We thought it would be fun to share some personal memories from the summit night of Kilimanjaro. I was going to edit into one formal blog, but I thought posting the actual emails that we circulated a few weeks after returning to our homes would be even more special to share. The final summit represented the culmination of a year of hard work and we were fiercely motivated after spending three weeks in East Africa and seeing with our own eyes the real challenges that Africans face. For all us this, this was a very symbolic and intense end to the challenge.

Brooke Vaughan

The Kili summit for me….
I was so anxious, but also SO excited. I had dreamed of summiting kili for 15 years and to me it represented the culmination of 12 months of fundraising and training and actually reaching the “peak” of success for three peaks. I decided to go in the earlier group and remember Luce and I tossing and turning and finally just laughing that we couldn’t sleep. We helped each other with gear and gu (thanks luce!!!) and she laughed at me as I duck-taped body warmers to my stomach and back, looking like the uni-bomber. I was so focused on getting to the top, but also so nervous about the cold and getting sick. I got into “the zone” and just kept going. The next thing I knew, it was just me and Fiona and her guide Jacob. Fiona and I kept each other going and things got intense. I think she will tell you that I was threatening to keep her going from behind with a poke of my trekking poles:) The cold was the worst part of the climb and it was tough to see so many sick people. I don’t know how, but we totally lost the rest of the crew and felt really strong going up to stella point. I remember being so happy to get to stella point and the joy of knowing we would summit was uncontainable at that point. We did get mad at one point that it was so early we thought we’d be too early for the sunrise! I remember looking back into the darkness and screaming ‘Three Peaks!!!?” And when we had no replies, I was so sad knowing we would summit without the team. I even got really worried since there were much faster, stronger girls and where were they!!? All of a sudden out of the darkness, we saw Ali! I had tears of joy! We quickly started the final ascent with just the three of us. I can remember being absolutely freezing, but feeling great….and being shocked by that. The enormity of the moment and the accomplishment was overwhelming. I even stopped to make sure my ipod shuffle was playing good tunes….no one wants to summit to the roof of africa to something slow and lame:)

Going that final way was so emotional. When we finally got our turn at the summit flag, we were just so excited and I remember looking around and thinking – we are at the top of the world and this IS what heaven looks like. I had not expected so much ice! Then we headed down and saw Toni and a few steps further Rachel and Kat… So we resummited for a larger team photo. I all of a sudden felt my lungs compress and got the worst cough. My body was screaming “evacuate!” So I just sort of stumbled away and remember seeing Mara and Luce and Sam (in that ridiculous pink-furred coat!) a few steps down and them grabbing me for a photo I am sure I look like a murderer in….and then a ways down seen Leah and then finally Gretchen, who was purple but got up there like a pro! I actually felt worse coming down (thanks Toni, Ali and Fiona for staying together and chatting! I I also remember Ali being the sweetest thing to people we passed who were headed to the summit! She would say “almost there!” And even gave one guy a gu), but made it to the summit base camp to strip layers and eat some lunch. And then the longest “day” of my life continued with the 4-5 hour walk in the rain to the final camp, where somehow Sam and Rachel talked me into drinking a kilimanjaro beer:) fun games of hacksack ensued! Guys, remember my “dolphin” hackeysack move! Haha

Arriving at the school…
So tired, so sore, and yet feeling like we were on top of the world! Upon stepping off the bus I remember being in full tears and not even being able to look at Luce bc we were such softies! Seeing the kids and hearing the songs….the best way to cap off the experience and know that what we did would change things and really make a difference….seeing the kids who won the prizes just sprint up the steps…such a look of pride!

Leah Hickman
All I know is that I have an entirely new perspective on and respect for high altitude after Kili. To be completely honest, summiting Kili was not an enjoyable experience for me due to feeling like absolute crap. I must say that it is, in fact, the most difficult thing I have ever done… let me explain.

