Climbing Kili for Cancer Kids Update

Hi there Folks,

The Team summited the peak Saturday after one hellish day of hiking and are still currently on the mountain:

Day 5 – Kibo Hut (4,700 meters) to Uhuru Peak (5,895 meters) and then Horombo Hut (3,720 meters):
Distance: ~5.5km / 3 miles ascent and then 15km / 8 mile descent
Trekking time: 6- 8 hours to the summit and then 5- 8 hours to Horombo Hut
Zone: Glacial zone, high alpine zone and low alpine zone

Day five begins at midnight, after being awoken with tea and biscuits you will begin your ascent in the dark across a rocky path to the first check point, Hans Meyer Cave at 5,150 meters. You should have a break here and refuel on an energy bar. The path then zigzags and increases in steepness as you approach Gilman’s Point 2- 3 hours later at 5,681 meters. You are now on Kibo’s crater rim, a huge achievement!

But you still have a 200 meter ascent to trek to the summit, Uhuru Peak (5,895 meters). Dig deep to find the reserves and mental stamina to push you up the final slopes. At Uhuru Peak you will be able to stay briefly before descending back to Kibo Hut and on to Horombo Hut. In total you will be trekking upwards of 12- 16 hours. It will be one of the longest days of your life but well worth it! Here’s the good news, beers can be bought at Horombo Hut!

Murray Le Roux got taken ill on the mountain and had to turn back 2 days ago. He is fine and just waiting for the rest of the Team to make it back to base camp. In the meantime he posted some pics of the trip for us to see…

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The Team still have a long day ahead of them tomorrow (Monday) and should arrive back at base camp around early evening:

Day 6 – Horombo Hut (3,720 meters) to Marangu Gate (1,870 meters):
Distance: ~20km / 13 miles
Trekking time: 6- 8 hours
Zone: Low alpine zone and rainforest

The final day from Horombo Hut to Marangu Gate (1,870 meters) is a long one, nearly 20km! Your knees will be sore from the previous days hike so go slowly and make sure of your footing as you descend, using your trekking poles to limit the impact on your joints. At Marangu Gate, the place where you signed in 6 days ago, you will now sign-out. Those who got as far as Gilman’s Point but no further will be presented with a green certificate. Trekkers who made it all the way to Uhuru Peak will receive a gold certificate. Most trekkers present their trekking team with their hard earned tips at this stage before being driven back to your hotel for a well- deserved hot shower!

Wishing those still hiking a safe trip down and as we say innie Kaap “Hou Bene, Hou!”

Once again Little Fighters Cancer Trust would like to congratulate ALL our Kili Climbers and thanks them for their valiant climb in the face of difficult terrain and freezing cold to raise Awareness for Childhood Cancer and Fundraise for Little Fighters Cancer Trust.

We are sure that once the rest of the team are down we will have many more fantastic photos to share with you all – in the meantime, thanks Murray for these 🙂

Please support this effort by donating whatever you can to support Children with Cancer in South Africa

DONATIONS

Donations can be made via the following methods:

SMS “KILI” to 40770 to donate a once-off R20 to the Little Fighters Cancer Trust

Make a Donation via our Back-a-Buddy Page

Bank Deposits (Please mark your deposit “KILI”)

Bank Details:

Account Holder: Little Fighters Cancer Organization
Bank: FNB Paarl Mall
Account No: 622 777 83249
Branch code: 250057
Swift code for international donations: FIRNZAJJ
Trust Reg No: IT2817/2010

PayPal – Donations

The Little Fighters Cancer Trust will appreciate any show of Support by ways of a donation. 100% of funds raised will be used by the Little Fighters Cancer Trust to provide Support to Children with Cancer across South Africa.

Corporate donors who would like to be issued with Section 18A Tax Certificate and BBEEE Documentation, can contact Mandie Erasmus from the Little Fighters Cancer Trust directly on 073 729 6155 or mandie@littlefighters.org.za .

The Little Fighters Cancer Trust is a registered NPO with PBO status and is a Level 4 BBEEE Contributor. For more information, please feel free to visit our website and join us on social media, either on our Facebook Page or on Twitter @LFCancerTrust