Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro
Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro was never really part of my life’s plans.
When a close friend and fellow publisher, Anton van Zyl, suggested the idea a few months ago, at first I was hesitant and shelved the idea.
At the back of my mind, I thought about the many tragic tales I’ve read over the years about people who dice with fate and climb mountain peaks such as Kili, as the mountain is affectionately known by the locals.
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Africa’s highest mountain is not your everyday outing for ambitious couch potatoes. It towers almost 6 000 metres above sea level. The peaks are covered in snow for most time of the year. At that height, the inexperienced can easily succumb to altitude sickness. The temperature can also drop to minus 10 degrees or even more, which in African terms is like really cold.
Then again, Anton and I have experienced cold conditions before. A few years ago we were invited to be guest speakers at a conference in Duluth, Minnesota. This is the USA’s most northern state which we visited in January in the middle of the winter. We braved the snow to visit small towns such as Eli, and it turned into one of the most memorable trips of my life.
After calculating all the negative risks and factors that could possibly befall us on our rigorous seven-day journey to the peak of Kilimanjaro, I decided to psyche myself into the idea, and discount all my fears and inhibitions about heights, the blistering cold and the wet snowy weather. I started focusing on all the benefits of preparing myself for such a challenge.
Kilimanjaro gradually turned into more than just a mountain. It became a journey. It was a journey where I wanted to surround myself with other people. I wanted to engage more people, encourage them to share my enthusiasm and motivate them to climb their own mountains. You are never too old, too unfit or too busy to start with such a journey.
Three weeks ago I started with my preparations by joining the Rondebult Parkrun. For those not aware of the Parkrun concept. It is a 5km walk or runs that takes place every Saturday morning at venues across the globe. In the Vosloorus area, the closest one is the Rondebult Parkrun, which is next to the plantation stores on Boundary Road.
I must admit I was very nervous when I lined up with a couple of dozen other enthusiasts, ready to start. How will my 70+ year old body cope with a sudden strenuous exercise? If I can’t even finish this, how will I tackle Kili?
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But my fears turned out to be unnecessary. I finished the run in 48 minutes and 40 seconds. What motivated me were the fellow walkers and runners who gave encouragement and advice, but mostly just being there with me. Last Saturday I broke my record and finished in just under 48 minutes. I realised I am still able to do strenuous exercises, and enjoy it. I also realised I still have a long journey before I pack my bags to climb on the plane to Tanzania.
For me, the Kilimanjaro project is not a tick on a bucket-list. It’s a journey that I want to undertake with all of Kathorus MAIL’s readers. I want to encourage them to chase their dreams, to focus on a healthy lifestyle and overall, to get involved in community activities.
As I prepare for the Kilimanjaro summit climb, I wish to invite health-conscious people to join me at the Rondebult Park Run/Walk facility for a better and healthy lifestyle and to be part of a historic event by Kathorus MAIL.
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