Kilimanjaro with its three volcanic cones, Kibo, Mawensi, and Shira, is an inactive stratovolcano in north-eastern Tanzania. It is the highest freestanding mountain in the world rising 4,600 m (15,100 ft) from its base, and includes the highest peak in Africa at 5,895 meters, providing a dramatic view from the surrounding plains.

The highest point is Uhuru Peak on the volcano Kibo, 5,895 meters. As the highest point in Africa, Uhuru Peak is one of the Seven Summits. The summit was first reached by the Marangu army scout, Yohanas Kinyala Lauwo, German Hans Meyer and Austrian Ludwig Purtscheller, on October 6, 1889.

Climbing to Uhuru peak is considered ‘easy’ in mountaineering terms though still requires perseverance and strength to reach the summit. Ample time must still be spent on acclimatization to prevent altitude sickness- the pounding headaches and sickness which plague many climbers.
Due to the mountains equatorial location as well as its high elevation, Climbers can experience nearly every type of climate and ecosystem on earth during their climb to the top. Starting in the hot and humid jungle, to the moorlands, moonscapes, alpine desert and finally glaciers at the summit.

It is unknown exactly where the name Kilimanjaro comes from, though most assume that it comes from the Swahili, ‘Killima’ for ‘hill’ or ‘little mountain’ and ‘Njaro’ meaning ‘white’ or ‘shining’ 

On the 19th of October i set off to attempt to climb Kilimanjaro, the highest mountain in Africa. My goal over the next 2 years is to reach the summit of the highest mountain on each continent all in aid of the Make A Wish Foundation, an inspiring charity which grants magical wishes to children with life threatening illnesses.

As i stepped of the bus in Moshi, the town at the foot of kilimanjaro i remember looking up at the massive challenge in front of me and wondering how an earth i would ever get to the top, but by the end of the first day at 3100m i knew if i kept going day by day i would eventually get there.

The views on the mountain were amazing, from the green jungle full of wildlife to the baron moonscapes and snow fields on the upper slopes there was always a lanscape which never failed to impress.

Climbing the mountain, each day i made some great new companions from all over the world... a teacher from germany, two spanish climbers... with whom i communicated in hand signals and a group of irish friends who.. in true irish fashion were very amusing along the way (and climbed with a bottle of whiskey.)

So four days into the climb when we reached our high camp at 4800m perched on a windy ridge on the path to the summit everyone felt confident and fired up for the summit bid, which would start at midnight that night. But by 6 when we were settling down for a few hours rest our confidence had been throughly snatched away, with violent winds, a blizzard and a storm coming in.

Getting up in the darkness and starting the climb was a daunting experience, especially as we were all feeling the cold despite our layers of thermals and coats. We set off in a weather break about 12.30 and trudged up the snowy peak all hoping we would be the lucky ones to reach the top in such horrendous weather.

About 3 hours into the summit attempt disaster struck, with the blizzard at its full force the zip on my wind and rain stopper coat completely broke, and with risks of hypothermia in our minds we all had to stop and find shelter somewhere along the exposed mountain face. Our solution provided a little entertainment to other mountaineers: wrapping as much micropore tape and bandages round the coat as we could in an attempt to keep the cold out! I looked more like the michelin man than an 18 year old girl!

With the first problem solved we once again began to shuffle ever further up the face hoping to reach the summit. At sun rise the comparatively few who had reached Stella Point at 5756m stopped for a short tea break to replenish our energy and enjoy the speactacular views, an unimaginably beautiful red glow above the clouds stretching as far as you can see.
by 6.15 we had made it to the summit, in conditions the guides and rangers told us was virtually unheard of on kilimanjaro, and definately some of the worst in the past few years. We took our compulsory photos with the old wooden sign at the top and of the snow covered crater and glaciers below. From the top one of the best views was the ability to see the curvature of the earth below you, and the sky becoming space going from light baby blue to dark blue and almost purple.

I was incredibly lucky to be immune to the effects of altitude sickness which is something that i was dreading.. it definately helped me to get all the way to the top! I felt especially for those sufffering along the way with sickness and excruciating headaches.

Once we had made it back down to moshi, i had the oppurtunity to deliver a box of gifts, toys and stationary from my school to the Amani Childrens Home, a home for orphans and street children from around moshi. I was inspired by all the hard work that the staff at the home put into making the childrens lives happy, and at how friendly and helpful the children were. They were all big fans of the football premier league, with many a manchester united and arsenal fan, but after seeing my saint shirt, there is now a small, but very dedicated new saints fan base in moshi, tanzania. All of whom are rooting for the saints to win all their games, despite not knowing what rugby was!

Visiting Tanzania and climbing Kilimanjaro was the best thing i have ever done.. so far! Getting to the summit was amazing, the incredible feeling of acheiving something you wanted to acheive so much and knowing i am one step closer to making my dream of climbing the 7 summits come true. Hopefully i will reach the top of the next summit of Aconcagua, over 1000m higher,only 6 weeks away. one down... six to go!