Summit conquest nets hospital £4k

ABIGAIL DONOGHUE

THREE men from Widnes have trekked up Kilimanjaro, raising more than £4,000 for Alder Hey children’s hospital.

Paul Fielding, 32, James Fielding, 36, and Christopher Myler, 36, all signed up to climb Kilimanjaro 18 months ago to raise money for Alder Hey.

And earlier this month the men completed the tough trek to the summit.

So far Paul has raised £4,065.76 for the hospital on his justgiving page, with his target being £5,895.

Speaking to the Weekly News about why they chose Alder Hey, Paul Fielding said: “Over the years they have treated a range of close family members and sons and daughters of friends, so it seemed fitting.”

Kilimanjaro is the world’s largest free-standing mountain, and the fourth highest overall, making it a tough trek to the top.

Paul said: “Beyond 4,000 metres you are vulnerable to altitude sickness.

“Another difficult factor is the varying temperature, ranging from 30 degrees plus at the bottom, and dropping as low as -20 degrees at the top.”

People who take on the climb have to carry a lot of kit to combat the variety of weather and temperatures that they will face.

He said: “Another factor that makes the climb difficult is the lack of a shower – washing was a bowl of warm water, camping on a mountain side in freezing temperatures and a lack of sleep due to altitude, and having to use ‘long-drop toilets – or nature – for toilet breaks, which is obviously not pleasant.”

The trio trained for 18 months from the moment they signed up for the climb, however they stepped it up in the last six months. They performed regular cardio workouts, 10K runs and local park runs, as well as football and tennis to improve their lung capacity.

Paul said: ” The worry of not making it to the top due to fitness or feeling the effects of altitude sickness spurred us on, along with the donors.”

They took the Machame route up the mountain, which is also known as the ‘Whiskey’ route

The Machame route is known for its scenic beauty, however, is considered difficult, steep and challenging.

The trek starts at Machame gates which is 1,640 meters up.

The first day of walking generally takes five to seven hours to complete.

Day two is an early start to trek to Shira camp, which is steep and surrounded by moorlands and grasslands.

Day three is a long and tough trek east through the ‘Garden Of Senecios’ and up to Lava Tower and the Shark’s Tooth rock formation and then back down again to Barranco Camp.

This takes up to seven hours to complete.

When asked about how they coped with the mountain Mr Fielding said: “There were a few who were really ill after Lava Tower as altitude set in.

“Fortunately you walk high and sleep low to acclimatise.

“And if you’re feeling ill you can then start to take Diamox which thins the blood and should help your body to better deal with the lack of oxygen.”

Depsite ending the day at a similar height to when they started, it is said to be one of the most important days on the trek as it gives a chance to properely acclimatise.

He said: “Day three is when the climb got really tough, with altitude sickness setting in for a lot of the group including severe headaches, vomiting and diarrhoea.”

Mr Fielding said day four: “Was a very tough climb and not for the faint-hearted with very large drops from sheer cliff-faces very possible.”

“It begins with a steep traverse up the Barranco Wall, a 257m rock face that requires basic scrambling skills at the top of the Karanga Valley.”

“Day five was a short and easy day.

“Once at camp we ate lunch and got our kit and winter clothes, ready for the summit push which would begin at 10pm that night.”

“Excitement and altitude meant that it was very difficult to sleep.”

On day six it was time to trek to the summit, taking around six-eight hours to reach the top of the crater.

Mr Fielding said: “Thankfully we all made it to the summit which is very rare. On average there is just a 68% success rate.”

After reaching the summit, there is a seven mile descent to the end of the trek: “By the time you’re off the mountain your knees are screaming in pain.”

“Day seven was the final push for us all. With a lack of sleep, showering facilities and aching joints now really taking their toll, the finish line was a very welcome sight.”

Paul and James Fielding and Christopher Myler are still taking donations to try and reach their fundraising goal.

Donations can be made on the justgiving page at www.justgiving.com/fundraising/fielding86