As if crewing from Cowes to Cherbourg in the Fastnet ocean race, hosting a weekly classic hits radio show, and pursuing an unbridled passion for classic sports cars is not enough, Executive Director Graeme Quar just got back from a 7-day trek to the top of Mount Kilimanjaro.  “Kili”, which at an impressive 5,895m is the highest mountain in Africa, and also the highest single free-standing mountain in the world – meaning it is not part of a range of mountains.
 
This was no glamping holiday. Accompanied by partner and veteran marathon runner Marie Shone the climb required a guide, a support team of 9, some sturdy boots and of course the Indiana Jones hat!

Guide Dickson took them up the most challenging ascent – the Machame Route (also known as the Whiskey route as you’ve got to be tough!) – which features steeper trails and longer treks than other routes – sometimes referred to as the Coca-Cola routes!  Apparently Machame is the best route for acclimatisation as it applies the “walk high, sleep low” principle. And despite it being the dry season, the team experienced sun, rain and snow along the way.

The final summit push requires a midnight start and a push up the last 4,000 feet, where the reward is a spectacular sunrise at the crater rim from the highest point in Africa, overlooking the other lower Kili peak called Mawenzi.

According to The Bucket List Company (www.thebucketlistcompany.co.uk) after Kili many go on to have a crack at Russia’s Mount Elbrus, or Island Peak in Nepal. Indeed Graeme attempted the 6,100m Island Peak in 2018 but had to turn around just 150m from the summit (but that’s another story).

For now though, we’re just glad to have him back at sea level in Gosport!