Introduction to our Kilimanjaro Expedition

Click on the graphic below to check out our introductory blog-post explaining all the details of our Kilimanjaro fund-raising expedition.

Introduction to our Kilimanjaro Expedition

All other blog posts can be accessed by clicking on their respective titles under the "Blog Archive" located in the light green column to the right of this post.

"To the Children & Future of Palestine"

Detailed Itenary of our Kilimanjaro Climb

Elephants grazing in the Kilimanjaro National Park, Tanzania

DAY ONE:

Today you will depart from Johannesburg International Airport arriving at Kilimanjaro International Airport . You will be met by our representative and transferred to you hotel in Moshi where you will relax before departing on your Kili climb tomorrow.

DAY TWO:

After breakfast you will be transferred from Moshi to Marangu Gate - once you reach the gate, you will sign the register at the Park office and make your final preparations for the climb. Your team of porters will arrange and load their packs, containing the food, water, cooking gas and most of your equipment. It is important to have all your daypack items such as drinking water, a lunch pack and extra clothing with you and not with the porters, as they will ascend a lot quicker than your group.

When you leave the Park gate you will take a cleared ridge trail through the cultivation zone, where you will see how local farmers manage and produce their goods on the side of the mountain, before you enter the rain forest. This is possibly the most beautiful part of your climb, surrounded by lush forest and sometimes thick clouds.

After stopping for lunch and a rest, you will head off to Mandara Hut where you will stay overnight. This camp consists of a group of wooden A-framed huts situated in a forest clearing, with each hut sleeping 6 - 8 hikers in bunk beds. All the huts are equipped with solar generated lighting and this camp has a total capacity of 60 hikers. Spring water is piped into the camp and you will find flush toilets behind the main hut.

• Today's Route: Marangu Gate - Mandara hut
• Altitude range: 1970 metres - 2710 metres
• Hiking time: About 5 hours Distance: 12 kilometres
• Habitat: Rain forest

DAY THREE:

Early in the morning you will begin your ascent again - from Mandara hut the trail passes through a short stretch of forest, and then heads around the base of the Maundi Crater where you will leave the rain forest and enter the moorland zone.
On the way, we recommend that you take a short detour up to the rim of the Maundi Crater , from here you see the impressive Kibo Crater, and on a clear day you will also be able to see the glaciers of Kibo ,this is a great photographic opportunity, so get your camera ready.
Keep your camera handy because you will encounter some of Kilimanjaro's most spectacular and strange plants in the open moorland - with giant lobelia and groundsel growing to heights of 3 metres and 5 metres respectively!
Later in the afternoon you will reach the Horombo hut for your next overnight stay, where you will have hot washing water, an evening meal prepared by your cook. Your hut will be comfortable enough to ensure a good nights rest. Temperatures during the night will be around freezing point.

• Today's Route: Mandara hut - Horombo hut
• Altitude range: 2710 metres - 3725 metres
• Hiking time: About 6 hours Distance: 15 kilometres
• Habitat: Moorland

DAY FOUR:

Today is acclimatisation day so you will stay based at Horombo hut. From here we recommend taking the hike past Zebra Rocks to Mawenzi hut , this hike forms an important part of the acclimatisation process. The hike will take you 3 hours on the ascent, and a further 1 hours for the descent back to camp. Remember to keep your water intake levels up, and not too rush this hike.

Horombo hut is actually a village of huts with double the capacity of Mandara camp , both ascending and descending hikers meet here with all the guides, porters and cooks on their respective routes - so this camp is normally full and buzzes with activity and excitement.
All meals for the day are provided at Horombo hut. Tonight you will have a good opportunity to get to bed early for a good night's sleep , make the most of it because you will need all the energy you can get for the next couple of days.

