It took about 30 minutes to register with the park authorities, followed by possibly the hottest poo on record, from the Indian meal yesterday… I’m now petrified I’m going to be digging holes every 30 minutes!

To be honest it’s already harder than I thought, it’s similar to climbing up the side of Devils Dyke, but through sub tropical rain forest. The fact that we haven’t stopped for 6 hours and we still have another 4 days of ascending to go has made me realise how big this Kilimanjaro is. It’s a really strange feeling as I keep expecting to find the top. I had never thought it possible that you could keep walking up hill for this long, my calves are going to be like Arnie’s!

I can’t believe the altitude is making me fart so much, it’s unbelievable. Thinking I should have now brought nappies for nearer the summit.

Machame Camp – 3000m
We arrived at the first camp reasonably early, after approximately a 7 hour trek. The air is slightly thinner but not too noticeable. We had dinner and a hot mug of Milo and wait straight to bed… after the pain in trying to get undressed efficiently. The Milo was so comforting it reminded me of being back in Australia.

I am off with a few friends, well 7 in fact to climb Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. We will be attempting the climb by the Machame route which takes a day longer, but in theory this gives us an extra day to help acclimatise to extreme altitude. (I really don’t fancy the side effects!)

The reason we are doing this is for the Amani children’s home which is situated in Moshi at the foot of the mountain. The home started in 2002 and now looks after around 110 children, both boys and girls between the ages of 3 and 16. As well as providing a home for the children, the Amani children’s home financially support 64 children who used to be homeless whose Amani’s social workers were able to reunify with relatives. A home is great but if they can reunite the children that’s even better.

I am hoping to raise £2000 personally for the climb, with the eight of us hoping to raise at least £10,000 which we will be able to use to build the children a play ground, yes very expencice all the equipment and materials need to be imported from South Africa.

The trip is entirely self funded so all money raised will go directly to the home, if you would like to sponosre me you can sponsor me online here. Perhaps I could give you a free link for a reasonable donation?

If you are interested why not find out more information on our Kilimanjaro climb.