Kilimanjaro Trek

Pipped at the post

2008-09-04T12:42:00.003+01:00

I have spoken to a very dejected Pam last night, she was pulled off the mountain at the very last stage before the top She had a bad bout of altitude sickness and was totally disorientated. It would have been sheer stupidity for her to have continued. I have told her we are all so proud of her and that I just want her back safely now. Thank you all for your support and generosity. I will let you know when she is back home.

On the way up

2008-08-31T23:26:00.004+01:00

This is Doug, Pam's husband I have taken over the blog for a few - very crucial - days. There has been little time to do other than work and train for the last few weeks, hence the lack of content. I took Pam to Heathrow on thursday 28th, she was full of anticipation and excitement but kept balanced by a touch of apprehension (this is what keeps you sensible and alive!!) However it could all have been sunk before she arrived at the start of the climb - Kenya Airways managed to lose their luggage somewhere between Heathrow and Dar-Es-Salaam, fortunately it was found 15 mins before the onward flight to Arusha. I had a phone call on Saturday night to say the views were stupendous and that they were starting the climb today. I look forward to the next call (whenever that may be). But more importantly I look forward to getting her back safe and sound. This is no mean feat that she is undertaking so please feel free to visit justgiving and support her!

43 days to go!!!!!!!!!!!

2008-07-16T16:57:00.002+01:00

no pictures today but just to let you know training is going well ( I think so ) James is putting me through my paces I have been boxing, actually I quite like it . I will try an d get some photos. I have promised the girls 9 Claire and Sarah) that I will treat them to a training session . Claire said TREAT !!!!!!!!!!!!
I will leave your imagination to the rest of the conversation.
We have paid for our trip today and vaccinations are going well . I have a few days off now which I am looking forward to as work is getting in the way with my training programme . I hope to do some walking over the next few days.
Hope you are enjoying the blog.
Oh I forgot to say I have had some monies of students today which I am very grateful as they do not have alot of income , so if you read this thank you very much.
speak soon
Pam

Arrival at Frondeg

2008-06-29T09:20:00.005+01:00

Arrival at Fron Deg a wonderful Bed and Breakfast very friendly

and homely

2008-06-29T09:10:00.000+01:00

Claire and John owners of Frondeg.

Arrival at Harlech

2008-06-29T09:00:00.006+01:00

The English monarch Edward I built Harlech in the late 13th century to fulfil this very role. It was one of the most formidable of his 'iron ring' of fortresses designed to contain the Welsh in their mountain fastness.
Ironically, in 1404 it was taken by Welsh leader Owain Glyn Dwr who proceeded to hold a parliament here. A long siege here during the Wars of the Roses inspired the stirring song 'Men of Harlech'.

Harlech beach when we arrived just look at the clouds!!!

Julia putting on a brave face battling with the elements. we had walked across the sand dunes to reach this point

I am battling with the winds trying to keep my balance.I am trying to show my soroptimist fleece badge, but beginning to lose my balance.At this point the wind was whistling around us and the sand was getting into our noses and mouth. Horrible

Snowdon Training

2008-06-29T08:57:00.003+01:00

This is the start of the climb this part is quite steep and tarmac road weather was good at this point

Snowdon Training

2008-06-29T08:55:00.004+01:00

This is the train that is on its way up to Snowdon as you can see we can see!!!! This is at the beginning of the climb

Snowdon training

2008-06-29T08:52:00.004+01:00

Picture of Julia singing in the rain!!!!!!!! we are almost half way visibility quite poor but we are still having a laugh .

2008-06-29T08:05:00.000+01:00

Onward and upward at this point we are both really wet I needed wipers for my glasses!!!

2008-06-29T08:00:00.000+01:00

We are just above half way weather is getting very bad but still smiling

Snowdon training

2008-06-29T07:23:00.005+01:00

It is approx 3,560 feet 1085 meters

As you climb up Snowdon you'll not just be climbing in altitude but also in time. The mountain is built on the debris of the past. Almost every step you take will mean climbing on to rock that's younger than the ones below. From the Llanberis Slates - originally mud and silt 400 million years ago and then squeezed under great pressure, - to gritstones then mudstones and siltstones and, on top, rocks made of volcanic ashes and on the very top more slaty beds with the shells of marine animals - showing how once the very summit was deep under a sea bed.

Here is a picture of Snowdon

that we had from the top !!!!!

Training at Fitness First

2008-05-25T16:46:00.002+01:00

2008-05-25T16:44:00.000+01:00

Here I am at the beginning of the programme

2008-05-25T16:40:00.002+01:00

This piece of equipment is brilliant but hard. It is called a stepper to those of you who are not familiar. Sarah and Claire I am on level 20 hope you are impressed my legs aren't.!!!!

