Trek to the Roof of Africa 2014

Trek to the Roof of Africa, Kilimanjaro, Tanzania 

4 – 12 July, 2014

High altitude trek – 6 days – 5,892m

This is G4G’s 47th challenge

Join us for our return to ‘Kili’ (as she is affectionately known) for the seventh time in 13 years for one of our most popular trekking adventures.   Taking the Marangu route on the eastern side of the mountains, we trek through dramatically varying terrains including rain forests, meadows, moorlands and ‘The Saddle’ – a high altitude, 5km wide desert.   The journey steadily takes us to the renowned Gilman’s Point (5,681m) and the glaciated summit at Uhuru Peak (5,895m).   Two acclimatization days are included.

Level: This is an EXTREME test of fitness, but achievable by anyone in good health, willing to train for a minimum of 3 months to build fitness and stamina.    Mount Kilimanjaro is not a technical climb, but there are plenty of challenging sections and trekking at high altitude is tough.   G4G run a number of free training sessions before the challenge

Number of participants: Maximum 25 per group

Registration Fee: AED 2,200/- (US$ 600) Non-refundable, non-transferable and not a part of the sponsorship target 

Minimum sponsorship: AED 19,500/-

Assistance provided in advance by G4G: Sponsorship ideas; training & fitness suggestions; safety & medical advice; clothing & equipment advice

What G4G provides on the Challenge: Flights and transfers, accommodation (on a double-occupancy basis and dormitory style in huts on the mountain), food, guides, medical support

Essential to leave behind: Day-to-day problems

Essential to bring: Determination & a sense of humour!


Closing date: As soon as the first 25 people are registered

Trek to the Roof of Africa 2014, Kilimanjaro, Tanzania

4 – 12 July 2014 

High altitude trek

Flight times and carriers are subject to availability at the time. Gulf For Good reserves the right to make changes to the proposed itinerary at any time.

Day 1: July 4, Friday 

Depart Dubai. Arrive Kilimanjaro. (Flight times to be confirmed). Transfer to hotel

Overnight in Marangu Hotel 

Day 2: July 5, Saturday 

In the morning, we visit the charity where we meet representatives of the charity.

In the afternoon we transfer by coach to a spot near Kilaremo for a short walk to some lovely waterfalls, as well as a quick stop in the local market.

In the evening, there will be a final kit check and pre-trek briefing.

Overnight in Marangu Hotel

Day 3: July 6, Sunday 

Trekking: Marangu to Mandara Hut (2,740m) 4 hours

The first day’s climb is relatively easy and passes through rain forest to reach Mandara Hut.  We have a great chance to enjoy the verdant scenery, abundant bird life and monkeys that inhabit the forest.

We have lunch along the way before reaching the hut, where there is some time to relax and explore before dinner.

Overnight at Mandara Hut

Day 4: July 7, Monday 

Trekking: Mandara to Horombo Hut (3,800m) 6-7 hours

After breakfast, we trek for about half an hour before emerging from the rain forest into Alpine meadow.  The rest of the trek today is beautiful, with splendid views and spectacular vegetation.

Overnight in Horombo Hut  

Day 5: July 8, Tuesday 

Horombo Hut (Rest/acclimatization day at 3,800m)

There is a gentle trek to the Zebra rocks.

Overnight at Horombo Hut

Day 6: July 9, Wednesday 

Trekking: Horombo to Kibo Hut (4,700m) – 6 hours

After breakfast, we begin the climb to the Kibo Hut.   The route crosses the saddle between the peaks of Kibo and Mawenzi abd then onto the high altitude desert, before reaching the hut.   Tonight, we have an early dinner!

Overnight at Kibo Hut

Day 7: July 10, Thursday

Trekking: Kibo Hut to Summit (5,892m), descent to Horombo Hut – 12 hours

Rising at 1:00am, we start the ascent to attempt the summit.

We reach the rim of the crater at Gilman’s Point after a steep 6 hour climb up a loose scree slope.   From here, those of us who still have the energy to spare (!) continue on around the snow-covered rim to the highest point, Uhuru Peak, taking around an extra 2 hours in total.

All climbers descend past Kibo hut to the Horombo Hut for a well-earned overnight rest.

Overnight at Horombo Hut

Day 8: July 11, Friday

Trekking: Horombo Hut to Park Gate

Today, we complete the descent to the Marangu Gate via the Mandara hut.   We then are transported to the hotel for a celebratory dinner.

Overnight at the Marangu Hotel

Day 9: July 12, Saturday

The group departs from Kilimanjaro for their flights to Dubai.