• Today's Route: Horombo hut , Zebra hut , Mawenzi hut
• Altitude range: 3725 metres
• Hiking time: 4 hours Distance: 6 - 8 kilometres
• Habitat: Alpine desert

DAY FIVE:

Today the climb gets a little more difficult with your walk up to Kibo hut, which is approximately 4,700m. The oxygen at these altitudes begins to thin out considerably and you will start to feel it. The climb today will be about 5 - 7 hours and takes you through the last part of the Moorland and into the highlands desert. This a barren area of extreme conditions, with temperatures at night sometimes dropping to below freezing point and daytime temperatures being relatively high. At Kibo hut, you will rest, have dinner and try to have a really good night's rest.
After breakfast you now continue your ascent From Horombo into the Alpine desert habitat, taking one of the two trails to the "Saddle", located between the peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo.
The upper route will look familiar to you if you took the hike to Mawenzi hut yesterday. Rather stick to the lower route which is much easier and has the added benefit of taking you past the last watering point. Unless you are willing to buy mineral water at Kibo hut, you should stock up with all the water you will need - the next watering point will be at Horombo hut when you return there on your descent the night after next. Once again remember to take it slowly and drink enough water.

After lunch you will reach Horombo hut, a large stone house which can comfortably sleep 60 hikers in bunk beds , remember there is no water supply at this camp, although you can buy mineral water and soft drinks at the camp office. There are toilet facilities behind the hut.
Spend time this afternoon preparing your equipment as you will be making your final ascent tonight , you will need your ski-stick and extra thermal clothing for your summit bid also ensure that your headlamp and camera batteries are in order and make sure you have spare sets of batteries available as well. Carry your water in a thermal flask otherwise it will freeze later.
Make sure you are in bed by 19h00 - you will need all the sleep you can get before your very early wake up call in only 4 hours time.

• Today's Route: Horombo hut - Kibo hut
• Altitude range: 3725 metres - 4710 metres
• Hiking time: 6 hours Distance: 15 - 16 kilometres
• Habitat: Alpine desert

DAY SIX:

Today will by far be your toughest day, you will rise and hopefully shine at around 23h30, and after some tea and biscuits you head off into the cold night up a rocky path towards to the Hans Meyer Cave at 5150 metres , you may take a short rest here before continuing your ascent up to Gillman's point at 5 680 metres. Probably the most demanding section of the entire route as it is very steep and stony ,slowly and carefully here. From Gillmans Point, you will more than likely be walking through snow for the next 2 hours, when you will finally reach the summit of Uhuru Peak at 5895 metres. Well done ,you have conquered Kilimanjaro, the highest freestanding mountain in the world!

Don't get too relaxed and spend too much time on the summit, even if the weather is good. Cold and fatigue will set in quickly and you may find it very difficult to get started again. So spend a little time to enjoy the fact that you have conquered Kilimanjaro, get the camera out and take some pictures, then it will be best that you get moving again , it's a long way down!
The first part of your descent to Kibo hut will take almost another 3 hours. After a short rest you will begin the next part of your descent , it will take another 3 hours of hiking to get to Horombo hut where you will spend the night. Later you can enjoy your last dinner on the mountain. You will no doubt have a good sleep, feeling exhilarated and proud of your achievement.

• Today's Route: Kibo hut - Uhuru Peak - Horombo hut
• Altitude range: 4700 metres ; 5895 metres ; 3720 metres
• Hiking time: About 14 hours
• Distance: About 27 kilometres in total
• Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit

DAY SEVEN:

After an early and well-deserved breakfast, you continue your descent passing the Mandara hut, down to the Marangu gate , this will take the best part of 6 hours.At Marangu gate you sign your name and details in a register. To make your achievement official, you will receive a summit certificate. If you reached Gillman's Point you will be presented with a green certificate, and if you made it all the way to Uhuru Peak you will have earned yourself a gold certificate.

You will then take a road transfer back to Moshi where you will be welcomed back to your hotel. Take some time out for a long hot shower, and indulge and celebrate before getting a decent night's rest in a comfortable bed.Final Descent

• Today's Route: Horombo hut - Marangu Gate
• Altitude range: 3720m - 1980m
• Hiking time: 1980m
• Distance: About 27 kilometres
• Habitat: Moorland and Rain forest

INFORMATION ABOUT OUR KILIMANJARO EXPEDITION

Click on the graphic below to check out our introductory blog-post explaining all the details of our Kilimanjaro fund-raising expedition.

Introduction to our Kilimanjaro Expedition

All other blog posts can be accessed by clicking on their respective titles under the "Blog Archive" located in the light green column to the right of this post.

