The Kilimanjaro airport is in sight and the exhausted but happy group are on their way to Zanzibar right now where they will be able to enjoy a good soak, relax, walk on the beach and later this evening celebrate their wonderful achievements.  Cocktails, G&Ts and a rejuvenating dip in the Ocean Paradise pool coming up.

Home time tomorrow.

Many thanks to [...]

From Sean ‘We all summited Mt Kilimanjaro at 05h50 this morning – a full house!  Big wind on top which meant a temperature of minus 20 degrees Celsius.  It fogged out on the descent but we are all immensely elated’.

After descending, the exhausted summiteers will have a short nap at Barafu followed by lunch and then [...]

Message just in from Sean ‘We’re all in our tents – waves of sleet are hitting the fly sheets loudly. Trying to get some sleep before 10pm. Chuffed we are under cover’.

Tonight's dinner and fuel for the summit

Barafu

Today the group will trek through the wild alpine desert to Barafu hut (4600m). They will be feeling the effects of altitude so will be taking it easy and walking very slowly.  It takes about 4 hrs to get to Barafu. After lunch they will try to sleep and rest as much as possible before they [...]

Today the group ascended the great Baranco wall (which looks far more intimidating than it is) and then descended to the Karanga valley. Dinner and overnight at the spectacular Karanga camp (3960m).

Message just in from Sean. ‘We’ve all reached Karanga and are well and strong. Happy days in the hills. Cloud came in [...]

The blog is now working - apologies for the delay in sending updates.

On Sunday the group began the climb from Umbwe gate, through the rainforest to Umbwe caves (3000m).  Message received from Sean yesterday - ‘We’ve arrived at Umbwe caves – having lots of fun and laughs in spite of heavy rain today which means everything is soaked.  Everyone is in [...]

They made it!  Sean phoned last night which was about 4pm their time to say they were on the summit.  The satellite phone reception wasn’t great so couldn’t get much detail except that they sounded elated. 

They would have returned to Colera to spend the night and are on their way down to base camp [...]

From Sean: Although the winds are still high, 3 of us (Ant, Nico and I) are giving it another shot.  On our way to the high camp (Colera) at 5870m and will attempt the summit tomorrow morning.  

Pics courtesy Ac 2010 group

A snow storm and howling winds forced the group to turn back just a few hours after leaving the high camp. Sean said the weather was too volatile to continue safely to the summit.

They are all on their way down to base camp where they will spend tonight.  Most of the climbers have decided [...]

Received a brief call from Sean earlier saying that they were about to leave Nido and head to Colera (5870m). Winds are picking up. Its going to be a long night for the group as they try to rest before the summit attempt tomorrow morning.

The first milestone tomorrow will be Camp Independencia at [...]