Albert, Jason, Graham, Jannie and Greg
where the operations team on the Save The Rhino Mount Kenya Climb and John was their
guide. Save The Rhino is one of the Charities that Club Millennia Supports. BUT....when
supporting the Save The Rhino Foundation, there was always one specific item that went
everywhere....a rhino costume that weighs between 9 and 11 kilograms!!!!
So you can imagine that this Climb was not all fun and games. In fact they
mentioned that you have an excruciating migraine most of the way, you are freezing, your
body has continuous aches and pains and you can not eat because you feel to sick!! And to
top it off, trying feeling this way and wearing a huge Rhino that weighs about 10kg's!!!!
And this is no typical scenario - it is all true!
The Mount Kenya Climb is a five day expedition which gives you 2½ days either way.
On Day One the team where to pick up at 10am and begin their journey to Old Moses Hut. On
Day two and day three they where to reach Shiptons Hut and the Summit of Mount Kenya and
then on day four they where to make their way back down to Old Moses Hut and on day Five
they where to arrive back in Nairobi in the late afternoon.
They had began their journey up the mountain on the Sirimon Route and reached Old
Moses Hut after 9km of climbing and they had reached the height of 3.300m above sea level.
Jason did the first walk with the Rhino Costume on (he drew the shortest straw).
And Graham and Albert added to the atmosphere with their Save The Rhino Madhatter Hats.
They definitely mad quite an impact and impression for the Rhino Foundation.
They awoke at 2am because John was very keen on leaving before the rest of
the tour groups as he thought it would be great if they could make it to Mount Lenana
before sunrise. Here they were going to start the the 700m ascent to the top of Mount
Kenya. After the previous days 7 hour hike through mud and rain, they were not to
impressed of leaving that time. And they all began to think of how they could possibly
think climbing Mount Kenya would be fun. But then they were all overwhelmed by the crystal
clear beauty before them, as each of the peaks of Mount Kenya is clearly visible in the
light of the full moon. The ghostly moonlight reflected off the snow and glaciers, and the
thrill of being up there for the cause of Rhino conservation hit them with this sudden
rush. By the impact of the sight before them, they all realised that it was only a few
hours before they reach the Ultimate destination - The Summit of Mount Kenya!!!!!
Thanks to John they made it just in time!!
The Team reached the Summit about 15 minutes before the sunrise, there was time for
them so take a couple of photographs and then set up for the big "photo shoot"
at sunrise!
Now the end of their journey began - making their way home!!! They moved down the
south-west Ridge of Lenana towards the Austrian Hut: this involves sliding down the
glacier, which Graham and Albert tried on black bin liners.
From Austrian Hut they had to climb down
very steep scree to the bottom of the Teleki Valley. They didn't realise how steep that
scree really was until they had crossed across the valley floor and started climbing up
the other side. The climb was steep but when they looked behind them and saw the slope
they had previously come down it was horribly steep. They must have been mad to attempt
it. The route back involved raining and hailing.
"Every step felt like lead and
I'm sure I felt every metre of that slope. The porter kept telling me that it was only 40
minutes back to the hut - but none of us were convinced. Oh how right we were. That climb
took us over an hour, and when we did finally reach the top we could see Shipton's Camp -
it wasn't just over the hill, but a little dot in the far distance!" Jason.
On the way down the team survived on was a cup of Lemon Tea and two marie
biscuits each! Quite remarkable! So you can imagine their excitement when they were a
breath
away from from Shipton's Camp. This was 12
hours after they were woken up to climb Point Lenana.
Unfortunately on this Expedition the team had some sad news to report. A young man
died of altitude sickness whilst on his expedition. The team had used the last of the
satellite phone batteries trying to contact the emergency services to come to the mountain
and evacuate the young man. Save The Rhino had turned into save a person. Unfortunately
their message never got through or got through too late.
The team urges everyone thinking of climbing
any high altitude mountain, either as a hiker or a as climber, to be aware of the dangers
of altitude sickness and to keep your guide and porters informed of how you are feeling.
The only cure is to go down
the mountain. It is not a disgrace to do so - just a very sensible decision. It can kill
you in less than 24 hours.
The Team arrived back to Nairobi safely and all in one piece!
AND THERE YOU HAVE THE BEHIND THE SCENES STORY OF THE MOUNT KENYA CLIMB!!!
I would like to congratulate the team for the determination and ambition they had to climb
Mount Kenya in aid of the Save The Rhino Foundation - CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!!!
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