The Kilimanjaro Experience

The Kili adventure was an experience of a lifetime,

Meeting likeminded people who signed up for the climb.

But it was not just about the trek and the adventure,

It was about the cause for the people we had lost,

It was about their families, their loved ones,

and MND Victoria and New Zealand who have helped with equipment, counselling and the cost.

We all met for the first time at a place called Moshi,

A town in the heart of Tanzania in East Africa.

With some nerves and excitement, we sat at orientation,

With many questions for AJ our guide and group leader,

Who was in charge and responsible for the treks coordination.

We set off from the border of Kenya to get to our first camp site,

Which was Kibo huts where it got colder quickly throughout the night.

We met all the porters and talked about MND and why we are doing this trek,

Which is to raise the awareness of a terrible disease and honour loved ones we lost,

And to raise much need funds for support and equipment that comes at such a high cost.

As the adventure continued and the altitude got greater,

Breathing became harder and altitude sickness became more of a factor.

Pole Pole or slowly slowly, was the call from those amazing men we called porters,

They not only supported and encouraged us all along the way,

They also carried our tents, food and even a mobile loo for us to use each day.

So yes the bushes and rocks were saved from even more of our waste,

And our privacy and vanity was saved by Mohammed and his good grace.

As sickness got the better of us one by one,

The chopper arrived to take Matt down to safety, as he was so sick and completely done.

We spent the next day at camp Mawenzi to acclimatise and rest,

And to get ready for the hike to Kibo Hut Base Camp, and then the ultimate test.

But unfortunately sickness was becoming a bigger issue than it was before,

And Darren was getting so bad it was hard to ignore.

It was decided the risk was too great, and he was the next to need to back down,

So he was escorted back to the Marangu Gate and driven back to town.

It was then just Ellie and myself to continue to the Summit,

The peak which we started for, despite sickness and feeling the need to vomit.

But after many hours hiking in the snow and the freezing temperatures well below zero,

The risk was just too great to become a fallen hero.

So the altitude sickness got us both, just 400 metres from the top,

With chronic headaches, sickness and chest pains, we just had to stop.

We headed quickly back down to safety and the lower altitude at Kibo Huts Base Camp,

Looking through tears of despair, and a fading head lamp.

The disappointment was overwhelming at not getting to the Summit,

And the feeling of failure was beyond what I would care to admit.

Now it is all said and done, and the adventure has ended,

And we are all back home and our pride and sickness is mended.

We are proud of what we achieved and what we have done,

Which most importantly was to raise the awareness of a terrible disease,

and to honour our friends and family whose memory will never be forgotten.