Day 1 - How slow can you go

The moment had arrived! Three month of tireless worry and fundraising had past now we were finally ready to begin our ascent of Kili.

We had one final surprise around the corner before we set off. The road here are rarely tarmac, now that we are on the lower slope of the mountain shrouded in tropical rain forest was now a true test of 4x4 machinery. Our first land rover lost a fan belt, apparently a common occurrence here. We were descended upon by possibly two hundred children. Originally timid they soon joined Simon's waving games then slapping hands. Dean's i pod and tunes proved a riot and did Nigel's picture display on his camera. These scenes. were just like those you would see with a celebrity in Comic relief. It's amazing how these totally unplanned moments prove to be the most memorable.

After soon quick repairs we soon arrived at the base of the Rongai route. We were off! Slowly, very slowly. I have talked about the need for patience and discipline. I did not anticipate anything this slow at the beginning. If you imagine the slowest speed that you could walk and half it. I found myself pausing mid stride to slow down. The team joked I had two yellow cards in the first half mile for over taking our guide
... It was painfully slow, however, this was in our best interest to acclimatize to the altitude. Later I strode out a couple of short section to have some fun, the heart was soon racing and the lunges took a lot longer to recover.

The path wound its way through an amazing variety of flora. Beginning in woodland which opened up into farmland growing potatoes and peas into rain forest and finally tundra. We had a fleeting siting of Columbus monkeys. A preceding group of Americans chased them into the forest for a better view... Living up to their reputation. Still a sighting!

We crawled along for three hours climbing eight hundred meters to 2,700, more than twice the height of Ben Nevis. I can feel the altitude, a slight dizziness and headache which cleared when we stopped. Then there is altitude flatulence. Enough said.

A thoroughly enjoyable day, the team have bonded very well. We talked the whole way today.

I look forward to another fantastic day tomorrow and finding a reception to send this message.

Emmanuel's a happy man!

He is Cheryl Cole's host when the Comic Relief circus hits town. They have 140 porters, hot showers matresses, bottled water, extra acclimatization days. Not quite the real spirit.

It's HUGE!!

Today we have faced the shear scale of the task lying in front of us for the first time. For one I was not prepared for it.

For seven fascinating hours we bounced and swerved along the African highways. We past two impressive mountains which met with a cry from the back of the bus "is that Kili?" then I was woken from my slumber. "there she is" cried Nigel. OMG I have seen nothing like it, she grew out of the African plain absolutely towering over it. Her snow crested peak majestically looking down on the surrounding lands like the Queens crown does from her throne.

Prior to this moment I had not quite understood the phrase highest free standing mountain in the world. Aren't all mountains free standing? It may be me being dim, this mountain stands alone in its splendor, other higher peak are part of vast mountain ranges. As a result kili's summit appears half way up the skyline. Today we were blessed with a fantastic view as the clouds cleared and the sun exposed an awful lot of snow on its peak. This is a BIG challenge, so much more than I have done before. One I am determined to beat.

We have all the support we could need - 33 sherpers! Bags, tents food water and also including a doctor. However outrageous that may sound. The BBC are using the same tour group to us, they have in excess of 140 to support 9 climbers plus 18 crew. Dare I suggest the celebs will not be slumbing it...

After 29.5 hours of travel I am shattered its time to turn in for the night full of anticipation for the days ahead.

Ouma

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Humility

I have experienced many emotions in the build up to this trip. On our flight to Nairobi I have rediscovered a feeling that I rarely experience at home - humility.

It is all too easy to sit in the comfort of our homes and watch the news in a rather cold objective manner. In truth we find it difficult relate to the chilling scenes beamed to our tv. I am siting next to Commander Ouma of the British Army. A Kenyon national who proudly serves our Queen. Yesterday he escorted two bodies back to RAF Brisnorton. He is on his way home to see child for the first time. There may be a little poetic license to some of his stories, however, one thing is for certain Ouma has seen all manner of things that you and I can't and do not want to comprehend.

"what is your hell is our home"
"the Army turns boys into men, men into soldiers, soldiers into killer" Commander Ouma

The perspective of the challenge which awaits me suddenly feels very different!
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Challenge number one - get out of Milton Keynes

Succeed but not without Anxiety!

A bit of a panic this morning... The snow falls this morning had MK at a virtual stand still. It took me 50 to get across the city and M1 junction grid locked...

Now we are laughing sat in the pub at Heathrow. A little nervous of what lies in store and rapidly growing more p****d with a temperamental phone which I am hoping will allow me to update you on the climb

What lies ahead?
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Pre-event nerves & excitement

It’s 24 hours before our departure, I think everything is in place, well it has to be now! I think one thing is for certain – we’ll be battling the elements either on route to Heathrow or in Tanzania. The latest weather reports from there were wet and snowy… It will be a good test of our equipment and make the walk up the ‘hill’ - as some of you like to call it - a bit more challenging.

This is going to be such a test for me. It is so different to other physical challenges that I have attempted that I would tend to attack. I am regularly told that this approach is guaranteed to fail on Kili as you would not allow your body sufficient time to acclimatise to the altitude. So this is a test of discipline and patience, two attributes that I would not claim to be my best!

