The Final Goodbye to Kilimanjaro  

The usual questions

The bumpy two-hour drive of the climbers was time to ask many questions about the leaders of Tanzania and Kilimanjaro. I was more concerned about the logistics of climbing and learning about the institution of deodorant.

We went through a shantytown of rusted corrugated iron sheeting, plastic bags and boxes built, then turned a dirt road and came to a huge door opened up to an awesome hotel complex.

Leavingthe team to unload the luggage, I have deodorant and Jacob (Deo's Second in Command) in the bar to discuss the final preparations for the ascent. They were friendly and well organized, which was reassuring as I had Zaro, another leader companies used for the previous increases. All bases had been covered, are taking up the suggestion of wooden planks for easier access through difficult places.

The evening was to relax and Paul, the video documentation of my attempt, was the summit of the mountain,describes the technology, the Web site and tracking devices, we would be pleased about. I stressed the importance of the team had an early start, by the distance we travel on the first day. I wanted to travel more distance than I had previously achieved.

The sheer size

Of 5.30 clock we were on our way, and everything went smoothly.

The journey to the main gate would take four and a half hour. An hour in which we had our first view of the mountain, and I couldsee the group look in absolute awe of its sheer size.

The registry, which have only 10 minutes should be taken, which lasted two hours due to a problem with the payment system. I had claimed that the rise is already registered - but this was not done. With time ticking away, I began to stresses on the importance of compliance with the very strict timetable. A constant stream of text messages between Nadine, a very special friend of mine, and I held my temper and frustrationdown.

Registration finally finished, we had to reschedule, where we would achieve by the end of the first day.

The disappointment NEXT

We reached Orangai Gate at noon, the delay in adding to my annoyance. With one of the leaders and Johan, I pushed ahead, leaving the team to unload the unit. They would catch up later.

We met a group of Americans who are completely on what we were trying to numb. This added to the excitement and the group was inElation. I was eager to take on Simba camp that night, but the realization to me that my expectations might be a little high.

Four hours into the climb, I was by the carriers, the rainforest was "backed up right around the corner." But soon thereafter, I met in Chombo, an old friend and the main leaders of my previous climbs. He suggested that the press was so much like Simba Camp on the question, as my pace was too slow. I'd agree with him.

Six in the evening saw usEntry into the rain forest and the camp site where we, Paul and Johan K waiting for us. They should as part of the group from the beginning, but they had otherwise agreed.

HOME ON THE MOUNTAIN

The first night again have the familiar feeling "at home" on the mountain, but tension in the air and there was a definite sense of separation from Paul, Johan and I K.

Our plan to leave at 6:00, was not panning out as Nadia wasmore interest in learning Swahili of the carriers, as always in motion, causing more delays. Cindy and Johan reassured me, suggesting I put it down to youthful excitement. My anger inspires me to do, push the hell out of the chair and laid trivial irritation behind me.

Vent my frustrations about my wheelchair and let me turn one of the bars, so it was that runs the wheel each time I moved down, it meant further delay, we had to straighten it again.

Good timewas through the rainforest. The road was kept clear and it was like pushing on a smooth track.

Three hours later we were through the rainforest, but the heavens opened. Pushing my chair through the rain was a new experience. The rain jackets were incredibly warm and with the energy that I practiced, I almost overheated.

Simba Camp

It has always been painfully clear that we are only equal to one walks behind Simba Camp on this evening. I said, I Deowanted at least four hours past Simba, because I knew that in this area we would be able to camp on the side of the road than I had done this before.

Around noon we were all in good humor. I have a satellite video feed-back on the website, then we were back on our way.

Deo estimated how far we would get in four hours, it shall require the carrier to a camp on. Unfortunately, although my pace was better than I had expected, from 18.00 clock, I had not yet reached the camp. I wasstimulated, as it seemed that I could record attempt in jeopardy because of his poor planning.

By 18.30hrs, I had all except Nadya ahead to find the camp. I had expected to return Johan K, but Deo and his group back to tell me they were pushing me the rest of the way, just as the camp was still pretty far from me and the chance to reach by nightfall was slim, and the risk of hypothermia was high. The recording I was able to support up to 10 percentthe entire ascent, which corresponds to 2.7kms, and I had a little in reserve to hold the summit.