I actually had been feeling great every day, even up to the high camp, which was around 15,000 feet. It wasn’t until my unsuccessful attempt at getting some sleep before our summit attempt that my luck started to turn. First, some background info: I had a root canal done on a tooth in October, and had been unable to get rid of the infection. This is a tooth that now – two months and two oral surgeries after Kilimanjaro – is in a jar on my desk. Anyway, a chunk of my tooth broke loose during dinner and got jammed in my gums, creating so much pressure in my still-infected mouth that I couldn’t get any sleep. I tried flossing it out, which just resulted in Gretchen having to cut the floss out with her swiss army knife in our tent. So, I tossed and turned for a few hours before the guides came and got us up for our summit attempt. My first order of business involved using the loo, of which there were two, but neither had toilet paper. This certainly wasn’t the end of the world, but a bit of an unpleasant way to start the day

So, in the mess tent while everyone was getting gear together for our 12:30 am departure, I was diligently working on getting the chunk of tooth out of my mouth (thanks to Sam for having more floss). It finally broke loose and I spit it onto the snow, along with (sorry, this is gross) lots of blood. About 30 seconds later, we started hiking. I hate to admit it, but yes, I cried a little. Not a good sign to be crying BEFORE we started. Ugh. But, we marched onward, and I tried to be optimistic through my throbbing and infected mouth which then also tasted like blood.

The first few hours went without incident. I was devastated to see Yvette and Nicole turn back, but knew how dangerous altitude can be and how much further we still had to go. Then it hit me. Hard. At around 17,500 feet, a nausea I had never known started to wave over me. I kept hiking, thinking “no, no, no, not happening, keep going, it will pass, you will not get sick, no, no, no.” But next thing I knew, I was doubled over two feet off the trail, throwing up and asking for toilet paper so I could venture off into the night. It didn’t get better from there. The next several hours involved Gretchen and myself getting further and further behind the rest of the team, then eventually she and I getting seperated as well.

I have heard stories about what happens to people at high altitude. I’ve read all the books about K2 and Everest, and quizzed my friends that have done Denali and Aconcagua, but discovered that you never really know what it’s like until it is actually happening. It didn’t hit me so bad that I needed to get rushed down, but I kept wondering what the breaking point would be. After each time I stopped to throw up, I would look up at Ayubu, half expecting him to tell me we needed to turn around. I have never felt so helpless in my entire life. As I trudged along behind Ayubu, facing the realization that I still had HOURS to go, I knew that it was literally the most difficult thing I would ever do. I had never felt so awful with such a monumental task ahead of me. I HAD to summit, but it was going to hurt.

My camelback was frozen and there was NO WAY I had the energy to get a different water bottle out of my pack. The sun was rising over Africa and provided one of the most incredible photo opportunities I’ve ever seen, but the thought of taking out my camera was far too exhausting, so I didn’t take any pictures. I took a glove off (don’t remember why), but couldn’t muster up the energy to put it back on, so I didn’t. I knew I was too far behind to summit with the team or even get a photo with the team at the summit, but couldn’t go any faster.

When we reached Stella point, I finally felt confident that we would make it to the top. Sure enough, we met the whole team, little by little as they made their way down. Hugs from everyone, and I was in tears. At the top, I finally started to feel better. I hadn’t thrown up for a while, and knew I was horrifically dehydrated. I had regained a little bit of mental clarity, so I finally put my other glove on and took out my camera for a few pictures. Gretchen wasn’t too far behind, so we took a few pictures together at the summit flag, drank some water, and headed back down.

Now, going down is usually my least favorite thing, and I have historically claimed that I would rather go uphill twice than downhill at all. Kilimanjaro was definitely an exception. Ayubu asked me if I wanted to go fast, I nodded, and so we ran. It was sort of like skiing on dirt, and I felt better the lower we got. Ahhh, back at camp… I drank some water and fell asleep.

Of course, the following days were wonderful! A fantastic assembly and bbq with St. Jude’s, followed by team celebrations!!! We finally had the opportunity to enjoy a few cocktails without facing one of the peaks the next day. Extra props to Sam for rallying with me until 7 am (that probably shouldn’t be mentioned on the blog)

Sam Hayes
Captain Kili, where do I start?

After the summiting Mt Kenya and Mt Meru, I was prepared for the worst. As I had never climbed anything higher than a sand dune before my trip to Africa so the technical (scary) parts of the climbs shocked the socks off me. To my surprise Kili was not nearly as frightening as I had assumed — until summit night.

Like Luce and Brookie I was not sure which group I should leave with, after much deliberation I chose to go in the second group. Rach and I were camped right next to the mess tent so I could hear the first group up having tea and crackers whilst preparing to leave, I could not help myself and go up and had a cuppa with them and wished them well as they left. My group then stumbled in to the mess tent and I had a second round of tea and those delicious coconut biscuits! Num Nums!!

As we left it was overwhelming, Godson and the guides sang in perfect harmony whilst we stumbled behind them following a trail of headlights flickering up the mountain and disappearing into the height of the night sky.

