A Climbers Diary

Day 5 - 24/02/09             
The Trek Continues - 06.30hrs
Simba Camp - 2700m

A reasonable nights sleep last night. Stan tried to get off at 20.00hrs but I kept him awake reading and rustling around in my kit and my bag getting everything ready for tomorrow. It was thunderstorm central last night as the rainy season arrived big time. I got up at midnight to film the lightening and have a pie and mash before getting back into the bag for some broken sleep. We’re off soon and it’s a big day today. 8 hours or so of fairly steep walking.

The highlight of the mornings proceedings was Trev’s emergence from his tent. It was his first night EVER under canvas and what a baptism.  2700 metres up the highest mountain in Africa and a thunderstorm virtually all night to boot. Anyway, Stan and I were first up and out then Trev emerged. Stan enquired how he slept only to have Trev promptly throw up in the door of the tent. He was sick again before we set off (fortunately I managed to get a photo of him in action this time!) and Trev’s camping partner Guy was very sympathetic enquiring “Can I move in with you Dave” rather than “How are you feeling Trev”.

Well breakfast is now done and we’re off. Speak later.

Day 5- 24/02/09             
The Trek Continues - 19.30hrs
Kikelelwa Cave - 3600m
Duration 9 hrs - Height Gain 900m

It’s been a tough day today for a number of reasons. Mixed emotions all round for us as Trev kept being sick on the way up and couldn’t keep down any liquid or food. He made it to the lunch stop at 2nd Cave (3200m) but the decision to carry on was taken away from him by Naiman our guide leader who said it was too much for him to continue as he was both exhausted and suffering from Acute Mountain Sickness. We’re all gutted and flat despite the blitz humour of wind ups and digs that we all live by on these trips. We all want to make it to the top for our own personal reasons but it won’t be the same without Trev and his humour there. He took the decision well though and we have since had a text saying that he is ok. We were initially really worried but now we know he is OK we’re all a bit happier so we are going to check to see if it’s a record for the lowest ever incidence of AMS and present him with a certificate when we get back to UK (NB We have since checked and there is one record of a Canadian woman suffering AMS lower than Trev so he does hold the Male Mountain Record and will be awarded appropriately).

We think that the Shermans in our group find our humour a bit strange especially as we are talking in cockney rhyming slang a lot of the time but they are coming round and having the odd lesson in the language and are picking it up quickly as are the guides. The guides love the wind ups and the banter and they were particularly impressed when we told them Guy thought there was a cable car, hotel / spa plus an extreme sports resort at the summit. The rest of the group were in on it as well and Guy is now denying it despite the fact he paid for all of the non existent attractions.

Anyway……today…….

Pretty long and challenging in places, but not too tough. Stopping for a pee break then trying to catch up certainly proved that there is less oxygen in the air up here, and we get out of puff a lot easier at this altitude. Arrived eventually at Kikilelwa cave with sore feet, stiff shoulders, and a very mild headache. I think the headache was as a result of the sun and the shoulders were almost certainly as a result of carrying Trevs bag for a few hours to make it a bit easier for him. A footbath and warm jacket helped at camp and the Diamox is making my feet tingle. My hands also occasionally tingle as well. Wee breaks are a must  as we are drinking a lot and the Diamox is a diuretic adding to the fun! I am carrying a lot of water as I want to stay on bottled for a couple of days to avoid sickness risk. Today I lugged 8 litres of water plus my day pack up the hill and only drank 4 plus I spilt ½  litre over my newly dried coat. Add Trev’s bag into the mix and the days carriage was towards 20kg.
Spent a of time struggling with my useless Camelback only to realise it was the useless operator that was the problem. I was turning the On switch so far into the On position that it was almost round to OFF again and I couldn’t draw much water through the feed pipe. Best test all kit next time round!

The camp here at Kikilelwa is awesome with unbelievable views across Kenya and a babbling brook running through a small ravine by the side of our tent to our left. Within an hour of arrival it was slashing it down and the babbling brook turned into a raging torrent that would keep us awake.

I need the loo. Didn’t go yesterday and just mentioned to Stan that I am going to nip out “for a wilide” rather than risk the shacks or the tardis as we had a slight break in the weather but no sooner had I mentioned it than the heavens opened again.  On a similar subject the altitude, the awesome food we’re eating, and also the drugs to combat altitude and sickness that we are taking means that it is very personal in the Stangroom / Hughes residence. Add feet and boots into the equation and all I can say is that it’s a good job we don’t own a canary!!

Sleep time now….See you in the morning.