08/10/2008

Follow your Dream !!!


Neill's dream to climb Mt Kilimanjaro in Tanzania

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"The man who succeeds above his fellows

is the one who early in life clearly discerns his object,

and towards that object habitually directs his powers."


Earl Nightingale


Mt Kilimanjaro - the highest mountain in Africa

&

That is what he did !!!

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Enjoy the journey with Neill & Roger - a friend & work colleague from

The Island Gurnsey - UK


Guess where I am going ....????


A final cheeky / excited pose for Mum sporting his

Cape Town to Kilimanjaro T-shirt

A final Au Revoir at OR Tambo Airport - Johannesburg

before Neill & Roger fly off to Tanzania to embark on their

Mt Kilimanjaro Climbing Adventure


Richard & Ricki welcomed & hosted Neill & Roger in Dar es Salaam where they kindly introduced them to the local foods and drinks. One being the Kilimanjaro Beer which was most appropriate seeing that their Kilimanjaro Adventure was about to start in two days time.


Thanks so much Richard and Ricki ... you are just a fabulous couple !!
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After a great time spent with Richard & Ricki ... Neill & Roger took a bus from Dar es Salaam to Moshi.

This was far better than flying as they saw so much more of the scenery of Tanzania enroute ... & also got to meet local Tanzanians travelling with them


Springlands Hotel near Moshi in Tanzania


This is the Zara International base for mountain walking trips and safaris to Kilimanjaro, Mount Meru and other wilderness areas in Northern Tanzania.

The modern hotel located on the southern slopes of Kilimanjaro has a large and modern swimming pool, airy dining area set in pleasant gardens and indoor and outdoor bars.
The hotel is named after the freshwater springs just a short distance from the hotel. These are fed by the rains and melting snows of Kilimanjaro and are of the highest purity.The springs then feed an extensive area of paddy fields beyond which lies a protected forest reserve. This supports a rich wildlife and provides relaxing walks to see the birds and several species of monkey.

The hotel has its own borehole and benefits from this wonderful location. The rooms all have windows fitted with mosquito netting and fans, and all have roomy, tiled en-suite facilities with showers.

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St Judes School

Before going on safari to Arusha National Park


Roger & Neill payed a visit to St Judes School where Roger and his family sponsor a student with studies


A Safari to Arusha National Park Before Climbing Mt Kilimanjaro





Arusha National Park

This small but beautiful National Park near Kilimanjaro Airport. Arusha and Moshi provides an ideal destination for day's safari or to relax in after an ascent of Kili or Mt Meru in one of the lodges in the park.
As well as having an abundance of wildlife Arusha National Park has three special features: Mt Meru, Momela Lakes and the Ngurdoto Crater. Mt. Meru, Tanzania's second highest peak at 4566m, is one of Africa's most beautiful volcanoes. The route to the summit passes through parkland, montane forest, a giant heather zone and moorland. Finally, the summit is reached by a narrow, barren ridge which provides stunning views of the Ash Cone lying several thousand feet below in the crater and Kilimanjaro in the background. Over 400 species of birds, rhino, elephant, buffalo, baboon, warthog, black and white Colobus monkey and duiker are all found in this delightful "gem amongst parks".

The Ngurdoto Crater

stretches 3 km's across; it is a steep-sided bowl surrounded by riverine forest. The crater floor is a lush swamp with many visible animal trials and provides a natural sanctuary to many animals, including elephant, buffalo, a variety of monkeys, baboons and birds since it is prohibited for tours to descend down to the bottom of the crater. To the west of the crater an extensive grassland plain, Serengeti Ndogo.




Machame Park Gate

The start to the climb up Mt Kilimanjaro

At 1800m, from where steepening trails begin & lead through natural rain forest to a campsite in a clearing on a ridge, (3000m, 5h.).

Machame Route
Sometimes called the Whisky Route.

This is a popular 49km route up steep paths through magnificent forests to gain a ridge leading through the moorland zones to the Shira Plateau. It then traverses beneath the glaciated precipices of the Southern Icefields to join the Barafu Route to the summit. An extra day could be added to the itinerary, best spent on the Shira Plateau, where you could walk to the Shira Needles.

Strong groups could omit camping at Karanga River.

The Mweka Route is used for the descent.



The path continues up a moorland ridge through giant heathers. It gradually becomes rocky before levelling out on the Shira Plateau. (3840m, 4-5h.).
A rocky path leads east up towards the Lava Tower, dramatic views of the Breach Wall precipices. Shortly beyond this it descends to Barranco campsite (3950m, 4-5h.).
Scramble easily to the top of the Great Barranco and then a traverse over screes and ridges to the Karanga Valley campsite (3h, 4000m.), beneath the icefalls of the Southern Glaciers.
The trail ascends a ridge to a campsite by the Barafu Hut, an airy location with little vegetation (3h, 4600m.),

Accommodation on the mountain is in tents which the porters will pitch for you.
You will need a sleeping bag, warm clothes and walking poles. This is a steep, tough trek within the limits of a fit individual used to walking in mountain areas.


Mount Meru

Mount Meru is one of Africa's highest and most beautiful volcanoes.


Start just after midnight for the ascent of the screes leading to Stella Point

(6h, 5725m.)

.... and arrive at sunrise.

From here a further 40minutes leads to Uhuru Peak to summit Mt Kilimanjaro.

WE MADE IT TO THE TOP of AFRICA !!!


A DREAM COME TRUE !!!


Neill & Roger with the fantastic Kilimanjaro Porters and Guides

Who helped to make the Dream a possibility

THANK YOU

Kilimanjaro guides all receive a licence to work on Kilimanjaro from the National Park. Without this they are unable to operate as guides. The licence is obtained after several years of experience of working on the mountain as porters or cooks then as assistant guides after which they attend courses in First Aid, Mountain Rescue, Flora and Fauna and History.
From the guides that have acquired their guide qualification Zara select those that have worked with Zara in the past and have an excellent record of working on the mountain.

Their professionalism is hard to rival anywhere in the world and one of their prime objectives will be to help you achieve your dream and gain the summit of Kilimanjaro, safely.

If at any stage they suggest you should turn back then trust them, respect their experience - they must have an excellent reason for this as this is one of their last resorts.

Neill receiving his certificate certifying that he summited Mt Kilimanjaro

on the

3/10/2008

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"Always dream and shoot higher than you know how to.

Don't bother just to be better than your contemporaries or predecessors.

Try to be better than yourself."

William Faulkner


NEVER FAIL TO FOLLOW YOUR DREAMS

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