Kilimanjaro
29 Jan – 8 Feb 2025

This diary, followed a group of 28 people supporting Birmingham Children’s Hospital,
tells the story of their summit attempt.

On 29 Jan 2025, 28 people departed for Tanzania to climb Mt Kilimanjaro. Their story started 1 year before (Jan 2024) with a dual aim:

• To reach Kili’s summit, and
• To raise as much as they could for the Birmingham Children’s Hospital charity.

Let us not forget the challenge that lie ahead of them. 8 days of exposed trekking through 5 climatic zones (from jungle to arctic) with a 3 mile vertical climb. At 19,341 feet, altitude sickness is a real threat to anyone attempting to reach Kilimanjaro’s summit.

The diary will show, they had plenty of support from a good number of celebrities.

What a Team … before they had stepped foot on the mountain, they had raised over £100,000.

From cake bakes, dinner nights, to quizzes to raffles, it had been going on for months. Great effort.

Infographic by Martin Smith

Group of 28, 18 male, 10 female, average age 43. Oldest 60, youngest 27.

The mid-long range weather forecast for Kilimanjaro revealed plenty of snow is expected on top, with temperatures to match.

The packing is almost complete, although the conundrum of what goes where is perhaps less so! Thoughts and arrangements to the airport(s) are a sure sign that departure is looming.

What a great weekend at the The National Running Show, which took place at the NEC Birmingham 25/26 Jan. Natalie Davies and Mike Seaman were the organisers so they were a bit busy! Great support from the Hardest Geezer and of course Sir Mo Farah.

Mike and Dave being interviewed in the BBC Radio studios on Mon 27 Jan.

The Hardest Geezer, who went up Kili just last week, with Natalie Davies at the National Running Show.

Mo Farah adding his support at the National Running Show.

At some point, that WILL go into a bag!

First of all, I know the route, extremely well. So combined with my knowledge and the information being streamed back to me from the Guide(s) on the mountain (+ hopefully some images), I will be able to report. This diary will be updated each day, usually towards the end of the day. We are 3 hrs behind Tanzania.

All of that said, there are restrictions. We are totally reliant on phone signals being strong enough for the information to be sent from the mountain to our ‘base’ close to Moshi (Tanzania). If we receive any updates from the group themselves, that’s a bonus. There is no guarantee any of that will happen.

In the absence of information, I will use my own library of images/maps to display where they are.

What about Summit Day? – we will publish a facebook post as soon as we know they have hit the summit. Given they will summit around 3am UK time, that may take time to filter. They will have more important things to consider, like descending to a safe altitude!

All aboard … from Birmingham, London Heathrow and Saudi Arabia, this group will board numerous flights to meet in Doha (Qatar). What a moment that will be before they continue their journey to Tanzania.

Lots of emotions flowing today, the fear of the unknown! They can’t wait to get going. And what a chance meeting with Sir Chris Hoy at Birmingham airport as he kindly took the time to wish the group well. Not forgetting the rapper Big Zuu, who also was there lending his support.

And news filtering through that their fundraising has reached around £150,000.

SIR Chris Hoy no less!
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Early this morning, a sea of red t-shirts engulfed Kilimanjaro International airport before the transfer to the Lodge and a typically joyous welcome.

With time to burn, it really was time to chill out, perhaps catch up on some lost sleep. Maxine was the 28th and final person to join the group, which is now complete.

Apart from re-adjusting their kit ready for the trek, the main event will be the briefing from the lead guide(s), which was scheduled to take place at 4pm local time.

Wonderful arrival welcome
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Night stop – Forest Camp (2800m)
Altitude issues? – No. Any breathing issues will be because they’re climbing! There should be no altitude related issues here.

A decent breakfast inside them and it was time to go. The ‘fun bus’ took them to the far west side of the mountain, and the Londrossi Gate. Here, they must go through a formal administration process of booking into the National Park. It is also where all of the logistics are gathered together, laid out for distribution between the support team.

The support team consists of 92 people! Yes, 92. It’s a lot right! It brings the entire entourage to 120 people (including the trekking group).

While the group was aware of that number, when they see it in reality, it will sink in. There are 2 Head Guides, 11 Assistant Guides, Camp Manager, 69 Porters, 2 Water Boys, 2 Toilet Crew, 3 Waiters and 2 Cooks.

Bear in mind, they are carrying everything needed to support all 120 people for 8 days; sleeping tents, kitchen, toilet tents, dining tent, sleeping mats, the main bags for all trekkers + their own gear, chairs, tables, all cooking gear, gas bottles, you name it, there’s a kitchen sink in there somewhere!