Climate

 Temperature during the Kilimanjaro trek can range from a humid 26°C during the first day to -18°C on the summit day. Temperatures can drop to -20°C or more in the early hours approaching the crater rim.   Daytime temperature during the climb is usually between 15°C to 20°C but at higher altitudes, you need to be prepared for freezing conditions.   It can be cloudy and even rain at any time of the year.

Health

The most important and simple thing you can do to prevent illness is to be properly immunized.   Second most important – follow food and drink guidelines.  We will provide you with a list of immunizations upon registration.  There is a reasonable risk of altitude sickness, so talk to your doctor about it. 

In Dubai, the required vaccinations are available at the Travel Clinic at Al Mankhool Health Center in Bur Dubai: 04 502 1200 (walk in clinic open Sunday – Thursday from 7:30am – 2:00pm.  CASH ONLY) 

Dr. Kersten Elliot, a chiropodist/podiatrist from Dubai Physiotherapy and Family medicine Clinic, 04 349 6333, is happy to provide a 50% discount on consultation fees – please take your G4G Registration Cover Letter as proof that you are a registered challenger.

Once there, several more precautions can be taken.   Use of good mosquito repellents and proper hygiene should be practiced, such as regular hand washing and the use of hand cleaning gel prior to eating in order to prevent passage of viruses and germs.   Follow food and drink guidelines. As always, seek medical care if you feel sick.

The trek is described as EXTREME and reaches altitudes of over 19,000 feet.   You need to be fit and healthy to participate.   It is essential to walk slowly and drink a lot of water throughout your trek. 

Training

You will be walking for several hours per day, sometimes up steep inclines, so it is important that you start a training programme at least three months prior to the Challenge.   Most gyms will be happy to assist you in achieving your fitness (and some may even help you with sponsorship!)  The challenge is described as a high intensity test of all round fitness.   You need to be fit and healthy to participate.

Visa information

Check if your passport is valid for at least 6 months prior to travel.   You should also have a couple of clean pages (no stamps!) left in the passport.   You will need a visa for Tanzania.

Tanzania:

It is advisable to obtain the visa in advance.   It is issued on the same day at the Tanzanian Embassy in Abu Dhabi and after 3 working days at the Tanzanian Consulate in Dubai.   The visa is only valid for travel within two months of application.   For more information visit http://www.tanzania-uae.org.ae/

You will need:

1. Completed Application Form
2. Payment in Cash
3. Original Passport
4. One passport photocopy
5. Two passport photographs

Travel & Medical Insurance

G4G can arrange travel and medical insurance for all participants.   You will be required to pay your insurance premium in addition to your sponsorship target.    Further details about the premium, type of cover, insurance terms and conditions, etc. are available on request.  (Aed 20 per day)  If you are a resident of UAE and have your own Insurance cover, please ensure that you are covered for activities such as trekking high altitudes in Tanzania and provide us with a copy of the policy.

Sponsorship

A comprehensive sponsorship booklet is included in  your challenge pack.  There  are many different sorts of activities you could consider to help build  support for your challenge amongst family, friends and colleagues.    Seeking sponsorship in this way increases your profile, creates more  goodwill and raises awareness of the work of the nominated charities.    The G4G office can give you names of previous challengers who will be  happy to offer advice and maybe even assistance. Be aware that there are   rules and regulations controlling public fundraising in the UAE – if   you have any questions, contact our office.

Safety

We take your safety very seriously.   It is our first and never forgotten priority.   Please listen to your guides and follow their instructions. 

Respect for the Environment

We maintain a firm commitment to conserve the areas we work in and ask you to do the same.   Take only photographs and leave behind only footprints!

What We Supply

Return flights from Dubai, daily meals, water and accommodation.    All your gear will be transported each day to the night stop, except daily necessities carried in your own daypack

A Typical Day

You will receive a full pre-trek briefing.   A normal day on the trek would start at 7.00AM with the delivery of a bowl of hot water for washing, to each hut.   Breakfast is served in the dining hut and you should have packed up and be ready to leave by 8.00AM.   The average walk per day varies from one hut to another but is usually 4 to 7 hours apart from the 11 to 12 hours trek to the summit and back down to Horombo Hut on Day 7.   A picnic lunch is served each day along the route.   There is time to relax, socialize, play games or explore the area before dinner.   Washing facilities are limited but there are ablution blocks at each hut (though no water at Kibo).

Special dietary requirements can be catered for with prior notice.   Bottled water is available throughout the day from porters/guides.

