Rush Group were delighted (and rather relieved) to welcome back James Bulford from his trek up Mt. Kilimanjaro last week.
The group of 13 set off up the tented Rongai route on a 6 day round trip up to Uhuru Peak situated at 19,341ft, accompanied by a team of 49 porters and 6 extremely experienced guides.
They started up the route walking single file through the Savannah plains, then up through green jungle, passing by blue monkeys, parrots and snakes before hitting the contrasting barrenness of the higher extremes. As they ascended the temperature and oxygen levels rapidly declined meaning walking speeds had to be monitored to try and avoid the onset of AMS (Acute Mountain Sickness), the most common deterrent for climbers reaching the peak.
After 4 days of walking the team finally approached the final camp at Kibo, situated at 16,000ft. Unfortunately for the smokers in the group, there was no chance of a cigarette as oxygen levels had now reached 50% compared to sea level, making breathing difficult. Along with recorded temperatures of -19c this made for a journey fraught with difficulties and hardship, however, they reached the summit at 8am having climbed the remaining 3,341ft for a solid 8hours. Exhausted but exhilarated, the view was incredible as the photos prove. The only downside was the realisation that they still had the descent back down the mountain to contend with!
The boys have so far managed to raise the impressive sum of £3,000 for the Motor Neurone Disease Association and would be grateful for any further donations. If you would like to make a donation please have a look at James' Just Giving site.
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