PUSHING ON

I refused to accept when I was on slippery ground, that I could win under my own steam. To one of the 10 percent waste would be meaningless. They ended up pushing me over 500m - each meter of fueling my anger because I knew that the climb would be the following day to Second Cave has a long and hard. I wanted some of myAllocation then.

I got very excited in the camp, exhausted but very proud that I had managed to cover just over 8 miles on my second day. All were in good spirits - but I felt I had to warn them that from here on the level of their effect on the they will start.

To my delight I was able to communicate via SMS with Nadine. Although it's only for a very short time, it brightened my day considerably.

As the day had not gone according to plan, and we hadwasted some of the assistance granted, it meant I was in a much more difficult to Third Day.

ABOVE THE CLOUDS

When day broke, we were greeted by the sight of being above the clouds. Behind us, the mountain Kibo was absolutely breathtaking.

My speed this morning has been hampered, because every time I pushed down, I thought my guts to go to work. I had to instruct Deo, keep a portable toilet at hand. After a half hour shift, I cried out in despairthe carriers closer to the toilet. Not many people can say it in a toilet overlooking Kenya SA!

The benefits of hard training was, as I was able to drive and faster than I had managed before. Clock at 10.00, we could get a cell phone signal, and relay our position again on the website.

It was the first day that I was really convinced that I went to the summit this time to achieve. However, at midday it was obvious that we would not makeThird cave this evening.

HEAVY RAIN ROUGH TERRAIN

The terrain was rocky and we had to decide whether I support in this area than I had been on previous increases, or if I can see how far I could go. In these rocky patches I felt like a man possessed: shouting and screaming, what the motivation more. A few times I almost pushed me right out of the chair.

Not far from the Second Cave, began to be heavily rain. It was here thattwo years earlier I had sat on a rock, tell me from casting my eyes on national television, as I had finished it.

The going was tougher, and with the rain turning the soil, mud, my wheels began to turn, I ended up one muddy mess. I had to be supported on large stones, as the transition between them was too narrow for a wheelchair. At 14:00 on, go with just about 100 meters, I had a chat with Deo and we decided to call it a day, mainly the treacherous terrain and theRain.

The tension rises AGAIN

In stock, as I said Paul, Johan K and Neil that we would not continue to this day, she expressed concern that I fell behind schedule. As had been given, I explained that we continue to push the next day and past third cave, she seemed to be OK, but raised the tension.

Later, Deo and James said they were worried because Paul and Johan K proposed allocation of the group, so the two of them could go on andSummit without the rest of us. I explained to Deo was not an option because the whole purpose of them are on the rise in video-document of my summit. If they split, it would be pointless, it is even on the rise.

I have them in my tent, and reminded them about the purpose of them are on the rise. I thought this would put the matter to rest. But I later had to caution Paul and Johan K slow down because they are already suffering symptoms of altitude sickness. II'm not sure if my advice to fall, but it proved to be correct.

SUPPORT FROM HOME

We have the first readings of the SMS-line at the web site was. It was nice to see how much support we have always been from home. We went to bed early, because once the sun went down it was so cold that there are nothing else than the others in the sleeping bag.

The fourth day we were greeted by an amazing sunrise. It was nice to sit and breakfast looking at theClouds, eat some very dubious statements running water puddles and the usual eggs, coming in every day. I had to, which demands of me, because the time we lost yesterday afternoon to concentrate.

The first section of the support needed to carry me over an impassable section of the wheelchair. I had planned for this, but I was dying to get back into the chair. By the time we reached the top of the saddle, I was itching to my frustration about this to a wheelchair.

The road wasvery narrow, so I was forced to use the bushy sections on both sides of the track that made me lose my balance. As soon as I picked up a rhythm in my mood and therefore my speed. As we move higher, it was easy to see how the bushes have been less.

THE ARCTIC DESERT

The weather closed when we reach the Arctic Desert. It was not quite deserted, but filled with low bushes, and it was very difficult to enforce, where the road has become narrower. Shortly beforeLunch, I began ill, and I realized that it was because of the effort, and the fact I do not eat properly in the morning. We were forced to stop plans for an earlier-than lunch. I turned on my cell phone to signal, detect, and made a couple of messages from home. It was nice to be supportive messages from people who get really cared for me.