The first couple of hours were mystical and exciting. The mood was an overwhelming mixture of sheer delight and complete anxiety. It had just stopped snowing so the ground was covered with velvety white snow that disappeared up as far as our head lamps would allow us to see. As we moved slowly “pole pole” up the mountain chanting with our guides we were all privately distracted by the enormity of the lack of knowing what we were in for. We chatted nervously amongst ourselves until the weather started to cool off dramatically. The chatter soon subsided and we broke up into groups.

After about 4 hours I started to battle. My hands were freezing, a simple task like putting on a pair of gloves seemed so difficult that I stupidly opted not to. Thankfully Mara noticed and insisted that I have her gloves with hand warmers, she took mine out of my backpacked, hugged me and continued. THANK YOU MARA!

I slowed down and Sam (my brother from another mother) stayed with me. I started to feel very sick and was concerned that I still had another 5 hours to go. I didn’t want to eat and my water had frozen, my stomach was screaming at me.

I still laugh when I remember purchasing my whizz-bang ski pants before leaving Australia. I recall looking at my reflection suggesting to myself that I should get the smaller size because they are more flattering and that they will be a great addition to the “ski drobe”. Silly fresher… I did not factor in that I would be wearing five layers under them on summit night. The pressure around my stomach from my “ski bunny” pants started to consume my thoughts. Something so minor ends up being a huge problem once you start to get higher and colder. After some tears I collapsed to the ground in an overly emotional and dramatic manner and clutched at my ski pants ripping the button and fly undone, the relief was overwhelming! Within minutes I began to feel better and quickly caught up with the rest of the group and summitted soon after with my fly undone!

The summit was incredible. As you round the corner after Stellar Point all of a sudden a huge plane of dusted glass opens up before you and the horizon is a perfect, welcoming white. There are huge jagged, glaciers that make you feel like a tiny spec of glass that has chipped off the side of their awesome structure. The fact that you are so exhausted both physically and emotionally adds to the thrill of the summit as you are at wits end and trying to absorb everything around you. It was overwhelming, completely beautiful and extremely rewarding.

Fortunately, I managed to capture some “Hell Box” footage at the summit, I am sure that reciting this speech was part of the reason that I managed to endure my tight pants for so long!

After summitting I ran and “skied” back down to our lunch camp. This was one of my highlights as I was in ore of the girls skiing down the other two mountains while I was forced to resume the “fat spider shuffle” on decent!

Every step, tear, fundraising effort and dollar spent was worth every effort over again.

Hi Everyone – this is Brooke writing a quick post since all of the other girls on the team had to run to catch flights (about half of us are tanning and tusker-drinking in Zanzibar right now!!!!) and I have a long lay-over in Amsterdam. I’m sure we’ll all be writing longer notes on this blog, but I just wanted to write a quick one on behalf of the team to say how much we sincerely appreciated so many people following this blog and continuing to show such incredible support to our team and the 3 Peaks charities. Kilimanjaro was an amazing finale to the challenge and after a long year of fundraising and training, it was like heaven to be at the top of Africa with such fantastic women. Even better, was returning to the singing and smiles of the children at the School of St. Jude.  From the final moments of the summit to standing on the school stage being celebrated with kongas and live chickens, it was an incredibly emotional day. We all felt so honored to be in Africa and to see where the money you have all helped us raise is going to go.

We were very sad to leave each other yesterday… we were an incredible team and the friendships made over the past month will certainly last a lifetime. We all return to our respective countries and back to work in the next few days, but undoubtedly we’ve been deeply inspired and will feel connected to each other – and to Africa – forever.

After Kenya and Meru, the guides met together to discuss the strategy for Kilimanjaro.  One apsect that would change would be splitting the group into two as they did for the summit attempt.  The other change in plans would be to cancel the school assembly at St Judes that was scheduled for 2pm.  In order to make it, the team would have to wake up incredibly early, hike 8.5km at a quick pace, celebrate shortly, drive over an hour to the hotel to change and shower, get back in the vehicles, drive a half an hour to the school…and do all of this by 2pm. The celebration is not one to miss, but unfortunately after the evaluation, the guides did not see it feasible. Instead, the assembly was canceled and the afternoon celebratory BBQ at the school would be the end finale.

However, while the girls were hiking down from the summit, a different decision was made.  They found it important to be there for the assembly, and told the guides they would be willing to do whatever it would take.  Though the typical start time on the trail is around 9am, the guides informed the girls they would need to be awake and hiking no later than 5am to make it in time.  Without hesitation all agreed.

