Kilimanjaro Journal

Ray and the team have now completed their Kilimanjaro trek. The team would like to thank all those who have
sponsored the climb so far - it was tough work and they appreciate all of your support.

You can find more information about Ray's preparations for the climb, along with images and video interviews 
at his Blog Spot

Training in Lanzarote (August 2010)
21st August 2010 - "I have been out in Lanzarote training hard for the past three weeks. It's been tough and I've injured myself during a particularly gruelling climb. Fingers crossed I'm fully fit again soon!"
29th August 2010 - "I'm fully recovered from my injury and raring to get started on the trek up Kilimanjaro. I've faced some incredible challenges in my lifetime, but there is something rather daunting about facing a giant like this!"
Departure (07/09/10) Ray and the team arrived at Heathrow on the morning of Tuesday 7th September. They arrived in Africa safely and will be getting a bus to the Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine. Kilimanjaro Christian Medical College, Tumaini University, Moshi Tanzania. Tanzania - Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine (08/09/10)
Today Ray and his team met with some of the amputees currently being treated at the Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine in Tanzania. Everyone was in high spirits and Ray was impressed with the services on offer to those who had lost limbs as a result of accidents or for medical reasons. It has made Ray even more determined to make funding available to amputees worldwide, and the fantastic people he met in Tanzania have given him a renewed enthusiasm for the Kilimanjaro climb.
Half Way Up Kilimanjaro (12/09/10) I was pleased to find that the satellite phone link between our climb party and the team back in the UK worked well today (17.00hrs BST) and I was happy to report that everyone is in good spirits. Nick, our reporter, spoke to me half way up and, apart from a slight sniffle, all is going to plan. We are exactly where we should be at this stage of the climb.
I would personally like to thank everyone who has been involved in this challenge and I will update you all as soon as possible. My next link is on Summit Morning and I am really looking forward telling you all that we've reached the top! Reflecting on the Climb Having reached the dizzy heights of 4500m and having been rescued from the mountain due to a severe chest infection and complete exhaustion, I have now had time to reflect on this life changing challenge. From day 1 I knew this was going to be tough but no-one can foresee the massive journey we were undertaking, the dust, the altitude and the terrain were gruelling. Rising from 2000m to an incredible 4500metres in 5 days. But on the 3rd day I was feeling very rough and new things were going wrong, by that evening when we got into camp the doctor checked me over and said I had flu symptoms and a chest infection (having no spleen was my problem- low immunity and my body can not fight infections easy) he gave me antibiotics and I was told to rest.
Day 4 - Still feeling rough with a long day ahead so when I got into camp early I just rested.
Day 5 - The most gruelling 9 hours of complete hell, my body was finished, I could hardly summon up the reserves needed to keep going, the guides called me 'RAYMONDO CAMA ZIMBA - RAYMONDO THE LION' - this spurred me on but the journey was just killing me. Why was I putting my body and health through this? Eventually the camp site was in view and I saw the famous Baranco Wall - my God what a sight and just above that, our goal - The Summit.
I was last to get in to camp and I was rather dragged in by my guides who were fantastic. The whole team stood up and cheered along with tears - This was no picnic. I then collapsed in my tent and was told to rest. I was not sure what the next day would bring, but I saw the Doctor and lead Mark who were both very concerned and told me I may not be able to go on. I just wanted to rest and hoped and prayed I could go on.
Day 6 - This was a whole different story as I had to be rescued off the mountain! But the journey down was definitely a journey from hell! But that's another story…..