Our luxurious pre-climb suite (got us acclimatised to single sleeping bags!)
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Under the Machame entrance!
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Think they are trying to put us off?!
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And he's off….. Emmanuel sets the pace through the rainforest!
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Only half way and he needs a rest already! Still smiling though…..
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First day feet from Steve - ouch!
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Start of the second day - we have no idea what's ahead of us.
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Our teeny tiny abode….
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Night night on the second day
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Can't sleep - it's too damn cold!!!
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First 'diamox' stop of the second day - a very welcome bush!!
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Shira camp second night, up in the clouds and even colder tonight.
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Shira Cave - rather worrying with bones and feathers everywhere. Emmanuel tells us it was his house once. Lol
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You have no idea how welcome hot roasted nuts and fresh popcorn taste after walking all day!
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Third morning and we wake to stunning, unclouded views of the mountain - it's not that far is it?
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This is called Lava Tower jig - you see a mouse and hop around like crazy till it goes and bothers someone else! Surely it's too cold for them…..
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Look closely - the bloody mouse is trying to get in my rucksack - how rude!!!
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Luxury toilet facility - now you can see why we had wee bottles - imagine over balancing in that on the Shira Plateau in the dark?
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Day 3 and still smiling (well a bit).
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No, not romantic - I'm just freezing cold and not looking forward to the Barranco Wall….
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The top of the Barranco Wall - you just can't see how high and steep we have just climbed.
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The relief! Got the hardest bit over now haven't I Emmanuel? He doesn't look too sure does he?
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Ohhhhhh so happy to arrive at base camp after the longest day yet.
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Well, it's 10.30pm and I've had no sleep at all, it's bloody cold and and I can't move for the amount of layers I am wearing.
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And he doesn't look any better either!
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Half way up to Stella Point (the crater rim). The first of many, are we nearly there yets? Lips already going blue!
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At last - we made it to Stella Point at sunrise. We are way above the clouds, the sun is rising above them and the glaciers - stunning views have made it all worthwhile but we still have another 45 minutes to climb!
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Made it! Uhuru Peak, 5,895 metres with the crater rim on one size and huge glistening glacier on the other!
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Well someone had to hold my hand all the way down - I'd already fallen over 3 times!
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Nearly at the end of the day's long long climb up and down again - and it's time for the Jedward hair to come out!
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Never, ever has a drink tasted sooooooooo good!
CLICK HERE for the final photo!
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