The Briefing Day

Having spent so much time and effort in organising the challenge, it was finally time to gather challenge participants together and brief them on what they had let themselves in for! So, one sunny Saturday not so long ago we all headed to Dudley to meet up and find out what the big deal was.

Well, when I say we all headed to Dudley - actually a handful of us did. A number of folks couldn't make it on the day and I was beginning to think that the briefing would have to be cancelled! However, we just about made enough numbers and so off we went.

The day was really interesting. First of all because it was a great opportunity to meet with fellow trekkers and get to know each other a little. We had quite a diverse bunch which was very nice to see; and I was encouraged because there were a couple of folks with CMS that made me look very young and fit!

Down to preparation... The guys from Trailblazer went over a mountain (very appropriate) of information with us. Everything from passports and visas, to sleeping bags and boots. It's actually a bit daunting seeing how much kit we have to get into a rucksack weighing no more than 15kg - another challenge!

A key part of preparation is fitness as we will be trekking for up to 8 hours a day for 6 full days at altitude. I've been going to the gym a couple of times a week and walking the dog at weekends for years now, so I'm not overly concerned about this. However, I decided it's time to step up the amount of aerobic exercise and worry a bit less about weights. So lots of step exercise and running/walking uphill. I've also tried doing a couple of long walks of about 10 miles wearing my boots. So far so good, but I've got a weekend in Wales coming up in a couple of weeks which should help a little as I get to grips with walking uphill and down vale.

Of course, the main purpose for the trek is to raise money. We covered quite a lot of information and helpful tips for fundraising. All I have to do now is get on with it! Of course any donations will be gratefully received!!

So, how did we get here?

A brief history of how we came to be trekking up Mount Kenya.

In 2004 I was approached by Trailblazers, part of the Saltmine trust specialising in sponsored challenges, to see if we would be interested in running a challenge. At the time it was just too ambitious for us to run a dedicated trek, so we decided to play it safe and join a shared challenge - the 2005 Zambezi River challenge. Three of our supporters, Karl, Chris and Frank, signed up and between them raised a magnificent amount of money - enough to build a new Seed of Hope Centre and A Nursery School at Orogare! Quite amazing.

The pattern was set. Following the Zambezi adventure we decided to 'go large' and work with Trailblazers on our own bespoke challenge. When asked what we would like to do the choice to climb Mount Kenya seemed obvious. When you fly into Nairobi you can see the Mountain sticking up out of the clouds. Our childen's home in Riandu is in the foothills of Mount Kenya, which you can see clearly on a nice day. So last year we took the plunge and decided to go ahead with the Trek.

It has been a long and slow process since then, working with Trailblazers to sort out the logistics and itinerary and on publicity etc. to try to get folks signed up. To be honest I think I underestimated how difficult it would be to get enough people on board to make it happen. Then Trailblazers approached me and said the the Church Mission Society (CMS) also wanted to do a trek up Mount Kenya and would we join forces. Well, this was a great opportunity for us as it meant that between us we ought to be able to rustle up the minimum number required to make it happen (eight people). As it happens we now have nine and there's half a dozen CMS people too, so we are in pretty good shape - although I had a few restless nights worring about getting here.

The folks at Trailblazers have been great, very encouraging in their support and in working with us and World Expeditions to come up with a bespoke itinerary. It means that we will be able to visit several of our projects on the way to and from the mountain. Now it's getting closer I can't wait. I've paid my money, started my training and started to collect sponsors. Now where's that huge list of equipment I need to get...?