Text from the girls

Dear all

We had a 3 hour walk this morning, very steep and extremely rocky. We were high up and saw the amazing view of the summit. We wrote the words  chai  out of rocks. Those rocks will remain there forever, no wind or person will ever move them. The tears were flowing and once again we were emotional wrecks, something that happens daily, we are supporting each other with lots of hugs and words of encouragement. But better out than in! 

We've had a restful afternoon, some have slept, or played cards over tea and biscuits. It's very hot, too hot to sit out in. We are about to bring in our Shabbas on Kilimanjaro and it will be an early night, we must be packed and organised. 

Tomorrow we rise at 5.45 and must leave by 6.45. It's an 8/9 hour walk to get to our next base where we will have dinner and rest for a couple of hours. 

At midnight we will start our climb to the  summit in 2 groups, this is a 5 hour walk in the dark in minus 30. 

So whilst you're all enjoying Shabbas, spare a thought and say your prayers for us, we cannot hide the fact that we are nervous about tomorrow. 

But  We are all in fantastic spirits and determined to make it. Our local guides are truly amazing who have supported us every step of the way, and you cannot do it without them, they are some of the most special people we have ever met. 

Gwyn, our main tour guide has been our inspiration. He briefs us daily and looks after us like we are his children. Needless to say, we have driven him mad and he cannot believe how much we talk whilst climbing. 

As you know we miss all our families and can't wait to see you all. 

Loads of love the girls.  

Xx 

To sponsor the 23 girls and support Chai Cancer Care please click here.

Chai-er and Chai-er we go!

We have just arrived at our base camp for the next two days. It was really exciting for quite a few of us as struggling with sleeping bags and knowing we didn't have to pack tomorrow was just fab. 

We sat down for lunch...chips! I mean who would have thought we were going to make chip butties, and we stuffed ourselves big time!

Fabiana told us a beautiful story in the mess tent about an orthodox woman who wanted to climb Kilimanjaro. Some of us sat and listened which was really lovely, it was an emotional story which we all related to and confirmed the spirituality that is deep inside of all of us. And most importantly why we are here. Our commitment to chai, to the people we love who have been helped and are still being helped by those amazing people who keep it all going.  Without doubt we know why we are here!  Others have gone for a lie down. There are a few that are suffering from altitude sickness which is tough as we all feel responsible for each other and in truth we want us all to be well. Gwyn - our main man- is truly impressed with us and is hoping we will all make it. We had dinner and off we went to our tents. What is fantastic is the laughter that comes from the tents in the middle of the night. 

We cannot go any further without a brief mention of the toilet facilities. We are changed women, and all we can say is the rocks are getting smaller to hide behind! 

It is now day 5. We all know what is ahead if us and yes we are nervous. The schedule for tomorrow is strict and a minute cannot be lost. So leaving camp in the morning is crucial.  We will walk for 9 hours followed by an early dinner and we leave at approx midnight for that final climb. 

We know that the spirit will see us through it. We have a beautiful evening prepared, with thanks to Angela for our chollas. 

We might not get another blog through till after Shabbat, but we will try. 

If not wish us luck and Shabbat shalom to all. 

 

Please send us your comments. It will really encourage us!

With love,

Chai Altitude Xx

To sponsor the 23 girls and support Chai Cancer Care please click here.

Living the Chai Life!

     

    

Please send us your comments. It will really encourage us!

With love,

Chai Altitude Xx

To sponsor the 23 girls and support Chai Cancer Care please click here.

Some Snaps of Kilimanjaro So Far!

 
 
 

 

 

With love,

Chai Altitude Xx

To sponsor the 23 girls and support Chai Cancer Care please click here.

This is our Mountain!

(more photos below)

This is what we woke up to this morning! That's our mountain! 

We had a tough day yesterday. Over 8 hours of walking...obviously up hill :). Our lunch stop was fantastic as always, we tucked in to some soup, salad and cake. We were all in good spirits but towards the end of yesterday the emotions were running high. Some of us were walking really far behind the front and ended up walking the last hour in the dark. The terrain was incredibly tough. We were tired and emotional last night but the smiles on our faces were just so big. 

This is really the most incredible experience but tougher than we all thought. It's hard to sleep and very few of us do. Rachel Vecht and Debbie Hatchwell had a good night and Bernice snores so she definitely sleeps.  We have headaches but very little sickness.

Today is a hard but short day and its all about us getting even more acclimatised for the big summit night.

We have just finished yet again a delicious breakfast and we are off for the steep climb to Mawenzi Tarn camp 4335 meters above sea level.  

With love,

Chai Altitude Xx

To sponsor the 23 girls and support Chai Cancer Care please click here.

Back at Camp!

We are all OK. Its been a very long day, 9 hours of walking on very rocky terrain. 

We are all very tired and a little emotional but we have all made it! We are having hot soup & are now feeling much better.  We are 3600 above sea level & very proud of each other.  

We have little signal so big love & kisses to all our families. 

A Summery of Day One!

After an hours drive to the start of our climb, we arrived at the base of Kilimanjaro. We signed yet another disclaimer had our packed lunch which was a bun and crisps yumm!  We then met with another group of South African rugby players. That brightened up a few faces! 

We were then introduced to our porters who will carry our bags for the next six days. We have Moses our chef, King Solomon a porter, Abraham and Florence our head local guides. They are all fantastic people and are looking after us beautifully.

We started our climb at 1pm today, it was steep through a fantastic rain forest, and we saw the small black monkeys jumping through the trees. It was all amazing!!

It’s not that hot, in fact it’s raining and we were all hoping for a sun tan! We made several comfort breaks today and all inhibitions no longer exist!  There have been moments of giddy laughter, lots of conversations and the bond is getting stronger. ‘Pole pole’ is the term most used which means ‘slowly slowly’. And that is what we have done today. We arrived at camp to see all the tents set up. Tea and popcorn was served in our fabulous restaurant style tent, we kid you not. We had dinner, loads more laughter, and then it was time for bed! 

Some of us have never slept in a tent before but regardless of that fact no one slept except Bernice who snored all night! We are either freezing cold or boiling hot. 

Send more money, this is more than out of our comfort zones! 

To sponsor the 23 girls and support Chai Cancer Care please click here.

Follow Chai Cancer Care on Facebook and like our page! 

With Love,

Team Chai Altitude Xx