"To the Children & Future of Palestine"

The Current Situation in Gaza, Palestine

The Situation In Gaza


Between December 27th 2008 and January 17th 2009, the population of Gaza suffered 22 days of relentless aerial and ground attacks. During this offensive:

• Over 1,400 palestinians were killed and over 5,550 are injured
• Over 400 of those killed were children
• Hospitals, UN schools and shelters were targeted
• Over 400,000 people have been left without running water
• Over 21,000 homes have been destroyed
• Over 90,000 people have been left homeless

Please help us aid the children and people of Gaza bu contributing financially to our cause

Was-salam,

"To the Children & Future of Palestine"

Stats obtained from http://www.cycling4gaza.com/

Weekend Hike in the Drakensburg 06-07/06/09

The Kilimanjaro Team on a Training Hike in the Drakensburg Mountains (2950m)

On Saturday the 6th June 2009, the trio of us headed out to Sentinel Peak along the Northern Drakensburg's Amphitheatre to get in some hiking training. About an hour and a half drive from Ladysmith, we drove through the town of Qwa-Qwa, close to the Lesotho border. We then stopped at the Witsieshoek Mountain Resort - situated some 2100 m above sea level - making it the highest resort in South Africa. After a short stop, we headed up the gravel road until we reached the Sentinel Peak parking lot. This was the beginning of the hike. Sentinel Peak is amongst the highest mountain peaks in Southern Africa reaching an estimated 3150m above sea level. The hiking trail that we chose was also the only day-hiking route in which one can access the summit of the Amphitheatre. Most other routes require over-night camping along the way.

M.Ridwaan and Nadim with the Eastern Buttress of the Amphitheater in the background (2800m)

Considering that the recommended hike time was 6 hours for this particular route, we had to up the pace from the word go since we arrived late (we actually got lost driving), and we weren't too keen on being on the mountain at sunset. The initial ascent was along a moderate incline zig-zagging across the the grassy mountainous ridges. After 4km along this fairly even ground, the terrain became rocky and steeper as we ascended closer to the Amphitheater's posterior cliffs for 2 km. We then came to the infamous "chain ladder" - a 100 rung, 30m vertical steel ladder that leads up to the top of the Amphitheater along its posterior cliff.

Nadim ascending the 30m vertical chain ladder to get to the summit of the Amphitheater (3000m)

The amazing and adrenaline-filled climb up the chain ladder leads to an even more exciting experience - a kilometre walk along the top of the Amphitheater to the Tugela Falls and the source of the Tugela River - with the falls dropping down some 947m - making it the 2nd highest waterfall in the world! Obviously, being winter, the falls were not flowing thunderously but the sights were still amazing. It was cold up on the summit, with temperatures falling rapidly as evening was approaching.

After making our way down the chain ladder again, we began our descent that lasted for an hour and a half. Upon reaching the car, we had covered 17km. The total round-trip took us 4.5 hours and we felt good knowing that none of us had sustained any muscular or joint injuries due to doing the hike at an increased pace. A great day's hike had come to an end.

M.Taher & M.Ridwaan at the top of the 948m Tugela waterfall (3050m)

The next day, we drove out to the Royal National Park which accesses the Amphitheater from the anterior side. A moderately-paced 8km hike up to the Cascades and the subsequent steep-incline up to Tiger Falls proved to be a good workout considering that we had a rather heavy trek the day before. This was training that we necessary since the Kilimanjaro climb will require 6 days of continuous hiking at an average of 16km per day for the first 3 days, and even more km over the last 2 days!

All in all, it was a great weekend to gauge fitness levels and give feedback with regards to the state of our physical preparedness. So far, so good! and insha'Allah everything will work out well and we will be even more ready and confident come Kilimanjaro!

Was-salam,
Muhammad Taher

"To the Children & Future of Palestine"

INFORMATION ABOUT OUR KILIMANJARO EXPEDITION

Click on the graphic below to check out our introductory blog-post explaining all the details of our Kilimanjaro fund-raising expedition.

Introduction to our Kilimanjaro Expedition

All other blog posts can be accessed by clicking on their respective titles under the "Blog Archive" located in the light green column to the right of this post.