Mental   Preparation
It is well within you to complete this challenge.   Remain in a positive state of mind, without being overly confident. This mental stamina will make the more difficult parts easier to complete.   Always focus on your goal and do not get involved in inconsequential matters that will rob you of your concentration.   Being physically prepared assists a great deal in being mentally confident for the physical part of the challenge, so train hard!

Miscellaneous Information

East Africa is 1 hour behind the UAE.

Local Currency: Tanzania shilling (TZS)

Take US$, Sterling Pounds or Euros in cash to change.

1 TZS = 0.000638268 USD

1 USD = 1,566.74 TZS

1 TZS = 0.000444589 EURO

1EUR = 2,249.27 TZS

1 AED = 426.738 TZS

1 TZS = 0.00234336 AED

 For reference:

1 can of coke = 0.30$, or 500-1,000 TZS (depending on shop)

A good reference book is the Tanzania edition of the Lonely Planet publications, available in Dubai from Magrudy’s, Borders, Books Plus and Book Corner.

Electricity in Tanzania is 230 Volts, alternating at 50 cycles per second.   Outlets in Tanzania are generally British style plugs with 2 flat blades and 1 flat grounding blade.   However, some may be the plug D type and an adaptor will be required.

• G4G Representative: James Berry
• Tom Berry
• Ehab Hassan
• Abdul Karim Samaan
• Joyce Choueri
• Matthew Palmer
• Nicola Kelly
• Denise Higginbottom
• Polly Nikolova
• Lucy Smith
• Jennifer Bufton
• Craig O’Sullivan
• Anita Tuyo
• Loraine Lawton
• Clair Hattle
• Jonathon Davidson

Village Education Project, Tanzania

After having successfully supported the “KiliProject” through the 2003 and 2006 G4G Kilimanjaro challenges, we are delighted to support the Kiliproject again through the Trek to the Roof of Africa 2014.

Sponsorship from the G4G challenge will be used to build classrooms at ‘Sumaye’ a primary school on the plains to the south of Moshi town.

Sumaye needs seven classrooms for its classes (standard I to VII) and yet it only has three classrooms. There are 244 pupils. The children are taught outside under trees, under a plastic tarpaulin or in the small kitchen hut, until it becomes too hot with the overhead sun, or too wet in the rainy season to be able to carry on.

To read more about Sumaye and the Kili Project click

You can rest assured that Gulf for Good do not just hand out money to the charities we support! We request detailed proposals for capital projects – hospital wards, orphanage buildings, classrooms, fresh water facilities, medical equipment, etc. We have a system whereby we check these proposals with the assistance of an independent third party in the charity’s country. Once approved and the funds raised, we will usually pay some money up front to allow the project to start, the rest only being paid against invoices and after suffucient verifications.

Please go to our Charity pages to see the range and breadth of charity projects we have supported in the past.

Personal Equipment

Travel light!  Do limit the weight of your luggage on the trail to less than 15 Kgs and less than 20 Kgs overall.   Bags should be soft sided with no hard corners and are to be clearly marked and lockable.    Do not take or wear any valuables on the trip, it is best to leave them at home.   The key to staying comfortable while climbing is layering.   To get maximum comfort with minimum weight, you need versatile layers that mix and match to create the right amount of insulation.   This kit list is provided to help you choose your equipment and clothing for this trip.

Please refer to the Kit List below.   All the items required for the trip can be purchased from major sports shops & camping suppliers in U.A.E.

How to Pack:
Your clothes and equipment should fall into  two following categories:

1. What you are going to wear and need on the tour.   This should fit into a  single bag and will be transported each day from site to site. The bag the porter carries for you should not exceed 15kgs/33lbs.   If  bags are too heavy, items may have to be removed or the climber may  choose to hire an additional porter
2. What you are going to carry in your daypack.

Carry an extra T-shirt in your daypack.   When you stop trekking you may feel  cold after sweating and need to change your shirt or add a layer to prevent  chills.

Most of your clothing that you are not actually wearing will be  carried by your porter.   Although a guide will always accompany you on the trail,  you are unlikely to see your porter except at the huts or the camps.   Therefore  it is important you pack carefully the smaller Day Pack you carry yourself.    Anything you need during the course of the day should be in your Day Pack,  including, most importantly something warm and something  waterproof.