The afternoon was a major breakthrough. I had to be planned, carried out in this section, but I was so motivated that I always push,Find my own way up towards the mountain. This was important because I think there was another part of the assistance available to me, who had wasted a day two.

From the time that we are the third cave, I could, I think it was drained physically and mentally and I was not sure I could continue. Although my mood was good, I was glad to take a break and make up my reserves for an hour or so. A decision had to be made whether I would continue to this day a campground between Third Cave and Kibo Hut. Iwas determined to push me to my limits and beyond, to show I was able to achieve the goals I had for myself.

One thing that Got Me Going was that the area was perfect for pushing the wheelchair. The ground was hard and barren, it would just make the time well.

The affects of altitude

Paul and Neil struggled with severe headaches, so I proposed to Neil that he stick with me, so I could monitor his speed.

The hour was very longbecause the group does not talk to each other, but always focused on the next camp. I think I on too much weight in my own mind on this and not really what I was doing to concentrate on. Even though we now cover greater distances with the effects of setting the amount we had found it increasingly difficult to breathe.

When we had the last few hundred yards into the camp, were the bearers of Kilimanjaro sing songs as for the first time they realized that we wouldAchieve this challenge.

CONSERVING ENERGY

Paul filmed the last few yards into the camp and interviewed me and a few carriers. Over coffee, he talked about chasing crows from the solar cover, and how short his breathing was affected. He was exhausted. Deo and I confirmed that from here on the summit, people should do everything slowly save to energy.

That night, Neil refused to eat, and when I told him that he was eating itthe effects of altitude sickness, he went straight to bed and suffered all night with nausea. The next morning he was worse. A decision had to whether he will continue or not made. I think that scared him, if he could force himself to food, just so he will not be left behind. This showed the rest of the group, as it became more serious.

Rodney's SIGN

On this day would be very important as I wanted a sign handed Rodneymy father had made four years ago. It took a few hours to see us, and if we had reached the end, I was overcome with emotion and almost fell out of his wheelchair trying to make it faster. I was with a feeling stuffed felt incredibly close to my father and he would be with me for the rest of the trip. To see how emotional I was, Deo and James said they would receive the signal every time they up the mountain.

I had renewed motivation to continue driving, butThis section was very monotonous, and I had a bit too complacent to the tea break at 14.00, so that the carrier to give a rest for me and push-50m.

The break did me really good and I could see Kibo Hut, which was the base camp. It encourages me even if my body felt the effects of altitude. Once dry bread and coffee, we sat down to Kibo Hut, which was still good two hours away.

Icy winds

This section has been made morehampered by the freezing wind, but I had to laugh when we are at a big rock had expected that I learned to be transferred. Here I learned how good I had taught them, not to help me, because it made me push the rock and through it of me. I found it amazing that I am a wheelchair up on the rocks if they are not even intended, got up stairs.

I was at Kibo, with vocals by the holders of Kilimanjaro welcomes my favorite song, and I said to Cindy, I could not believe I was hereagain. Cindy burst into tears and told me how proud she was that I had come so far. I said it was partly due to their amazing training methods that my fitness levels were so high, come to me, where I was.

If I wanted a few photos team, I learned that Paul was not well and had gone to his tent. A while later, Johan K informed me that Paul was very ill, hallucinations and bitterly. Nothing seemed to warm him.

PAUL GOES DOWN

Aftercomfort him, it was decided to bring him down the mountainside in an ambulance Kilimanjaro (a stretcher on wheels, with three winners to maneuver) to a lower camp where he was able to really get used to. When she got a few hundred meters from the Kibo Camp, I heard that Paul was feeling better and wanted to return.

I have the support that was not possible and he should go to the next camp for the night so he could get used to.

The group was very shaken, especially Neil, but once theI explained to him that everything would be fine, he calmed down. The atmosphere was very tense at the dinner. We decided, as we have only to Hans Meyer Cave received the next evening, we would rely on at 6:00. For me, this is where the climb became serious.

