Caspar Nelson - Head of Brand Communications
So Kili is finally here. If I'm honest, that is a slight concern.
We're in the middle of defining what our 2010 advertising looks
like, and there's a serious amount of work to do before we depart
for Tanzania. On top of that the majority of my training seems to
have consisted of walking up the stairs of camping shops to buy
ridiculously expensive 'trekking kit' I'll probably never use
again. At this point I'd like to be fitter and all that jazz, but
I'm sure it will all be fine.
Preparations have included lengthy walks with my Mum over the
south downs, a fair amount of cycling and almost daily arguments
with my wife about trimming my beard.
I don't really know what to expect when we get to Tanzania, but I
am anticipating stepping off the plane, seeing a ruddy large hill
and experiencing a feeling of impending doom. Unless I can calm
my nervous during our stop over in Amsterdam, in which case I
probably won't care and will more interested in finding out what
the local tea and cake is like.
I won't be taking anything special to keep myself entertained
during the trip, just the ambiguous iPod and Blackberry combo.
I'm hoping the wit, charm and friendly banter of my fellow
climbers will be than enough entertainment.
I goes without saying the one thing I'll really miss while we are
away is the missus, this will be by far the most amount of time
we've spend apart since we met, so being apart for 10 days will
be a challenge in itself.
Nick Wright - Academy Manager
Only 2 weeks to go and¦ I'm feeling really good about the climb, I've
now been off alcohol for 22 days and feel great for it - this is
my longest alcohol free period in over 6 years.¦I'm reading about
different people's experiences on the mountain and getting more
excited with each one.
Training is going really well. I've been doing lots of running,
walking and weights and I'm doing a further walk at Kinder scout
in the Peak tomorrow.
My only real fear is the altitude sickness, as it is a bit of a
lottery. I'm confident about my physical condition but know that
this could be irrelevant if I suffer from altitude sickness. I'm
not sure how I'll deal with it if I do suffer, as I know I'll
want to continue, I'm hoping I'll be sensible enough to stop
before I do any permanent damage! I'm trying to exercise whilst
I'm on the highest level on the altitude machine to prepare
myself as much as I can.
I've had my jabs for yellow fever and typhoid and have also got
my malaria tablets, so the vaccinations are sorted, and I think
I've now got all of my kit although the next challenge is fitting
it into the bags. I suppose I'll only find out if I missed
something when I'm on the mountain!!
The hardest thing for me on the climb will be missing my two
sons, Charlie (7) and Jude (6). This will be the longest duration
I've not seen them. I'm hoping I will be able to keep in touch
via text as I'll miss them so much.
Fundraising has been going well, I'm over £2,500 now and there's
still a bit more to come in. Thanks to everyone for their
generosity in both donating and providing items to auction.
Suzanne Ford-Hutchinson - Compliance and Audit Manager
So with only three days to go, it is all becoming so real.
Excitement is being balanced out by an equal amount of nerves as
to what the climb will bring. Typical fears keep haunting my sub
conscious, such as will I be fit enough, how will I cope with the
altitude, have I packed everything, what about the toilet
situation?!?
My husband says I've been fidgeting like mad the last few
weeks in my sleep. I only need to remind myself for a second
however why it is I'm putting myself through this and it
makes me so determined to complete the challenge. Having
Ellis' family on the trip will be a constant reminder of just
how important it is to get to the top and make this difference
for teenage cancer suffers across the UK.
Not to mention I think we all have our own personal reasons for
putting ourselves through this. It's going to be tough
leaving the husband behind for 10 days, as he has been with me
every step of the way throughout my training and it will be weird
not having him as my walking buddy.
I have 29 new ones though that I can't wait to get to know a
bit better. I'm just about there with my new fundraising
target. We had some fun with football tournaments and back
packing events to name but a few, and my mother in law (who is a
painter) is in the process of raffling off one of her prints for
me... People have been very generous.
Well I'm just looking forward to putting foot to Kilimanjaro
soil and getting on with it now - wish me luck!
Dave Robertson - IT Service Delivery Manager
So here we are 48 hrs until the coach leaves sunny Stoke to head
off to Africa, but that's' only part of the journey, the overall
process started along time ago back in July-09.