A text was sent down the mountain to base camp – and St Judes quickly emailed all of their head teachers to let them know the assmebly would be on! In order to make this happen, all 13 girls would have had to agree … meaning we have quite the dedicated team!

A message came in around 7:30pm from the girls, again a bit jumbled, but in brief stating:

- Freezing snow until 10:30pm on summit night

- Half left at 11:30pm, the other half left at 12:30am

- The guides sang all the way to the summit helping to push on the team and keep them putting one foot in front of the other

- Overwhelming views

- All are impacted by altitude

- Staggered Summits (likely meaning they were able to see many of East Africa’s mountains from the roof of Africa

-Many tears and emotions!

- Made the summit for an unbelievable sunrise

- The hike up took 6-7 hours

- Fun, fast, descent down slopes of scree

- Muddy, slippery descent into camp

- Playing hacky sack with the porters

- Will be looking into a spa sponsorship for next years team (anyone with connections there would be greatly appreciated)

-…And lastly…will be on the trail no later than 5am.

The Summits crew has left town early to meet the girls at the bottom of the mountain.  The team has made a monumental accomplishment and all of us watching from below are living vicariously through them. It is time to celebrate and have a look back over the past year of hard work, and the past 3 weeks of challenge, after challenge, after challenge. Congratulations team 2009 – you have not only completed the challenge, but you have impacted the lives of thousands of people – and inspired millions more.

An update from the team will come in the next day or so along with photos from the Kilimanjaro.

While people in Australia were sleeping, others in London were finishing dinner and those  in the USA were enjoying their day, but 13 women in Africa were about to embark on the toughest challenge yet of 3 Peaks 3 Weeks. 

At 11pm Tanzanian time last night Save the Rhino Event Manager Fiona MacLeod and 12 women from the 2009 3 Peaks 3 Weeks team were pulling on layers of thermals, gortex and down jackets and preparing for the final push to the 5,895m summit of Mt Kilimanjaro – the highest freestanding mountain in the world. 

It is very difficult ”waking” up at 11pm (after no sleep) to climb for over 7 hours to reach the roof of Africa and watch the sunrise over the plains below.   Even harder still is the fact this is the third time the women have had to do this task.  Over 50 percent of climbers do not have the opportunity to stand on the highest point, due to high altitude and the demanding last push to the summit, but after an exhausting two and a half week led in, these girls have an even tougher challenge and this is where the  past 12 months of tough physical and mental preparation will come into play.

The Summits Africa team make the final summit attempt as pleasant as possible – the girls are escorted by numerous guides who are monitoring the girls very closely and in a position to make a quick turn-around if anyone suffers from the effects of high altitude.  The guides will often sing for the first few hours – incredble African voices carry across the night as the team climb upwards.  So many thoughts will be running through the girls minds – friends and family who who have supported them, donated money to the cause and encouraged them to come this far.  They will also be thinking about each other and supporting each other to reach their goal, but most importantly they will be thinking about the cause in which they are climbing.  Over the past three weeks, these women have visited many communities in Africa and seen first hand the quality of life for those who earn less than $2 a day, often much less!  (At a time like this it puts the economic condition into perspective).  They have met women infected with HIV and seen the impact of human-elephant conflict in Kenya.  They have witnessed the impact education can have on disadvantaged children and seen the passion and dedication behind the organistions 3 Peaks supports. 

All of these thoughts will be racing through their minds as they push for the summit.  Freezing cold, windy and dark, literally one heavy foot in front of the other and thoughts racing..  It is a tough mental challenge.

Kilimanjaro is not to be taken lightly and this morning 11 members of the group (Fiona, Brooke, Luc, Ali, Toni, Leah, Gretchen, Sam, Rachel, Mara and Katherine) stood on the summit on behalf of the 13 who set out and on behalf of all those who support 3 Peaks 3 Weeks.  They also stand on the summit on behalf of the 07 team who are so inspired by their passion to see this event continue and for team 2010 who will be in this position in 12 months time.

Backpack on the Summit of Kilimanjaro

Our thoughts are with Yvette and Nicole, but they can be very proud of their effort and determination and the dedication they too have shown to 3 Peaks 3 Weeks and the causes that it stands by – it isn’t the destination that is important, it is the journey.

The girls are expected back in Arusha tomorrow (Friday January 30) and are no doubt looking forward to your support and some rest and relaxation. 

