Kilimanjaro diary - day 3

(Stock pics of Kili glacier, heading for the summit, view from 5895m)

Mission Control:  Thursday was a very welcome rest day for the members of the 1st for Women Kilimanjaro adventure - well, except for a "little" 2-3hr hike up to 4200 altitude and back down to camp.   The principle of acclimatisation is "climb high, sleep low" which means one should always overnight at a slightly lower altitude than the highest point reached during the day.  
Besides the hike they spent most of the day relaxing around Camp 2 and thinking about Friday night when they'll leave camp 3 at around 2300 and start the long haul up to the summit.   At 3900 vertical metres above sea level everyone is now feeling the affects of the altitude -  breathlessness, perhaps a headache or difficulty sleeping, nausea or (as in Jan's case) loss of appetite

Allie:  "A relatively relaxed day to recharge our batteries.   We did an acclimatisation hike up to the top of a hill and then back to camp.   Air thin!   Even small actions require big effort!"

Andy:  "Nice relaxed day with the hike to 4200m.   The next 48hrs will be the most challenging so I'd better be thinking positively.   Need your prayers!"

Bonnita:  "Today was all good.   2,5hr acclimatisation walk was all that was required of us.    Am thinking of the big night with some trepidation.   Support and prayers will be welcome."

Derek:   "After the acclimatisation hike we got back to camp in time for lunch.   I'm looking forward to tomorrow's climb to Kibo hut."

Hannes:  "In the next 36hrs we'll do another 2000 vertical metres.   To reach the top we're going to have to conquer our fears, the altitude, the cold and our minds.   With faith that the Lord will guide us we'll be able to climb high."

Jan:  "I woke up this morning to find my appetite had completely disappeared.   Sat at the lunch table trying forcing myself to each curried potatoes.   Finally got the satellite email facility working so can now send pics back to SA." [these would be the emails that got lost in cyberspace. Lynn].

Kedi:  "Spent the day recharging batteries.   The acclimatisation walk was a breeze and I felt really good reaching 4200m and still full of vooma!"

Thami:  "Today's acclimatisation was to get our bodies used to 4200m altitude.   We leave for the summit at 2300 Friday night - will be interesting to do a night climb.   Wish we could update via Metro as planned by satellite signal hasn't been great.   I'm thinking of the "O' team - I have the January issue with me to keep me going!"

Deshun:  "Good day relaxing around camp.   Spending a rest day also helps with acclimatisation.   Burps and farts have gained impetus and some people have overcome their initial shyness and let the good time roll down below.   Apologies, everyone, but this is typical 'expedition speak'.
Tomorrow [Friday] we'll leave camp at about 0830 and head for Kibo hut at 4750m.   Hope to be there by lunchtime and then we'll rest until 2300 when we'll start the push to the summit.   If all goes well we should reach the summit by 0900 on Saturday morning.
Although our present goal is to reach the summit it's important to remember that an expedition is a success only when you get back down again!    Having done the 8-10hr climb to the summit, we will still have to walk for another 7hrs on the descent to Marangu hut where we'll spend Saturday night.    It's extremely important not to use up all your energy on the climb to the top because that's only half the challenge for the day!   Because summit day for the climber is between 15-18hrs the time spent actually on the summit is surprisingly short, 20-30mins at the most.    After the excitement and some photos one, literally, has to regroup, refocus and convince that exhausted, oxygen starved body and that whirling mind to begin the long descent which is just as arduous and tiring as the trip up.
Thank you all for your support and prayers and encouraging comments posted on our website - it's wonderful knowing that you're lending us your strength.   The team decided to dedicate this expedition to all Africans who experience suffering, be it war, hunger, sickness, poverty, etc - and we will come together on the summit in their honour and to pray for an end to their suffering.   We hope that you will join us so that the power of our collective may bring about a change in their lives.