Day 4 - Climb Day 2

We were awoken this morning at 6. It is easily the most glorious morning so far, providing us with a tantalising first sight of our ultimate destination at Uhuru. However, if the morning splendour and hearty breakfast put everyone in high spirits, the trek to lunch proved to be pure attrition. As the climb progressed, so the health of several of our party deteriorated as the full extent of altitude sickness began to take hold. By the time we reached our lunch stop, perched on a splendid point at 3600m, our base began to resemble a medical centre. Undeterred, with an understanding that this is normal and a few calming words to those concerned, the group progressed slowly on. By the time we reached our final camp this evening, everyone in the group had recovered sufficiently well.

Our first two days on the mountain have cemented just how tough this challenge can be. It's an amazing place with unique beauty and for me a real privilege to be exploring its secrets once again. However, today has reinforced the warning that you can take nothing for granted. You must possess mental toughness to see this challenge through. It remain to be seen just how many of the group will exhibit this over the coming days.