Again, we thank everyone for their continued support of 3 Peaks and donations to the causes in which we strive so hard to support.  http://www.3peaks3weeks.org/donate.htm

No word yet from the team…but the good news is that this morning has been the clearest morning all week.  They likely had an amazing sunrise on the summit with views of Meru and beyond…

Updates will be posted as we get them!

Team 09 in front of a Land Rover purchased by 3 Peaks for SIC

Another day up the mountain, and another day to reflect the importance and reason behind the climbs. As the team heads up Kilimanjaro, they do so knowing the support they are giving to SIC.  Having successfully tackled the other two causes- education and the environment, health across East Africa, and particularly North-Eastern Tanzania, remains to be the final challenge.

The team spent two days prior to the Kili climb with SIC.  The first day was spent at their office, getting to know the staff, and the second day was spent in the village, meeting community members who were HIV+ and seeing the impact SIC is having first hand.

But perhaps more striking to the climbers, was the impact 3 Peaks is having.  The following charts are just two examples of how far the funds raised are being distributed. It is shocking yet empowering, and will no doubt help the 09 team reach the summit.

The team had a relatively shorter trek to the next camp, barafu (ice) camp today.  All have made it and all are well.  An executive decision has been made by the guides to split the team into 2 climbing parties, the fast and the faster, in an attempt to join both at the summit. We have heard word from the guieds, but no message from the team.

The first party has likely left for the summit already, or is nearing to leave any minute, and the second team will head up shortly thereafter. They are currently at 4600m and will strive over the coming hours ot make it to 5895m – and reach Uhuru Point…the roof of Africa.

Our thoughts are no doubt with them every step of the way.

Support for the team has been riveting, from text messages to phone calls…comments on the blog to emails.  Luce’s parents randomly stumbled upon the Summits Africa base camp crew in Arusha today and send their excitement…and likely share the anxiety that many of the team’s family and friends are feeling.  They have been at the base of Kili for the past few days on the western slopes looking up and sending their energy to the team.  Many thanks to them for their support! Mara’s boyfriend touched down in Tanzania as well today and is likely drinking Kilimanjaros … thinking of her up on Kilimanjaro!

A big Happy Birthday to Yvette.  This should be one she won’t forget! Hopefully the camp crew was able to supply her with a little something in lieu of birthday cake.  More celebrations to follow on after the descent.

And as for the entire team…We all say a massive cheers and look forward to the celebrations in due time.  For now, our thoughts are being sent your way.  Go team 09!!!  Keep the momentum flowing.  We are all watching and the organizations you are supporting have all, without a doubt, been moved by your efforts. Climb on!

Team at Machame Gate

The team is still strong and still pushing on. Word has it they made it up the Barranco Wall to the Karanga Valley.  The ascent is short but steep.  It is similar to the scrambling on Mount Kenya and there is not doubt their legs will feel the affects of it tonight. Tomorrow they will push on to Barafu Camp where the will spend the evening before heading off for the summit around 11pm.

As they get higher, their text messages to base camp are getting less and less clear. The LIVE updates from the guides typically reach us around 4pm or 5pm as the team gets into camp.  The guides let us know they are safe and all is well (or not), and then around 8pm the team sends an update down which is then posted here.

Because today’s made little sense, it is best to give it to you word for word, and let you help decipher it:

No rain, until well into camp. Tough climbing, all did really well. In fear of tough vertical ahead we aligned ourselves in order, climber, slacker, brooke and sam were not next to each other. Fun day for all, well enjoyed by all, Sam and fiona considered jumping off the mountain after stepping in hell box matter on trail.  Brooke and cat played hackey sack. Nice afternoon hike or nap.  Summit sight.

As you can tell, the team is lacking oxygen.  Wait until they get to the summit where there is 40% less oxygen then at sea level! Hopefully tomorrow’s report will be easier to understand.  However, they are currently at 4200m and will be up to 4600m tomorrow.

Head Guides on Kili

Team heads up Kili

An update from the team has not yet arrived, but the guides have told us that they are all strong. After 14-15 kilometers of hiking today, one can assume the team is tired and enjoying dinner and then bed.  They are currently at 3950m but throughout the climb they would have reached 4600m.  This brief stopover at a higher altitude will allow the team to better acclimatize.  It is also important for them to sleep lower as it will allow their bodies to recover more quickly from the previous weeks of endurance exercise.