Today was just a few hours trekking through rain forest (high tree canopy). There will have been a fair amount of waiting around to allow the support team to get organised and on the move, and then set up at Forest Camp. It will all click into a routine overnight.

The fun bus en route to the start.

Night stop – Shira 1 (3600m)
Altitude issues? – Maybe, for the more susceptible. It would be unusual but still possible.

It would not have been long before the high trees disappeared. For most of the day, they will trek upwards, through ‘high bush’ leading onto the vast Shira Plateau that surrounds the mountain. Already, it is a stark contrast from where they began. ‘Pole Pole’ (slowly slowly) will be the chant from the Guides as they grind their way ever upwards.

And … according to the forecast, it’s raining! Nothing heavy but we must remember, there is no rest bite. No shelter except the tents. Drying clothing is nearly impossible, so it’s down to how good those waterproofs are.

3500m is high (11,482 feet). They’re into acclimatisation mode. For the next 4 days they will trek, and sleep, in the 3500 – 4000m zone allowing their bodies to be ready for the massive increase that comes later. They are traversing the mountain on what is known as the ’Southern Circuit’.

I am not receiving anything from the mountain at the moment, except being able to track their movements. The weather is clearly having an impact on the comms to date.

Let’s consider the food for a moment. There will be 2640 meals consumed on this trek!

• 840 breakfasts.
• 960 lunches.
• 840 dinners.
• + snacks at tea time each day (post trek).

Fancy being one of the 2 Cooks? They have to deal with differing dietary requirements too!

Group location at 1220 hrs Tanzanian time, 75% of the way to Shira 1 night stop.

The white line shows their path into Shira 1 campsite, so they have tucked into an area to themselves.

Kili is waiting.

Shira 1 campsite.

Weather could be better!
This is at 3000m, snowing on top.

Night stop – Shira 2 (3900m)
Altitude issues? – Maybe. This is certainly on the boundary where symptoms maybe felt for some. The good news is that they sleep no higher for a few days.

Is the weather causing a problem? Until a few hours ago, I had not been receiving any reports from the mountain from our guides. But you can see from this image and video that they’re in good spirits. Looking at the ground, any rain appears light’ish, it’s certainly not flooded.

The GPS tracker has them trekking straight from Shira 1 to Shira 2 WITHOUT going via Cathedral Point. It will be interesting to know why they did that, but I am mindful that the GPS tracker is only with one person. That said, I doubt they would have split up.

What they are wearing also tells you something. Those in t-shirts maybe cooling off after some trekking uphill, so the temperatures can’t be too low. There are no waterproofs on show in the images so a break in the rain if it has been. The video has plenty of rain wear on show! I’m not sure if that is at the end of the day’s trek, and I wonder who the female voice is leading the stretching?

Shira 2 is right up on the Shira Plateau. The high bush has been replaced with low bush, classified here as Moorland. It is very exposed.

A break. Temperatures not too bad, some t-shirts, light fleeces.

Night stop – Barancco (3950m)
Altitude issues? – Unlikely. They have been at this altitude level for a few days so any issues (if any) should have subsided.

Some more images have come in of previous days. It looks like a showery weather pattern rather than any downpours. You can tell by the state of the ground, and generally the clothing being worn. Temperatures are certainly in single figures, not helped by the windchill. It will only get colder as they get closer to gaining more altitude.

A good day ahead of them. It is a long’ish day and will test the knees for those that don’t favour descending! First they ascend to the distinctive Lava Tower, which at 4590m will assist in their acclimatisation. Then, for a change, they descend! The descent takes them through a channel where the unique Dendrosenecio Kilimanjari grow. These giant groundsel are only found on Kilimanjaro and at this altitude.

From the Barranco camp, the Barranco Wall will be right in front of them. It looks vertical. Something to look forward to in the morning, it’s the first thing they do!

Looking Forward … Wed night through Thu morning (summit night) is looking CLEAR of cloud, rain and snow.

Just 48 hrs and they will be preparing to summit.

Approaching the Lava Tower, close to 4600m.

A reminder of the overall route.
They started on the left side.

The unique Dendrosenecio Kilimanjari.
It only grows on Kilimanjaro and at this altitude.

Night stop – Karanga (4050m)
Altitude issues? – We know there is. It may be minor but reports suggest that some are feeling the effects.

We received the image of Kili at night from the group (see image below), and what a superb sight. Look at that clear sky.

A simply message that some of the group were not feeling too good this morning can strike fear to those reading this. There is some sickness, some headaches (both are symptoms of altitude sickness) and some are feeling exhausted. All of that said, they clearly put that aside and all of the group are in Karanga (4050m, about 13,100 feet).

