Many kind people have told me of their stories while climbing Kilimanjaro. My Mother's Godson, Sam, said he knew lots of people who have climbed Kili but not one had a pleasant time ..... mmmmmmm ..... negative feedback I think!

Joanne & Jessica, my Mother's Goddaughters, 24 year old twins, climbed Kili in August 2008 and their Facebook pictures are amazing - this really inspired us to think about our own expedition.

Here is some extra information regarding our climb:

• We plan to go by the Machame Route, it will take 5 days up and 2 days back down. We have to climb slowly and will do anything between 5 and 7 hours of walking daily.
• The slower the pace the better chance of avoiding AMS (Altitude Mountain Sickness).
• AMS is usually the main concern for all first time climbers of Kili as no one really knows how the body will adapt to the high altitudes especially climbing up to and over 1,000mts a day the body needs as long as you can give it to get use to the air being very thin which means 30%less oxygen and the body doesn’t function to its optimum.
• Luckily for us we will have Guides and Sherpas to carry all of our equipment, mostly clothing changes, as when we start we will be shorts and T-shirts and by the time we finish we will be sleeping in minus 10 degrees. Pretty cold as we have just experienced this during Christmas 2010.
• Preparing the mind to face the mental challenge is another aspect. I suppose positive thinking is the way forward. I will, I can, and I must carry on. But I am not going to worry about that too much just yet ....... but I do understand it is not just a physical challenge but a mental one too. There is over 30% less oxygen in the atmosphere. Being fit in body is, of course, important and I think Mum has a few habits she is going to have to kick first, although she is extrmemly fit I might add.