Kilimanjaro

A massive Happy Australia Day to those on the team and those supporting the team! While the Americans forced the Australians to celebrate Obama’s inauguration on Meru….it is now time for the Australians to encourage the Americans to celebrate. If they are luckily, there will be vegemite enough to go around. Our guess is that they have the Australian flag flying high at Barranco tonight.

3 nights down…3 to go!!!

1/3 of the Kili crew

Today marks the second day of long ascents on Kili.  The team have all arrived safely at the Shira Plateau.  From here they will continue to hike around the mountain, staying relatively at the same altitude, 3800m.

A report came in around 8pm stating that they had hiked through hail, rain, and thunder all day.  They were completely soaked by the time they made it to camp, but their spirits stayed strong. It is our guess that all are doing well, as they were notified from the beginning that Shira Plateau is the last point to turn around easily.  Of course they don’t have to push on to the summit, but it gets more complicated from here out.

Once they made it to camp the sun came out and they spent the afternoon relazing and writing journals.  Rumor still has it that the “hell box” documenting is still progressing nicely.  We look forward to the report!

Gretchen

Rachel

Luce

Fiona

Katherine

Leah

Nicole

Brooke

Ali

Mara

Yvette

Toni

Sam

For some it was a bit of an emotional day. The past two weeks have gone by fast and it is hard to believe that in just a week they will have completed the challenge.  The morning began very early with a 6am wake up call, followed by last minute packing, and a hefty breakfast at the lodge. The Summits crew hasn’t been very concerned with the food intake on the team, as many even pocketed peanut butter and jelly sandwhiches or cheese rolls for a late morning snack.  Soon after, they loaded up into the minibus and headed for the Machame gate.

At the gate, the team did last minute shopping – purchasing anything from backpack rain covers to handkerchiefs.  They signed in and had a cup of tea before it was time to send them off. It is quite difficult to say good bye to the team and watch them head off for the climb ahead. They have an incredible amount of energy and enthusiasm that is felt by all who have met them in the last few weeks.

Other climbers at the gate paused to take photos of the team and photos of the porters, who all proudly donned their bright white 3 Peaks t-shirts.  The porters have pleaded with the head guides to allow them to climb without their shirts as they are now a prized possession.  A compromise was made that they can climb in what they like, but must wear the 3 Peaks shirts at camp, which they are happy to do anyhow. Though the 3 Peaks team itself feels like a large group, it is truly a movement up the mountains and felt by all they pass by or meet.

The challenge itself is not easy. The team has made it through massive struggles over the past year.  They have held events that have created losses rather than gains.  They have managed to maintain communication across over six time zones.  It isn’t easy to unite a group of women and hope that they will form a cohesive unit.  But they have indeed done just that.  And though many begin to get cranky on the mountains when hunger sets in or when the days feel endless, they walked through the gate this morning as a team.  Luce’s camelback needed a last minute duct tape repair and the team waited.

They have all reached their minimum fundraising target and many have far surpassed it. They have gained attention on television programs, radio announcements, newspaper articles, and magazines. And perhaps even more admirable, they are using these 3 weeks to not only face their final challenge, the 3 peaks, but to visit the organizations that they are supporting.  Though many have felt sick between the climbs and had to visit the hospital or physiotherapist, all have made the extra effort to spend time in villages across East Africa, travel through various conservancies and reserves, schools, national parks, and most importantly, visit first hand with the communties and the people that they are directly and indirectly helping.

The first day is quite long and our thoughts are with them as they head through the dense lower slopes of Kili. Stay strong, Ali, Brooke, Gretchen, Katherine, Leah, Luce, Mara, Nicole, Rachel, Sam, Toni, Yvette…..& Fiona! Go girls! Nail that last one!

And a massive last wave of encouragement from the 2007 3 Peaks team.  You are all in our thoughts and we are behind you cheering!!!

Lastly, an update has just come in from the team stating they had torrential rain all day, even though they attempted to start in shorts and sunglasses. Gretchen looked like a hermit in her poncho and raised the fashion stakes to a new level. Good one Gretchen – taking one for the team!

The team says to stay posted for a document on the public toilets, or what they have termed the “hell boxes”.  Sam and Brooke will be reporting back on those.  However, they are reveling in the excitement of the “plush” camping accommodations as Summits Africa takes porta-potties up Kili on all luxury & VIP climbs…as well as thick mattresses! The team says they were the envy of all other climbing parties as they dined in a large mess tent on the trail for lunch. And having mastered the variety of paces in order to arrive at camp as a team…they all arrived with smiles as well. Keep on!