Training at Fitness First

2008-05-25T16:35:00.004+01:00

Well I have had a new training programme off James who has been looking after my fitness regime and frankly he is killing me !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! but I do enjoy

Here is the culprit who is putting me through my paces. This all happens at Fitness First which I must say is the friendliest Gym I have been to.

2008-05-23T07:56:00.003+01:00

This is the beginning of the hill with 4 kgs in my rucksack taking a steady jog

2008-05-23T07:54:00.002+01:00

As you can see I have company Senna thinking this is fun

2008-05-23T07:53:00.003+01:00

Senna is still with me but at this point I am too busy breathing to take much notice

2008-05-23T07:51:00.003+01:00

At this point Senna thinks I have had enough you want to go to the top you are on your own!!

2008-05-23T07:48:00.004+01:00

Claire dont ask me to look up just get me the rescue team !!!!!!!

training progress

2008-05-05T15:47:00.003+01:00

It is the 5th May bank holiday Monday . I know it has been a while since I last wrote but I have not been idle. I am walking with Julia on a Sunday for a least 12 miles across Staffordshire way . I shall insert pictures for you to see the lovely countryside. Our map reading is not too clever and we do more than the 12 miles as we get a little lost, all good fun , we still keep laughing when we dont know where we are the map instructions say turn by the oak tree thats fine but there are 5 of them!!!!!!!! one oak tree looks much like another to me. My hubby Doug comes with me on a 4 mile walk most saturdays now this is when we dont get lost Mars and Venus maybe?
I am getting fitter by also going to the gym at least three times a week. James is my trainer he is studying a sports degree at Wolverhampton University I think he is trying to kill me with the programme !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! He keeps telling me cause you can do it only 45 seconds to go ,now that 45 seconds could be years to me at the time as my muscles are aching and the sweat is dripping off me ( nice I know) but once I have achieved my progamme I feel good about it . The next stage is buying equipment for the climb I have a rucksack off Claire my daughter and a water bottle that is in a small ruck sack it holds 2 litres of water and as you walk you can drink from it . Julia and I are getting very excited about the trip. Well that is the training side of it. As for the fund raising well when you look at the just Giving it is going very slowly however I have alot of friends who are running the campaign!!!!!!!!!! Doug keeps telling me remember the hare and tortoise race. what more can I say. I would like to thank Mannie at Wolverhampton University Walsall site SOH who went around to see some of my colleagues and they have contributed , THANK YOU ALL very much , you know who you are. Loraine is approaching colleagues at City site so in anticipation thank you. I shall be writing on the blog more frequently as I keep forgetting how to do it!!! well I shall put some pictures on now so speak soon
Pam xxx

2008-03-23T22:18:00.000Z

Well it may be Easter Sunday but that didn't stop us having a brisk power walk this morning. 2 miles in 36 mins not bad at all. That has set the bench mark so watch this space. Lol

Weather permitting it's off to the Wrekin again tomorrow.

2008-03-23T10:24:00.000Z

Hi I'm Julia the half of the dynamic duo who will be climbing Kilimanjaro in August.

Just Giving web site address

2008-03-22T16:22:00.000Z

http://www.justgiving.com/pamelasmith4 This is the Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA)

http://www.justgiving.com/pamelasmith5 this is Mary Stevens Hospice

Pam

Resting Day 22nd March

2008-03-22T14:49:00.000Z

Today I am resting and clearing out the study !!! sorting this blog out by putting a picture in from yesterday with help from hubby and daughter. My friend Julia will start blogging tomorrow as she is new at this as well.
If anyone reads this have a lovely Easter
Pam

2008-03-22T13:52:00.000Z

Hello! I am Pam and I'm new at this bloggin'!! I am off with my friend Julia to Kilimanjaro, Tanzania to climb it for charity (5895 metres!). We start climbing on the 31st August so we have just begun our training.

I have set up a 'Just Giving' account which will able people to donate to my two charities online. These charities are Mary Stevens Hospice in Dudley and the Riding for the Disabled Association. PLEASE donate generously if you can!

Anyway, back to the training. We started yesterday by climbing the Wrekin in Shropshire which is 400 metres high (so only another 5495 to go!). It was blowing a gale but we did it at a leisurely pace in 40 minutes. We're hoping to do this climb at least once a week and eventually climb Snowdonia in Wales once or twice before we leave.

We have both been in Nursing for many years so we are sensible (sort of) and hopefully will be prepared for the climb in 5 months. The one advantage I have is my daughter, Claire, who has already climbed Kilimanjaro and is giving us lots of tips.