From Sean: Everyone has reached the high camp and is strong and well.  We’re the only crew here – brilliant.  We leave at 11pm tonight. The summit dome looks icy – hope there’s no wind.  Leek soup for lunch and then a good nap.

Barafu camp

From Sean: Cold night and woke to a magnificent day. Floating on a bed of cloud below us – from our feet to the southern horizon. Everyone in top spirits.

Barafu camp is at 4600m.

The slow walk up to Barafu

From Sean: We’re all in Karanga camp (4100m).  Everyone is in top form and the weather is magnificent.

Tomorrow the group will take a slow walk up through wild alpine desert to the last camp – Barafu hut (4600m). It’ll take 3-4 hours. At Barafu, they’ll have a good rest, eat and drink well, sleep as much […]

From Sean this am: We’re on the Barranco Wall all alone.  Blue skies with Mt Meru on the horizon – head popping through the clouds.  Everyone is cruising.  Ashleigh is stoked to be out of the London doom and gloom and on the roof of Africa!

Climbing the Barranco Wall

Today’s hike was one of the more challenging ones as it began by climbing out of the forest and onto rockier terrain with sparser undergrowth and scraggly, moss covered trees. Their trek continued along a narrow ridge and then flattened out as they approached the Barranco Valley and descended to the Barranco camp (3950m).  It would have taken them 6-7 hours.

Message received […]

Just received from Sean: Everyone is in.  It’s been a great day – there’s been no rain, it’s only now tapping gently on the tents.  We had chicken & chips for lunch (my favourite) and fish and pasta for dinner.  It’s fresh outside.  We’re snuggled up in our sleeping bags – great sleep ahead.

Heard from Sean last night that they were comfortably ensconced at the Ashi Protea hotel. He briefed everyone about the climb ahead, what gear to wear on each day and how to avoid altitude sickness (by eating lots, thereby raising your red blood cells, and drinking constantly to keep hydrated). The rugby fans in the group then stayed […]

Sean met up with Ashleigh Palmer, Ian Palmer (Ashleigh’s dad), Remo Pollastri and Scott & Nikki Stanton at JHB International departures at 6am this morning.  The group are en route to Kilimanjaro today with a short stop over in Zanzibar before flying on to Kili and meeting up with Kate Moore and Amy & Craig […]

Sean’s just returned from his 14th summit of Mt Kilimanjaro where he guided and filmed a group from Woolworths climbing the mountain via the Umbwe route.   The aim of the expedition was to raise awareness of climate change and the effect it has on coffee farmers in Tanzania.  Joining the expedition was climatologist and 50/50 […]

The team arrived in Punta Arenas late last night and they are all on their way home.  Sean and Duncan land on Thursday afternoon – and will no doubt relish the warmth of Durbs!