Yes this is it, it’s 4 o’clock in the morning and I’m almost packed, still not 100% sure what exactly I  need to  take… I will be climbing through all types of terrain and climate, from  traverse rain forest, moorland, alpine desert, snow fields and ice cliffs, and all virtually on the equator!

This makes packing pretty difficult as I  have to have clothing and equipment to cover all of this! Now I’m wishing I just  took that beach holiday in Spain, and to make matters worse it’s currently  snowing on the mountain!

I set off from Brighton at a bout 5 and my flight leaves Heathrow at about 10.30 to
Narobi. After arriving in Nairobi, I will then probably be  getting on one of them fragile little prop planes fixed with gaffa tape to fly  to the little village of Moshi. Sure an hour on this plane beats spending 10  hours on the bus. Finally arriving at Moshi, Tanzania at about midnight on Saturday and start the climb on Monday.

I have spent a very frantic week getting things sorted at work for while I am away and also picking up clothing and equipment. To warrant spending all this additional cash I have decided to go skiing next year so that I use all this warm weather clothing again!

Anyway I just wanted you all to know what was happening so you can think of me freezing at the top of the mountain (should reach the top by next Saturday… hopefully).

So this is it, I’m off. Wish me good luck and and be prepard for lots of travel stories when I get back!! Thanks to everyone who sponsored me, and if you would still like to you can do so here:
http://www.justgiving.com/dougplatts

Take care

Doug – the kili climber