Duo conquers Kili to raise funds for charity

MBOMBELA – On November 28 a group of 21 climbers and 60 representatives of Really Wild Challenges, congregated at the base of Kilimanjaro – a majestic mountain in the savannah of northern Tanzania. They embarked on the five-day challenge up the mountain, tents, food and kit bags in tow.

The climbers hoped to raise £84 000 for World Child Cancer (WCC).

“As a team we donated £90 000 (R1,6 million) to WCC. In addition, Spirit Lion Heart raised R11 000 which will be split between baby Daniel (Ferreira) and Wessa,” said Dunshea and Du Plessis.

In 2016 Daniel was diagnosed with bilateral retinoblastoma – a type of eye cancer. Rhino poaching is also a pressing issue to these travellers and with their project, Spirit Lion Heart, they intend to keep on raising funds for these causes.

Also read: Daniel gains sweet support

Despite the extreme weather and the 5 895 metre ascent, they would not have wanted it any other way. “The conditions are exactly like in the movies – it rained every day and was incredibly cold. We woke up every morning to iced tents, but the feeling you get as you climb Kilimanjaro and watch the sun rise over the vast African plains and distant volcanic peaks, is truly incredible,” the two friends said.

Also read: Two friends ready to take on Mt Kilimanjaro

They set off from Machame Gate in a downpour, waterproofed up to the eyeballs. After breakfast a steep ascent awaited the climbers, which took them along the Machame ridge line, and gradually they worked their way up to the Shira Plateau. “It was an incredible view of Kibo Peak in the distance. It took us about five hours to reach our destination on day two at Shira Hut. The views and immense beauty were indescribable.”

Then it was a steep climb to the Lava Towers. After lunch they descended down to Baranco Campsite, set at the base of the Baranco Wall.

Normally on day three, a great many climbers suffer from altitude-related problems and some even turn back.

Day four took them up west to the Baranco Wall, and they continued over the ridges and valley to the Karanga Valley. There was an optional acclimatisation trek towards Barafu Camp before returning to Karanga. On the final day the group left from Barafu Camp to Kosovo Point.

At midnight they continued extremely slowly, crossing the slopes towards Stella Point, from there it was a gentle final trek to Uhuru Peak – the roof of Africa.

“And finally! The top! We were exhausted. It is amazing what climbing a mountain teaches you. It was a journey of indescribable measures, epic proportions, unravelling of emotions, disregarding unwanted soul baggage, transporting yourself beyond the utmost boundaries of your mind and body, bonding with new friends, finding your purpose, fixing your broken pieces, finding a deep sense of gratitude and experiencing another’s compassion.”

Out of the 21 climbers, one of the woman turned back before the summit.

“We descended back to Stella Point and down to Barafu Camp. We had two hours of rest before going down to Mweka Hut. On the last day we had a 13-kilometre hike back to the start. We literally ran the last two kilometres; we felt like winners. We had the most incredible guides and porters who supported us throughout the journey. The food was amazing and we cherished every sip of Milo. Each and every person was a blessing and shared so much love, excitement, compassion, laughter, and just pure awesomeness. We would not have made it to the top without their support and care,” Dunshea and Du Plessis concluded.