Camera
Taking pictures with a fully  automatic camera at altitude is perfectly possible, but always have a new  battery in your camera when going into cold areas.   A mechanical camera works  just as well, provided you have the knowledge to operate it successfully.    Cameras exposed to cold do not cease functioning, but if you keep it inside your  jacket and the lens is warm, it will likely form condensation when suddenly  exposed to cold.   This condensation will freeze under certain conditions.    Therefore, keep your cameras dry at all times.

There are numerous classic  photo opportunities.   It is recommended that serious photographers take a small  portable tripod, as it could be cold enough that you cannot keep the camera  steady.

Mental  Preparation
It is well within you to  complete this challenge.   Remain in a positive state of mind, without being  overly confident. This mental stamina will make the more difficult parts easier  to complete.   Always focus on your goal and do not get involved in  inconsequential matters that will rob you of your concentration.   Being  physically prepared assists a great deal in being mentally confident for the  physical part of the Challenge.

Compulsory
A good attitude and a sense of  humor!

KIT LIST

Base Layer:

• 1 Pair Medium Thermal Underwear leggings (long) –  Avoid Cotton
• 1 Pair Medium Thermal Underwear top (long) – Avoid  Cotton
• 4 pairs wicking sock liners. Cotton to be avoided
• Regular underwear – wicking material

Thermal Layer:

• Fleece jacket or equivalent – full zip is best for  temperature regulation
• Fleece pants or equivalent
• 1 pair light, mid-weight thermal gloves
• 3 pairs heavy/thermal hiking socks – worn over  sock liners
• Quick Dry shirts
• Down jacket
• Fleece scarf or equivalent
• Fleece hat or equivalent
• Optional, but recommended – synthetic-filled vest,  ear muff

Outer Shell:

• Long length waterproof, windproof, breathable  jacket  (eg Gore-tex or equivalent). Must be big enough to go over all the other  layers
• Trousers waterproof, windproof, breathable (eg:  Gore-tex)
• Poncho or rain jacket
• NOTE: The above layers work much better than a  single huge parka!

 Additional Gear:

• Sleeping bag rated to at least -5C, preferably  -15C
• 25 – 35 litre day pack, with padded shoulder and  hip straps and a couple of outside pockets
• Medium weight hiking boots (Gore-tex recommended  or treated leather boots or equivalent) with new laces
• Running-type shoes
• Sandals/flip flops – easy for quick trips while  camping!
• Tracksuit trousers (with zip-off legs if you can  find them!)
• 2 pairs warm trousers
• 2-3 pairs Trekking trousers with zip-off legs
• Trekking shirts/t-shirts: short-sleeved; at least  one long-sleeved lightweight; and at least one long-sleeved warm
• 2 sets travelling gear (trousers, shirt, shoes,  socks, underwear)
• Wide-brimmed hat for sun and rain
• Trekking poles
• Sunglasses (and extra prescription lenses or  contacts)
• Protective glasses – clear for contact lens  wearers in dusty, cold conditions
• Sunscreen SPF 30+
• Lip Balm with sunscreen
• Water bottles (insulated) and hydration bladder :  3 litre combined capacity
• Quick Dry Towel – medium size
• Wash Cloth & Toilet Paper
• Buff or Bandana
• 1 Headlamp with extra bulb & batteries
• Camera with extra film, batteries & lenses
• Trail snacks – energy/granola bars, bars, nuts,  toffees, etc
• Packs of energy powder mix for drinking
• Neck pouch and/or Money belt to carry money,  permits and passport photocopies while traveling
• Travel documents, including copy of passport
• 4 extra passport-sized pictures for visas and  permits (just in case!)
• Cash currency (US$ and local currency)
• Swiss Army Knife with scissors and tweezers
• Personal toiletries and medication
• Plastic bags for packing & zip-lock bags –  assorted sizes are very useful for storing and keeping dry all sorts of things!
• Mini first aid kit (main kit carried by group  medic)
• Wet Wipes and anti-bacterial hand wash (for use  when water and soap are not available

Note:

Light clothing is generally sufficient until you reach the 3-4000 Metre / 12-14,000 Feet altitude range provided you always have something warm and waterproof right with you.   Beyond these altitudes, even if the mornings are glorious, you must always be ready for dramatic changes in the weather including snowstorms.   You must have clothing with you appropriate to the conditions.

It is for the final ascent that all your warm clothing is important.   The ascents are normally done at night and this is when the coldest temperatures are experienced.   You must be prepared for temps of –25° c/-13° f.   As a rule you should wear 2 pairs of socks, 3 layers on the legs, 4-5 layers on top.   As Balaclava or Ski mask is necessary to keep the head warm and you should have a hood to protect your head from wind along with mittens and dark glasses.