Barnardos Kilimanjaro Summit Challenge 2014: Your Guide www.barnardos.ie
Kilimanjaro (5896m) is not only Africa s highest point; it is the highest free standing mountain in the world. Kilimanjaro is actually a huge crater known as Kibo which is over 2km wide with several distinct cones, the highest being Uhuru Peak. The name Kilimanjaro is believed to come from the Swahili word Kilima meaning hill or little mountain and the word Njaro meaning white or shining. Towering over 4500m above the rift valley and the surrounding landscape, it makes for a majestic sight. This amazing eleven day itinerary includes seven days of trekking on the Machame trail, regarded as the most scenic route to the summit. Seven days on the mountain allows for greater acclimatisation and maximises chances of a successful summit attempt. This route also provides spectacular scenery and a wide variety of landscape for us to enjoy en route. We start with scrub-lands thick with African wildlife, then move into lush forests followed by flowering alpine tundra and above 4500m we encounter snow and rock as we approach the summit. This trek is suitable for people with a high level of fitness and who enjoy a challenge. The sense of achievement and spectacular views, from the roof of Africa will make all the hard work and effort well worth it! Your Itinerary Day 1: Thursday 3rd July Depart Dublin for Tanzania on an overnight flight. Depart Dublin to Tanzania Day 2: Friday 4th July Day 3: Saturday 5th July Day 4: Sunday 6th July Arrive in Kilimanjaro International Airport in the afternoon. Transfer to our hotel in Arusha and then relax for the evening. That evening we have a welcome dinner with our group and an expedition brief from our guides. Overnight stay at our hotel. After breakfast and meeting with our local guides, we drive for just over an hour to Machame gate (1490m). At the gate we register with the National Park and then meet our team of local porters. Once we start walking it s not long before we enter the tropical rain forest and, depending on how much rain there has been, the trail might be quite muddy. After some time trekking in the rain forest, we stop for our lunch and then continue our trail to Machame camp in the afternoon. By the time we reach the campsite the porters will have set up our tents and the cook will be preparing our first camp dinner. Most people are quite tired after the first day s trek so we advise an early night. Our first overnight camp. Altitude of 2980m. Following an early breakfast we take a steep trail out of Machame camp through the tropical rain forest. After one hour we emerge from the forest, clearing the tree line and from here it s a more gentle trail to the Shira Plateau. We stop for plenty of rests and photos throughout the day and are rewarded with great views of the Western Breach with its stunning glaciers. We set up camp in the early afternoon and relax for the rest of the day. After watching the sun set and enjoying a filling dinner we head to bed. Overnight camp. Altitude of 3840m. Arrive in Tanzania Drive Arusha to Machame Gate/ Trek to Machame Camp 7 hours Trekking Machame Camp to Shira Camp 6 hours trekking
Day 5: Monday 7th July Day 6: Tuesday 8th July Day 7: Wednesday 9th July Day 8: Thursday 10th July Day 9: Friday 11th July Day 10: Saturday 12th July Day 11: Sunday 13th July This morning after a hearty breakfast we leave Shira Camp and walk east towards Lava Tower, a huge rocky outcrop. After five hours of walking along a rocky trail we have lunch just before Lava Tower, allowing us extra time at this higher altitude. By walking to Lava Tower we reach a height of 4630m before walking back down to Barranco Camp. This jump in elevation greatly helps us with acclimatisation and is key to a successful summit attempt. After lunch we descend another 680m over two hours to set up camp below at the Barranco Wall. Today s route has stunning views throughout and plenty of opportunities for photos. Overnight camp. Altitude of 3950m. Today starts by walking up and over the Barranco Wall which is not quite as hard as it looks or sounds! Upon reaching the top, we are rewarded with great views of Kilimanjaro, the Heim Glacier and the stunning surrounding landscape. The trail then enters the Karanga Valley with many short ascents and descents as we cross many small streams. We set up camp just after the Karanga River and spend the afternoon relaxing, chatting to fellow trekkers, guides and porters. Overnight camp. Altitude of 4000m. After today s breakfast we walk along a ridge towards Barafu Camp. We set an easy pace to ensure good acclimatisation. As we gain altitude the landscape becomes completely barren and free of vegetation here. We reach Barafu in the early afternoon and set up camp. Because of the elevation, this campsite is colder than previous camps but the views are truly amazing. We spend the afternoon resting, eating and preparing for tomorrow s summit day! We go to bed very early this evening in preparation for our big challenge. Overnight camp. Altitude of 4550m. It s here! The day we ve been working towards our summit day! We rise very early, usually around 12:00am, have some tea and snacks and begin walking. We keep a steady pace as we walk on steep scree to reach Stella Point (5685m). For many trekkers this six hour walk is the toughest section of the day. We take a short rest at Stella Point to enjoy the beautiful sunrise. From Stella Point it is a further two hours on an often snow covered route to reach Mt Kilimanjaro (5896m). All the effort is well worth it as the feeling and views from the roof of Africa is second to none. After a short stay at the summit we start the descent towards Mweka Camp. After three hours we reach Barafu Camp and enjoy a well earned rest and some food before continuing on. We then walk for a further five hours to reach Mweka Camp in the upper rain forest. For those with energy left there is beer available at a nearby hut to celebrate this great day! Overnight camp. Altitude of 3100m. After a hot breakfast we walk downhill for three hours and finish our trek at Mweka Gate. From the gate we drive back to Arusha and enjoy a well earned hot shower! The rest of the day is spent resting tired bodies by the pool. In the evening we enjoy a celebratory meal with our group and some drinks at the hotel. Overnight stay in our hotel in Arusha. After a good sleep and a tasty breakfast you are free to spend the morning relaxing at the hotel or exploring Arusha. Most spend the morning beside the pool! After lunch we transfer to Kilimanjaro International Airport for an afternoon departure and an overnight flight home. Arrive back in Dublin just after noon and our expedition ends. All that s left to do is pat yourself on the back! Congratulations you ve achieved something enormous well done! Shira Camp to Barranco Camp 7 hours trekking Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp 5 hours trekking Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp 5 hours trekking Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak to Mweka Camp 15 hours trekking Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate/ Drive to Arusha 3 hours trekking Depart Tanzania Arrive in Dublin.