"To the Children & Future of Palestine"

JOIN US! - SUIKERBOSRAND GROUP HIKE

On Sunday, 14th June 2009, we are planning a casual and fun 4km group hike at the Suikerbosrand Nature Reserve (45km outside JHB). People who come along will be exposed to beautiful highveld scenery, rolling hills, many animal species including zebras, springbok, wildebeest and some others if we are lucky (no dangerous animals!).

A picninc is also planned for after the hike (please bring some food and drinks as well as light snacks). The intention of this hike is to involve people in our awareness campaign about the plight of children in Gaza-Palestine, of which a short talk will be given. A discussion about the Kilimanjaro Expedition will be presented

DETAILS:

Date: Sunday, 14/06/2009

Time: 09:00 AM

Location: Suikerbosrand Nature Reserve (see map below for directions)

Cost: Park entrance R20 pp ; R10 per car. Hiking is free!

RSVP: Nadim Mahomed (nadimm@gmail.com / +27 82 221 2312)

Was-salam,
Nadim Mahomed

"To the Children & Future of Palestine"

Al-Qalam Newspaper Article on Kilimanjaro Expedition

Click on the link below to read the Kilimanjaro Expedition article posted on the Al-Qalam website:

Al-Qalam article on Kilimanjaro Expedition for Gaza's children


"To the Children & Future of Palestine"

INFORMATION ABOUT OUR KILIMANJARO EXPEDITION

Click on the graphic below to check out our introductory blog-post explaining all the details of our Kilimanjaro fund-raising expedition.

Introduction to our Kilimanjaro Expedition

All other blog posts can be accessed by clicking on their respective titles under the "Blog Archive" located in the light green column to the right of this post.

"To the Children & Future of Palestine"

Interview with Voice of the Cape - Climbing Kilimanjaro in aid of Gaza

Check out Kilimanjaro expedition Member Nadim Mahomed's interview with Voice of the Cape journalist Tasneem Mahomed on:

The Voice of the Cape - www.vocfm.co.za - Climbing Kilimanjaro in aid of Gaza

Shared via AddThis

Training for the Kilimanjaro Expedition

SUNDAY HIKE AT THE SUIKERBOSRAND NATURE RESERVE

So there we were, Nadim and I leaving Johannesburg at 7:30AM on a cold Sunday morning - the 31st of May. The plan was to drive 49 km south to the Suikerbosrand Nature Reserve to get in some practical hiking training. The cold-front didn't help much - bringing in moderately chilling winds up onto the highveld interior. But that wasn't a problem once we started the 10 km "Bokmakierie" trek and began warming up those stiff muscles.

With each of our backpacks equipped with 2 litres of water, some fruit, camera, jacket and 2 kg gym weights (yes, you read right – to simulate fatigue one would experience at altitude on Kilimanjaro) we set out on our hike. We chose the Bokmakierie hike which is a good one to climb, even for the casual hiker who justs wants to get the blood pumping and enjoy the highveld scenery and rocky terrain. The Suikerbosrand Nature Reserve is home to numerous animals - those that we came across including impala, baboon, zebra, reedbuck, eland and many bird species. There’s also a few carnivores including wild-dog, hyenas and jackals. Apparently there’s cheetah as well, but obviously we weren’t going to come across any considering that we were climbing up the hilly area of the reserve. Even if we did, we wouldn’t have been in danger (I hope) since cheetah rarely attack humans.

Nadim taking in the scenery :)

The actual hiking trail is well-designed. It has an initial gentle gradient for a kilometer. It then becomes a reasonably steep climb for another kilometer. Once at the top of this koppie you get a great panoramic view of the outer-lying Johannesburg areas with the gold and brown farmlands looking like patch-work knitting 400m below you. You also get a spectacular yet hazy view of the Johannesburg skyline lying far out in the horizon (approx. 45 km away). The air is crisp, the sun bright, clouds stretched out high in the blue sky and the rustling of the winter grass simply sublime!

So after snapping up a few photos, we headed on with our hike. Another kilometer at the top of the plateau and then we had to begin a steep descend roughly for another 2 kms which also traversed the side slopes of the koppie. At this point we were approximately half-way through the 10 km hike. We came across a few more uphill climbs into rocky foothills accompanied by declines into grassy areas before heading up the final steep climb which stretched 3 kms! It dawned on our bodies at this point that we weren’t just doing a leisurely Sunday stroll! The peak of this uphill was met with yet another spectacular view of the rolling grasslands below in which we could see herd of impala, zebra and reedbuck grazing in the warm winter sun. Stopping for snacks, we passed a few other hikers, and then carried on on the top of the plateue for another 2 kilometers before we could see the endpoint in sight – far below lay the thatched roof and parking of the reception area from where we began. After a steep decline for a kilometer we reached the end of the hike.

