Lets go climb a mountain!
Well, let me clarify;… trek, lets go trek up a mountain! I’m not dangling off the side of anyone’s mountain by a thread most call a ‘safety rope’, or ice picks. My upper body strength isn’t up to par mate. This challenge is multifaceted for me. My favourite landscape is the view of distant mountains. Whether I’m looking down through a clear blue sky from the window of a plane, standing from afar looking into the distance, with mountains around, or at the top of Mount Titlis in Switzerland surrounded by the Alps; it is a view that evokes unexplainable emotions for me. In an odd way, it reflects how wondrous our world is, how small I am within it, and how much greater God is for creating it all.
I’ve always wanted to climb a mountain! It is one of the many things on my bucket list! The closest I’ve been so far is trekking up Deer Creek Canyon Park in Denver Colorado, or cheating by taking a cable car up Mount Titlis! Well, I’m doing away with trekking hills and cable cars! In view of making my #30b430 challenge more exciting, I am about to embark on 4 mountain climbs! Yep, you heard correctly. This city chick who has no regard for camping and is hoping there are mini boutique hotels for ‘camp sites’ will be thugging it out with a trip to Tanzania, Africa to trek up Mount Kilimanjaro! (My heart actually beats a tad bit faster with anxiety when I think about this). As you have probably guessed, I am inexperienced, I have never done a marathon walk/climb/run before, and I have spent no more than 45minutes at a time on a treadmill! –With all the fears that go hand in hand with this, I am actually very excited. I will be pushing myself to an extreme, miles outside my comfort zone.
Preparation
Well, as I mentioned I will be conquering 4 mountains in total. 3 of these are known as the Three Peaks, which are going to be used as training and practice for Kilimanjaro (did I mention this is the biggest mountain in all of AFRICA?! *insert quickened heart rate here*) – The 3 peaks are located in 3 countries within the United Kingdom.
1) Snowdon –Wales
2) Ben Nevis - Scotland
3) Scafell Pike -England (pray for my strength)
With multiple visits already to Mountain Warehouse (the staff and I now know each other on a first name basis) I have most of my gear for the 3 peaks, including my hiking boots! The 3 Peaks will all be day trips as the longest trek according to my research has taken the average person 7 hours up and down the mountain. I definitely need to get a world of more gear and clothing for Kilimanjaro, as it is a full 6 days with the last day trekking for 17hours!
Making a difference
So, I have partnered up with an amazing charity, for which I am committed to raising money! Macmillan Cancer Support is a charity who provide amazing support to any and everyone affected by cancer. They provide support from diagnosis, through to treatment and beyond. Unfortunately, my family, and close family friends, have lost quite a number of dear ones to cancer ALREADY this year. I struggled to think of which charity I could raise money for, but with all the recent losses, Macmillan Cancer Support was a no brainer. Experience has shown me first hand that support is so necessary, especially in uncertain times. The support provided by Macmillan is a blessing and for obvious reasons is VERY close to my heart. Please! Please!! Please!! click here and visit my Virgin Money Giving and donate whatever you can! Don't forget to add gift aid if you're a UK Tax payer *smile*
Why Mount Kilimanjaro?
Well, it’s quite simple for me really… Why not? – Some of you may be able to come up with quite convincing reasons. However, in my pursuit to do away with fear, try something new, hit my #30b430 goal, and raise money for an AMAZING cause?... I am really left with the question ‘why not?’…