5,895m at the summit.

To take part in this challenge you must pay a registration fee of £399 and then go on to raise a further £2,000 minimum fundraising sponsorship.

Places are limited, so register today by contacting the Community Team on 0151 794 1052 or by e-mail at community@bibbyline.co.uk

Itinerary

Day 1

We depart the UK from a London Airport on our overnight flight.

Day 2 - Arusha

Upon arrival, we are met by our local guides and then transfer to Arusha. We then check into our Hotel for dinner and overnight. Tonight there will be a briefing about our challenge.

Day 3 - Londorossi Gate to Mti Mkubwa (Big Tree Camp) 2,800m

Today we drive from Arusha onto Londorossi Gate were we will register at the main gate (please note the guides have a lot to do at this point, so it can take a little time). From Londorossi Gate, we continue to drive through a forest track to reach the Lemosho Glades. Once at Lemosho Glades, we begin trekking!!

Today’s trek is approx 3 – 5 hours long through the rain forest until we reach our camp – BIG TREE! Take it SLOWLY today, take the time to enjoy the scenery and the rich flora and fauna around us – remember our challenge has only just begun!!

Day 4 - Big Tree camp – Shira Cave 1 - 3,400m

A full 8 hours of trekking begins after breakfast, as we continue to ascend across the dense rain forest, with the trekking path is gradually becoming steeper before reaching the giant moor land zone.

We push on across the moorland to G & M One valley for lunch. After lunch we cross the high altitude desert plateau Shira Caldera before reaching our camp for the night Shira Cave (approx 3,400m).

The Shira Caldera is a remote area that is rarely trekked or seen by the human eye, and is the third of Kilimanjaro’s volcanic cones. Expect to see our first close views of Kibo – the summit cone of Mount Kilimanjaro!!

Take a jersey with you today, as it cools down considerably during and after lunch. Again, keep your wet weather gear handy and some snacks for the route. Drink plenty of water. The camp at Shira is a pretty cold campsite - we may get rain or sleet.

Day 5 - Shira Cave 1 – Shira Hut – 3,900m

Today we trek for approx 5 hours climbing about 500m from Shira Cave to our camp at Shira Hut.

We begin after breakfast, trekking gently across the Shira Plateau to our camp via Shira Cathedral. The views on this day are very special, especially from the top of the ridge. It is an excellent place on this route for acclimatisation as we are gaining altitude slowly

Day 6 - Shira Hut to Barranco Hut/Camp – 3,900m

Expect to be trekking today for up to 7 - 10 hours as we turn east from Shira Hut and continue our climb.

We first cross a small desert and rocky landscapes that surround the Lava Tower, the climb will take us over Lava Tower (approx 4,600m) offering spectacular views of the great Barranco Valley, before we descend to Barranco Camp.

After reaching the high altitude of 4,600m at Lava Tower, the benefits of this acclimatisation day will become clear and should stand you in good stead for the ascent to the top

Day 7 - Barranco Hut/Camp – Karanga Valley – 4,100m

A full 5 hours of trekking today, that will see us tested immediately as we tackle the awesome volcanic rock barrier known as the Great Barranco Wall (locally known as breakfast!!).

Once we reach the top of the Barranco Wall, we will appreciate how beautiful Kilimanjaro really is as we admire the views of Mount Meru and the plains below. From here we continue trekking through the scree, ridges and valleys to our camp at Karanga Valley.

Day 8 - Karanga Valley – Barafu Hut – 4,600m

After our breakfast, the climb continues. Here, we head left (North) and follow the trail up the broad ridge to Barafu Hut for our dinner and where we will spend the night. Today also aids our acclimatisation as we ascend through sections of scree and rock, then descend down into the Valleys - approx 5 hours of trekking reaching an altitude of 4,600m

Learn to pace yourself with your breathing - do not try to rush to catch up with anyone, go at your own, most comfortable speed and you will arrive at base camp relatively comfortably. Listen to your guide/s, they will help you. It will be very cold today - especially when you stop for lunch and rest - dress warmly, again you may expect some sleet on this day. You will be walking through the cloud. After supper, drink as much tea as possible, settle down for an early night – the summit awaits us tomorrow!

Day 9 - Summit Day!! Barafu Hut – Uhuru Peak – 5,895m

Today is a very long and strenuous day. We will be woken at about 12am with tea and a biscuit, then we’ll prepare for or summit trek.

We will be climbing up scree for approximately 4-5 hours. The views from the mountain (on the way up) are spectacular - we gain incredible height over a short distance.

We then arrive at Stella Point (5,750 m), just at the top of the crater, where we can have a rest - the sun should be shining now! From here, we continue on a relatively easy path up to Uhuru peak (5,895 m), the highest point in Africa. It is here that you realise that we have just conquered Kilimanjaro - the highest mountain in Africa!

We will then descend from Stella to Barafu. Depending on the timing of our summit, we will be able to have a short rest here (maybe a sleep) and something to eat, before continuing down to the Millennium Camp.

Day 10 - Millenium Camp – Mweka Gate

Our final 6 hours of trekking today! An early start - after breakfast we start descending down to Mweka Gate to meet our waiting driver who will transfer us back to the Moivaru Hotel in Arusha. This days trekking is through lush rain forest, and pretty gentle sloping tracks passing local farms and plantations near Kidia.

Once back at the hotel, we will have time to just relax, take a very satisfying and much deserved long hot shower, freshen up - ready to celebrate our achievements. A late night may be had by all we suspect!

Day 11 - Bon Voyage to Kilimanjaro

After breakfast we catch a shuttle for transfer to the Airport to catch our flight back to the UK. Those participants wishing to extend their stay will do so from today.

Day 12 - Arrive UK

We will arrive back into London early morning.