Last minute panics? Updating my tunes on my i-pod! Time to forego the fast energetic running tunes for more calming influences for the peaceful surrounds of the African plains and the views from the mountain. By the end of the trip I will also be able to tell you just how long an i-pod battery will last! I know one answer, a long time but not long enough! If that is all I have to worry about I must be prepared!

Thank you again for everyone’s incredibly kind sponsorship and endless support in helping me do this. I feel that you will be pushing me up that mountain!

Lets bring it on!

Cover story!!

That's right we were front page on the MK Citizen newspaper the week before departing for Kili. Great publicity for the charity.

The photo features (left to right) 6 of us training in Snowdonia. Those present were Peter, Jackie, Jane, myself, Nigel and Simon. Charlie (our leader and charity founder) is taking the photo. Unfortunately on this trip Mark and Dean couldn't make it.

A reflection on fundraising and Funkstar!

The Big challenge is fast approaching now - 4 days and counting. I thought it time to update you on my preparation and fundraising efforts on behalf of Climb Your Mountain.

When I set out on this challenge, I knew well the fundraising effort may prove as much as Kili itself. I am yet to discover just what a challenge the mountain will represent but I can safely say that the fundraising has proved a significant personal challenge!! Sometimes when I have the chance to reflect I am in awe of the amazing friends and family that have provided such invaluable support both emotionally and through sponsorship. So can I say a BIG thank you.

The great people that I had met in a short time living in Milton Keynes provided me with the inspiration that the time was right for the challenge. From the on-set I had been very aware that the charity I have been raising funds for, Climb Your Mountain is Milton Keynes based and I knew very few people in the city. However, the vast majority of my fundraising would based here. Not easy when you are not living weekends in the place, a minor detail... I had hoped to raise funds via suppliers at work but as we all know the economic circumstances have meant that we have squeezed these relationships and their margins, a dead end. So all my efforts have gone into organising a gig at the David Lloyd club in Milton Keynes. Matt kindly offered his fantastic band for the evening, Funkstar (www.funkstar-uk.com) and Jill provided endless contacts and support. To both of you, I owe you so much! Between us the evening proved to be a fantastic success which attracted 157 people and raised £2,400 towards my fundraising for the charity! Most importantly, everyone had a great evening and thoroughly enjoyed the band and the rest of the entertainment.

I am still pinching myself that I could organise an event that attracted so many people when just six months ago I knew practically no one in MK. I feel very lucky to have met so many fantastic, warm and genuine people here.

So wow, what a relief! I am nearly there, now I can rest up and feed myself up for the big challenge. I needed to, I felt exhausted... The kit list is finalised and the last ditch run around the shops has been completed, I never thought how many things that I would require. I thought I had most travel accessories and plenty of kit, think again! This was never going to be cheap! Just a small matter of making it all fit into my rucksack now.

I tell you what, I can't wait!!!! 4 days and counting down.

If you have not sponsored me at this point and would like to make a contribution towards the Climb Your Mountain charity it is not too late. Making a donation is simple at www.bmycharity.com/jezontopofafrica

Snowdon and extreme weather training

Three weeks to go... time for serious mileage and hill training. I had been looking forward to the weekend of 16th/17th of January and our trip to Snowdonia since the idea was put forward in November. However, in the week preceding it the weather forecasts were bleak to say the least - 60-80 mph gales and heavy rain! This would be Snowdon in winter!

Seven members of the Kili team were here to complete their training for the bigger challenge that lay ahead. We have all come from different backgrounds and physical abilities, our paths converged on Snowdon via very different training programs and for differing motivations. We share a goal to breakdown the invisible barriers which we place in front of ourselves and realise a dream.

True to British weather we set off in glorious sunshine, of course it would not last long! On Saturday afternoon for a warm up, a three hour walk in the winds and a fantastic test of our wet weather gear! Soaked we returned in good humour and a well earned drink. The evening proved that the trip will not be dull - we have a team member whom claimed, in jest, to be a porn star! We all leaned a lot more about one another by the end of the evening... So would we be able to make the climb the following day in the terrible weather?

With a little bit of planning Charlie chose the Miners trail route up Snowdon. It would offer the best protection from the north easterly wind. A great choice as we would soon find out. Following a very scenic warm up along the miners path with an occasional warning from mother nature in the shape blast of wind. We soon reached the Pyg track, the easily recognisable path turned into a goats trail scrambling through rock. This was made all the more fun as we neared the summit and climbed into the cloud, the streams froze and the snows built up. I have to say that I was guilty of taking my usually approach to such a challenge head on and go for it! Lesson one discipline and team work, these will be needed in abundance for Kili. Nearing the summit we climbed onto the final assent to be met by the most amighty icy wind. One final test of stamina, grit and determination. Five of so made it to the summit to share a real sense of achieve, those who did not know the mountain is always there another day and can be safe in the knowledge that they respected the mountain. Only two weeks later two people were not so lucky. Quite a sobering thought about the challenge we have completed and the much bigger one to come. Lesson two - Always respect the mountain...

One final thought from Nigel "Neither me or Charlie are allowed to lead on Kili" it would lead to failure on our climb as we are likely to ascend too quickly to allow our bodies to acclimatise to the altitude. He is absolutely right, this is going to be an altogether different challenge for me.