Myself taking in some rest and some water on the way down

We did the hike in fairly good time too – 2h50 minutes for a hike that has a recommended time of 4 hours. I suppose that’s a good thing in terms of fitness. This is a hike that I would recommend to anyone living in JHB to do – it’s amazing how many beautiful nature walks there are so close to home.

With exactly a month to go until the Kilimanjaro expedition, the excitement is increasing and so is our fund-raising initiatives. Alhamdulillah, we have reached the R50 000 mark recently and feel that bit by bit, the challenges, the training, the campaigning and awareness we are raising are all starting to pay off. Reminding ourselves of the goal to help children of Gaza makes all the effort just so much more rewarding.

Was-salam,
Muhammad Taher Khan
- Kilimanjaro Expedition Member

“To the Children & Future of Palestine”

INFORMATION ABOUT OUR KILIMANJARO EXPEDITION

Click on the graphic below to check out our introductory blog explaining all the details of our Kilimanjaro fund-raising expedition.

Introduction to our Kilimanjaro Expedition

All other blog posts can be accessed by clicking on their respective titles under the "Blog Archive" located in the light green column to the right of this post.

"To the Children & Future of Palestine"

No Headlines doesn't mean No War Crimes

By Amira Hass (Haaretz)

Israel allows only food, medicine and detergent into the Gaza Strip.Thousands of items, including vital products for everyday activity,are forbidden.Altogether only 30 to 40 select commercial items are now allowed intothe Gaza Strip, compared to 4,000 that had been approved before theclosure Israel imposed on Gaza following the abduction of GiladShalit, according to merchants and human rights activists.The number of items changes according to what is determined by TheCoordinator of Government Activities in the Territories. COGAT hasrefused the PA representative's request for an updated list of theitems permitted into Gaza in writing, and passes the information onlyvia the telephone.Gaza merchants are forbidden to import canned goods, plastic sheeting,toys and books, although the United Nations Relief and Works Agencyand other aid organizations are permitted to bring them into thestrip.

The few items merchants are allowed to trade in are divided into threecategories: food, medicine and detergent. Everything else is forbidden- including building materials (which are necessary to rehabilitateGaza's ruins and rebuild its infrastructure), electric appliances suchas refrigerators and washing machines, spare machine and car parts,fabrics, threads, needles, light bulbs, candles, matches, books,musical instruments, crayons, clothing, shoes, mattresses, sheets,blankets, cutlery, crockery, cups, glasses and animals. Many of thebanned products are imported through the tunnels and can be found inGaza's markets.Pasta, which had been forbidden in the past, is now allowed, afterU.S. Senator John Kerry expressed his astonishment at the ban during avisit to Gaza in February. But tea, coffee, sausages, semolina, milkproducts in large packages and most baking products are forbidden. Soare industrial commodities for manufacturing food products, chocolate,sesame seeds and nuts. I

srael does allow importing fruit, milkproducts in small packages and frozen food products as well as limitedamounts of industrial fuel.The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reported thatduring the first week of May, 2.2 million liters of industrial fuel -some 70 percent of the weekly supply required to operate the powerstation - was allowed into Gaza. UNRWA receives petrol and dieselsupplies separately. A daily 270-300 tons of cooking gas - 54 percentof the required amount - is allowed.Petrol and diesel for private cars and public transportation have notbeen imported from Israel since November 2, 2008, except for a smallamount for UNRWA. The union of Gaza's gas station owners estimatesthat some 100,000 liters of diesel and 70,000 liters of petrol arebrought through the tunnels daily.Egypt, which in the past two months has been restricting the trademovement through the tunnels, does not limit the supply of gas andfuel. But since Egyptian fuel is heavier than Israeli fuel, it damagesthe newer cars in Gaza and causes malfunctions.In the past, Israel allowed wood for home furnishings to be broughtinto Gaza for some time, but not wood for windows and doors.

