Kath climbs Kilimanjaro

It was a tough week last week, adjusting to my new training regime. I came down with a cold which seemed to wipe me out. But I pressed on. I find it really hard using the free weights and maintaining correct posture. And it seems at the gyms I go to, there are only guys using the free weights, likes it’s a guys only area. And then they all stare at you when you come into the room. Totally weird. A lot of my training now is using free weights, whereas before I was on the machines.

I am finding the flatness of London not very helpful for my running either, its like you can run for miles on the flat but the minute you hit a hill it is so full on.

On the weekend I went walking in the south of Wales, at a place called the Brecon Beacons. This was hillier than the Southdowns walk so better practice for Kili. We did the waterfalls walk and splashed around behind the big waterfall – it was freezing – much colder than any NZ fresh water. Then the next day we did the highest mountain there called Pen Y Fan. This was a reasonably tough hike, with amazing views, climbing between small peaks and then along the ridge. The track was quite rocky a lot of the way, and my new boots got a hard workout, as did my legs. But it was good fun. Some of our group ended up mud-sliding most of the way down the last slope and then we dived into the icy reservoir to clean off. Although we did note that swimming is forbidden there, we couldn’t understand why so leapt in anyway. I don’t seem to have come down with any rare diseases thus far so it was probably ok to go in.

Just so you get a feel for what I’m actually doing, so you can come along for part of the ride!!

CLOTHING &GENERAL TREKKING/CAMPING EQUIPMENT

• WALKING BOOTS – well worn in & waterproofed!
• Walking socks x 4 pairs
• Several T-shirts / wicking trekking tops
• Shorts x 2
• Trekking Trousers x 1 (zip-off trousers ideal)
• Loose long-sleeved shirt x 1
• Warm jumper / good quality fleece
• Waterproof trousers
• Gaiters
• Waterproof windproof jacket – Gore-tex or equivalent standard
• Tracksuit bottoms – good for sleeping in or as spares to trek in
• Thermals or something warm to sleep in
• Thermal or down jacket for cold evenings
• Warm hat & gloves (hand-warmers also useful)
• Sun block (min factor 30) & lipsalve (total sun-block)
• Aftersun / skin moisturiser
• Hat / cap for sun protection
• Sunglasses
• Small towel
• Swimming costume – optional
• Underwear and socks
• Spare set of clothes for Moshi
• Trainers / spare footwear (for the evenings)
• water bottle – 1–2 litres (if you prefer to use a platypus insulate the tube as it will freeze)
• Sleeping bag (4 season minimum – warm enough to sleep in at -10°C)
• Light sleeping mat (Therm-a-rest style ideal)
• Rubber-tipped trekking poles – optional; useful if you are unsteady on uneven ground
• Sleeping bag liner – for extra warmth (silk best for warmth and weight)
• Comfortable 35+ litre daypack – to carry your waterproofs/water bottle/fleece/camera/first aid kit etc. as you will not be able to access your main pack until camp each day

Although warm by day, and hot on the valley floor, altitude has a great effect on temperatures and it will get cooler as you climb higher. It will also be cold at night, sometimes below freezing, especially near the summit. The evenings will be cold; our highest camp is at 4600m. There will be frost on the tents in the morning. One pair of thermals would be a good idea as well as lots of layers to wear in camp.

OTHER EQUIPMENT

• Whistle
• Water purification tablets (small pack for back-up only)
• torch & spare battery (head torch recommended)
• 1 roll of toilet paper & small plastic bags (fragranced nappy bags are best)
• Snacks/energy bars/dextrose tablets
• Ear-plugs (if you are a light sleeper)
• wash kit, including wet-wipes
• large plastic bags to keep things dry inside your rucksack
• Camera & film / spare batteries / memory cards etc. (little opportunity to recharge)
• alarm clock
• Insect repellent
• Liquid handwash (waterless type)

PERSONAL FIRST AID KIT

to be carried in your day-pack

• Imodium / Arret (diarrhoea tablets)
• Antihistamines
• Dioralyte (rehydration sachets)
• Nurofen / Paracetamol
• Plasters and blister dressings (such as Compeed)
• Any medication you regularly take or that you take while exercising

ADDITIONAL PACKING ADVICE

It is best to wear your walking boots on the flight.
Remember not to pack any penknives, scissors, tweezers etc in your hand luggage.
Trekking poles should also not be carried on as hand-luggage. They should be packed into your main bag – dismantling them makes them smaller but if they don’t fit, the best option is to secure them well and label them separately in case they become detached.
It is best not to pack anything valuable into the side pockets of the bag you check in – items have been known to go missing.

There is this horrible, evil little thing in the UK that no one ever told me about, that attacks you when you’re least expecting it, attaching itself to you with piercing stings, and leaves you developing white lumps all over your body, coming up in a rash and itching like heck. STINGING NETTLE. Why did no one inform me of this icky plant species??

We were out hiking, taking a detour that lasted at least an hour and ended up with us getting lost, stung and nowhere in the direction we were supposed to be going.

Other than those and a few other minor setbacks, our hiking trip in the Southdowns was amazing. Walking along ridges, through fields, across the Seven Sisters and generally breathing some nice fresh sea air. Sore legs/muscles, sore all over. Great experience though. There is more where that came from, so keep posted.

New Training Phase

I have moved into the Toning Phase of my training now. It is more intense and more complicated. I am also upping the cardio as I have not been doing enough. Lots of gym time working muscles, doing 4 reps on each machine with 1 minute breaks. Hopefully this is all doing something good!

British Military Fitness was on today, so off I trotted with Charlotte and Sharon for a Nazi style workout. Boot Camp mania. Sprints, sit-ups, press-ups, squats and more, it never ended and there was no way you were allowed to stop. Unsure if I will keep up with that one but shall see what happens.

Onwards and upwards I go, Kilimanjaro here we come!!