The Barranco Wall. The day started with something different, the ascent of the Barranco Wall. It takes about an hour to get up this ‘Wall’ and it’s quite steep to say the least (see Martin hugging the Wall below!). The use of both hands are needed in most cases, and if you suddenly find you suffer from vertigo, it’ll be an interesting time. At 1100 hrs Tanzanian time, the tracker had them well clear of the Wall.

Although Karanga is a short distance from Barranco, to quote the report, ‘it was a tough day’. With tiredness in the mix, the Barranco Wall will not have helped! The close proximity of Karanga is a blessing in disguise. While it is possible to reach the next night stop (Barafu) on this day, we stop here for two prime reasons:

1. Acclimatisation – take out Karanga and you miss a night’s acclimatisation. It’s not wise given what’s coming.

2. Rest. The accumulation of the expenditure of physical energy so far creeps up on you. Now is the time to rest and eat, start storing energy ready for that final push to the summit in just over 24 hrs.

Given the reports received, the feeling in camp will be a mix of excitement, nervousness and apprehension.

The ascent gain from Karanga to Barafu is 600m. It doesn’t sound much, and indeed it isn’t if you’re starting from a low altitude. But they are not. Already at 4000m, that 600m makes a big difference. They are ascending to 4600m (over 15,000′). That is more than enough for altitude sickness to start to show itself. And it already has it appears.

When they leave tomorrow morning, the ascent to the summit has effectively begun. All 2000m of it. There is plenty of time to rest, eat and sleep at Barafu during the day, but come nightfall, it will not be long before they are on their way.

We hope that those not feeling too good, recover ready to go again in the morning. The group know my thought process – safety first. There are many symptoms of altitude sickness that are not life threatening, just a bit uncomfortable that with a bit of will power can be endured. Other symptoms that if ignored for too long, and with continued ascent, can put you down very quickly.

Meru peaking through the cloud.

Karanga – Taken by Mike Seaman.

Beautiful clear sky.

This shows just how steep the Barranco Wall is in places.

Martin getting up close with the Barranco Wall.

Look at Wed night, when they summit. Clear.
This is on the summit, the wind chill takes the temperatures to under -10°C.

Night stop – Barafu (4600m)
Altitude issues? – Highly likely, only based on the reports from yesterday.

At 1100 hrs Tanzanian time, they were closing in on Barafu so it won’t be long before they are settled in for the remainder of the day.

News reaching us that those not feeling too good are feeling much better today. As with yesterday, it’s time to rest, drink, eat, and sleep in preparation for tonight.

Let us be under no illusion where we are with this so far. We’re on Day 6 of what has been an exposed trek, at high altitude. Accumulative fatigue will have taken its toll. So no matter who you are, they’re starting the ascent to the summit on a body fuel level percentage way below 100%. How far down that is will depend on the individual. As if that wasn’t enough, the 6 hr ascent starts around midnight, through the night in sub-zero temperatures. The body is not at its best when normally it should be sleeping! And we’re not finished yet. Their daysacks are likely to be carrying more weight than they have done to date. More fuel, more liquid. And have we mentioned the altitude, which as they ascend will let them know its there. This will test the best.

Now the good news … team work has an incredible way of defying the odds. And this team will rally. By now the support team and BCH Team will be as one, they will know each other well. Assistance guides and some porters will be ascending with them and help where needed. The motivation to reach the summit is there, and they have a whole host of individuals with skill sets to help each other in different circumstances. They can help each other by adjusting weight ratios in daysacks for example.

Over £170,000 raised so far.

Natalie enjoying the climb.

Traffic jam.

Don’t look down.

Night stop – Mweka or Millenium
Altitude issues? – Not now!

What can I say? That was an exceptional group effort. The odds against all 28 making the summit were understandably high. But defy the odds they did. In the words of the Lead Guide ‘this group were good, what resilience and guts’. That should tell us all that some in the group were digging deep, very deep.

At around 1115 hrs Tanzania time, the first sub-group were back at Barafu (where they began the ascent). It is a relief to get back there, to sit down, take the weight off of your feet, ease the legs (1400m descent, about the same as Ben Nevis!) and rest.

Just when you thought the plan was going well … time for a helicopter to show itself! Maxine had an unfortunate slip. It was enough to bring in the cavalry and off she went to hospital. Precautionary tests were carried out (results unknown) and she will rest tonight before hopefully joining the group tomorrow when they exit.

Meanwhile, the group descended to Millenium Camp (3820m). This is their final night on the mountain. At 3820m, this is still at a decent altitude but given the previous 2-3 days, it might feel like home. Whatever they are feeling, they will sleep well.