NowIsrael has resumed the ban on wood for furniture.The ban on toilet paper, diapers and sanitary napkins was lifted threemonths ago. A little more than a month ago, following a long ban,Israel permitted the import of detergents and soaps into Gaza. Evenshampoo was allowed. But one merchant discovered that the bottles ofshampoo he had ordered were sent back because they includedconditioner, which was not on the list.Five weeks ago Israel allowed margarine, salt and artificial sweetenerto be brought into Gaza. Legumes have been allowed for the past twomonths and yeast for the past two weeks. Contrary to rumors, Israelhas not banned sugar.COGAT commented that, "The policy of bringing commodities derives fromand is coordinated with Israel's policy toward the Gaza Strip, asdetermined by the cabinet decision on September 19, 2007."

A COGAT forum convenes with representatives of internationalorganizations weekly to address special requests of the internationalcommunity regarding humanitarian equipment and the changing needs ofthe Palestinian population, the statement says.

http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/objects/pages/PrintArticleEn.jhtml?itemNo=1086045

ePalestine Blog:http://www.epalestine.com/

"To the Children & Future of Palestine"

Facts about Gaza and its Children

FACTS ABOUT GAZA:

Gaza is 365sq km, 45 km long and 5-12km wide, entirely sealed off from the outside world by an Israeli fence, guarded by watchtowers, snipers and tanks. Since the 19th century it has been occupied by the Ottomans until the First World War, then the British until 1948 and the Egyptians until 1967. Israel has held the Gaza Strip under military occupation for 38 years, since the Six Day War in 1967. Gaza's 8,000 settlers are 0.6 per cent of the Gaza Strip's population, alongside 1.3 million Palestinians. Gaza's population exploded in 1948-49 when thousands of Palestinian refugees fled into Gaza to escape fighting between Arab and Jewish forces. Most Palestinians in Gaza are the descendants of those refugees: 960,000 live in breeze-block refugee camps such as Jabalya, Beach Camp in Gaza City, Khan Younis and Nusseirat and Rafah.

The World Bank identifies Israeli closures, roadblocks and curfews as the main cause of economic disruption. Israel says they are necessary to stop suicide bomb and gun attacks on its population. Gaza City is the main Palestinian town, where the Palestinian Authority and security forces have their headquarters. It also has beachside hotels, a football stadium and tower blocks.
The refugee camps contribute to population densities of 3,954 people per sq km, compared with 463 people per sq km in the West Bank. According to October 2004 figures 38 per cent of Gazans were unemployed and 47 per cent of Palestinians live under the poverty line of $2.1 a day.

Today (2009) more than 1.1 million people, about 80% of Gaza's residents, are now dependent on food aid, as opposed to 63% in 2006. Unemployment is close to 40% and almost 70% of the 110,000 workers employed in the private sector have lost their jobs, according to a report — entitled: "The Gaza Strip: A Humanitarian Implosion" — released in early March 2008 by a coalition of Human Rights organizations, Haaretz reported.

The current situation in the Gaza Strip "is worse now than it has ever been since the start of the Israeli military occupation in 1967. The current situation in Gaza is man-made, completely avoidable and, with the necessary political will, can also be reversed," the report stated. According to the latest updates, educational services in Gaza have gone down in capacity by 50% because of the lack of the means to transport students to their schools and colleges. Because of cutting fuel of the Gaza strip, the Israeli government has caused 20% of the ambulances to go off service and 60% to be expected to park by the end of the week, forcing patients and doctors to reach hospitals on foot (Al-Mezan Center for Human Rights report).

FACTS ABOUT GAZA’S CHILDREN:

• Most children in the Gaza Strip have experienced tear-gas, have had their homes searched and damaged, and witnessed shooting and explosions, with many being injured and traumatised as a result of the on-going genocide that has spanned generations.

• Children comprise 47 % of Gaza's population and are extremely vulnerable in what can now be described as the world’s largest open-air prison

• In Gaza, children are expected to grow up, play and go to school where bombs are dropped, tanks stationed, and guns aimed to kill

• Children are often the first casualties of war, with over 350 killed in the Israeli war on Gaza during Dec ’08 – Jan ’09 alone, and many other innocent children becoming orphans during this period

"To the Children & Future of Palestine"