What started out as a good idea seems to have consumed my waking
and sleeping (or recently more accurately not sleeping) life to
the point where I just need to do it now and get it done! But hey
how hard can it be Chris Moyles did it or so I am told by
everybody I come into contact with!
The truth is it will be hard mentally and physically and it will
most likely be the most gruelling thing I will ever have done,
but you know what I think I am in a good place to complete it.
I owe that to my family who have tirelessly supported my weekend
walks, my fad diets and my abstinence from booze not to mention
the countless spending I have done on clothing and probably
pointless accessories that help me mentally feel more prepared
and of course the beard, how can I forget the beard, I can't, I
get reminded every time I look in the mirror that I haven't
shaved or cut my hair since 30th Sept-09 all in the name of
charity!
I also owe it to my great friends, friends who have come out with
me in the rain and the snow over the last 6 months not because
they are going to Kili but because they are helping me train and
also the new found friendships that I have made in Phones4U with
guys that are coming on the trip, it's a big group and its not
always easy to get close to everyone but I will definitely come
down the mountain with more friends than I had back in July-09.
With 48hrs to go though the emotions are mixed, I think I have
done everything I could do to give me the best possible chance of
getting up that hill! I've walked regularly from Day 1, I have
lost weight (not as much as I would have liked but that's life),
I have made good use of the altitude training equipment and I
have increased my physical fitness sufficiently, so why can't I
sleep?
Why do I feel like this, people ask if I am excited and I falter
before saying yes. I think I know the answer and that's because
it ain't gonna be no walk in the park, this is serious and if I
want to get the top I have to take it seriously, listen to what I
am told to do, take the tablets, walk slowly, breath deep, drink
lots of water and if I get a chance, enjoy it cos it's only going
to be happening once.¦
Really though I am massively excited, I can't wait this is once
in a lifetime experience and in 48hrs it's all going to come
together so driver bring on the coach and lets' get going.
Ed Lawrance - Commercial Operations Manager
There is now less than a week to go before we start the trek up
the mountain and at the moment I can't really say that there is
one emotion that sums up how I'm feeling right now. I've started
to question all parts of my preparation and even as the trip gets
closer I'm not sure that I have fully grasped the size of the
task that I've taken on.
If you read other climbers blogs of their experiences you can
build images in your mind of what it's like, but recently these
images have become more like scenes from space disaster movies so
I've tried to avoid such accounts. Also, I've not yet heard from
anyone that failed to reach the summit, so I think there is an
unwritten rule that says 'those that don't conquer Kili, don't
talk about Kili.
It's now been 6 months since I was given the golden ticket to
take part in the challenge and I've started to forget about life
before Kilimanjaro. My house looks like the inside of a camping
shop, the space in my fridge previously occupied by beer is being
rented by health food, my face has been abducted by a hairy (but
small) chipmunk and I'm now medically covered against all kinds
of diseases I don't think an outbreak of the black plague would
affect me.
I think once I'm on the plane to Africa and the planning is over
I think the fun will start and I'll get answers to all my
questions, such as am I fit enough? Will my body keep going under
total exhaustion? Have I taken enough stuff? Will there be phone
signal on the mountain and more importantly what's the food
like???
Mel Dixon - Social Media Manager
I've packed nuts and red liquorice, socks and toiletries, got a
new dress for when we are back at the hotel and plenty of music
and photos on my phone to keep me going! (Oh and I look like a 5
year old in my thermal underwear!)
I am officially ready to go!¦
Mentally however, I may have some planning to do! Homesickness
has started to kick in and we've not even left Stoke yet! I'm
moving in with my fella when I'm back so these are his last few
days of living life as a bachelor! And my first ever time in
Africa.. So exciting times for us both! I think!
I am looking forward to this huge adventure, with close friends,
and hopefully some new friends by the end of the trip! I hope
that everyone's worries will be laid to rest once we get there
and we can work as a team and have a giggle.
If I've forgotten anything I'm hoping that someone will have it
and if they havn't then I probably don't need it!
I've stocked up on various items that 'I've been told' work for
altitude sickness, amongst which is a jar of marmite! So even if
it doesn't work, my toast is going to taste AMAZING in the
mornings!
I'll be keeping you updated with the trials and tribulations of
mountain life throughout the trek. So watch this space, and SEE
YOU AT THE TOP!
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