None of us slept well in anticipation of what was to follow. Seventy percent of the climbers make only to Gilman's Point, before he reversed, because of illness. Every wondered what were their chances of summiting were.

HANS MEYERCAVE

The next morning we set out for the summit with a lot of excitement, but I found myself easily irritated. I think it was nervous, knowing that I was the last time I tried it only made it to Gilman's Point - and put the pressure of implementation had been in.

When we point Williams 5200, we celebrated, as the place of the previous record, before I broke it in 2003. Cindy, I realized here was not very concentrated, gave me her MP3 playerWho had some of my favorite music. For the next hour, I heard Def Leppard, on the pressure.

We arrived a little Hans Meyer Cave at 14.00 with just enough time to relax, enjoy the scenery and coke exhausted before the sun set behind the mountains, and it was very cold. I warned the group that this is the hardest night of the ascent, due to lack of oxygen and the cold.

I did not get much sleep because I feel as though my heart raced a mile and try toPop out of my chest. What was I panic that I had expected. I was relieved when we awoke in the morning they made through the night without too much difficulty. On my last climb, which is where I had started to become ill.

THE LAST DAYS OF PUSHING

The climb was very slow because of loose shale and the fact that we had to zig-zag because of the steepness, but I knew that this was pushing the last day.

After breakfast, Deo said that he wasconcerned about the look in my eyes. They looked glazed, and he was not sure I could go even further. I pleaded with deodorant, so I continued my eyes and assessment for the next hour or so. When he re-evaluated, he chose me, I could continue, but looking back now I realize I was not very good. It was a very slow progress on the cliffs below Point Gillman, but we have it until noon. From there I had to be carried out over the rocks Gillman. When I look back, I was very confused, but too stubborn toto recognize that something was wrong and admit defeat.

We got to Gillman and took pictures, but I was kept extremely weak and had, when I was sitting. For a section between Gillman and Stella, the carrier decided to carry me, because I still left a little assistance allocated.

NO TURNING BACK

When we stopped for tea Stella 14.00 clock, I went about half an hour. Everyone was very relieved when I woke up. I did not want to entertainwanted to turn back, as we were so close, and I decided to keep me going through the climb back in his chair and pushed the rest of the way, much to the objections of everyone. I think if I had not done it, I would have even deteriorated further.

Once we reached the last few hundred meters, and the excitement grew about reaching the summit, the thought of the people waiting at home for me, holding me upright. I was very relieved when we reached Uhuru Point, and proud of othersClimbers that they are up to the summit. I was also proud of the fact that we have it in six and a half days, which also was amazing.

We took pictures - but then one of the last things I remember enjoying the feeling wore after a successful ascent.

In a dingy HOSPITAL

The next thing I remember is waking up in a dirty hospital, unable to move at all and feels very weak. The first few days were like a dream, but what I havehave learned is that the night after the summit, after dinner, I was very ill and could not breathe, and it was decided at 4.00, throw myself on Kibo. Once she learned I was Kibo and implementation has not recovered completely Deo I will rush out of the mountain.

While in hospital in a daze, I can remember are a few of the winners for me to visit and check if I was okay. On the third day, a team of doctors came and said that I was evacuated to Kenya will be a betterTreatment.

I had no clothes, no phone, no money and felt completely abandoned. I burst into tears of total panic is plunged into a foreign country and not in a position to tell people where I was, and even calm the situation, that everything that we wanted to be in order. Flights to Nairobi, I was totally panicked when I was alone, and I wondered if I ever again have my wheelchair or mobile phone.

Uncertainty and fear

Was the first night in hospitalfilled with uncertainty and fear, because I did not move my limbs. I did not get much sleep that night because I did not even turn around from me. I've always been so independent, and I was worried about the loss of the use of my limbs always - something I had always been very scared.

Over the next three to four days I was on different tests, was exposed as the first thought that I had muscular dystrophy. God has come thanks to my mother and was able to them the correct information. Igradually the movement of the legs, and daily calls from Nadine to see how I was cheered me greatly. Soon the last pipe was held out of me and I was discharged. And the next day, luckily. but very weak, I flew back to South Africa.

north air ambulance