About Barnardos Barnardos work is about changing children s lives, and giving them the change they need to have a brighter future. In over 42 projects around Ireland we see the devastating effects poverty has on children every single day. Barnardos works with children growing up in disadvantaged communities who experience daily challenges in their lives which directly affect their ability to grow and develop. Our aim is to provide these children and their parents with the services they need to ensure that children develop to their full potential. We work face-to-face, day-to-day with the most vulnerable of them, making real tangible improvements to their lives through our project centres, tailored services and highly skilled caseworkers. For some of the children we work with, the things they need are so simple that they would break your heart: Aoife just wants to feel what it s like to have warm water at home Johnny just wants his own bed Jack wants his mum to be able to leave the house David wants the lock to be fixed on his bedroom door so he can feel safe Ciara likes Maths but she can never do her homework as she takes care of her younger sister and brother Emer wants a trip to the zoo And that s why we really need your help today. Sign up to the Barnardos Kilimanjaro Summit Challenge today and help change a child s life. A child like Brian When Brian first came to Barnardos he was going to be expelled from school because of his violent behavior. He kicked, punched and physically and verbally abused everyone around him. Brian was five years old. One of eight children, his home was full of friction and fear. When asked to describe his house, he said it was angry. Heavy debts, domestic abuse and on-street violence took its daily toll. His was a family under siege; living in an estate with few local services, poor transport and decrepit housing. A Barnardos support worker was appointed to help Brian. She met his family in their home to get an insight into his life and the stress the family was under. It was clear that in order to improve Brian s situation, Barnardos would need to work with all his family to help them cope better and ease the tension in the house. Brian s mum started to attend a Barnardos parenting course. She was also given advice on managing the weekly income. Brian s dad was supported in accessing a drug rehabilitation programme. Barnardos lobbied the local authority to damp-proof the house, which was seeping water. Brian s older brother, who missed almost 30 days of schools last year, is also getting help from Barnardos and now hopes to stay in school and sit his Leaving Cert next year. Brian still has his bad days, but his one-toone sessions with his support worker help him to deal with his worries. He is also attending a Barnardos group with children his own age, where he is learning simple things such as taking turns and making friends. His teacher says that he has settled into the school routine and is getting on with other children. It is no longer unusual to hear Brian laugh. You can help change the lives of children like Brian today by joining the Barnardos Kilimanjaro Summit Challenge 2014. * While Brian s story is true, in order to preserve confidentiality we have changed his name and used a model s image to represent him.
I m interested! What do I need to do? To take part in this amazing experience, we ask you to raise 4950. With our ongoing support and some clever ideas you will be able to hit this target. Funds raised from this trip will go towards the vital work that Barnardos provides for children and families throughout Ireland. The Barnardos Kilimanjaro Summit Challenge is a challenge both in the physical preparation and in the fundraising required, but we will provide you with advice and support. Please see below for some fundraising ideas that last year s participants used to reach their fundraising target! Abseiling Auctions Bag packing at local supermarkets Barbeques Bike tours Bingo Bungee jumping Casino night Exhibitions Top Tips for Successful Fundraising Spread the Word You could have planned and put on the best event in the world but unless people know about it, it won t go that well! Promoting your event is as important as the planning of the event itself. Remember the more people who know about your event, the more likely it is to be a success so always be sure to include details on when and where the event is being held and more importantly how people can get involved! Posters and Promos Get your event noticed with eye-catching materials. Barnardos is a widely respected charity and there is a public appreciation of the work we do. We can send you some posters, balloons and t-shirts to help you promote your event. Internet & Social Media Social media sites like Facebook and Twitter are excellent for spreading the word about your event. Or you can set up an online sponsorship page on the Barnardos website at www.barnardos.ie/event-signup and email the link to your family, friends and colleagues. This is the perfect option for those who want to support you but can t attend your event. Work with Local Media Fancy dress ball Fashion Show Film show Five-a-side football match Gala evening Golf tournament Head shave Marathons Music recitals Parachute jumps Pub Quiz Race night Raffles Street collections Table quiz Theme evening Wine tasting If you re holding a big event and you really want to get a lot of people involved with it, tell your local media all about it. Just call us for a Barnardos Supporter Press Release template where you can fill in your own details. Remember, editors are interested in how newsworthy a story is, rather than how worthy it is, so your press release needs to be well written to catch their eye. Follow these guidelines and you ll be well on your way to the highest mountain in Africa. The Barnardos treks have been fantastic and I would recommend anyone to take part. You ll return feeling tired, fulfilled and excited about new friendships and proud that you have played a part in improving the outcomes for vulnerable children in Ireland. Barnardos trekker 2012/2013
Frequently Asked Questions How much do I have to pay? To secure your place we require a nonrefundable deposit of 300 per person. Your fundraising target is then 4650 excluding your deposit. All the money that you fundraise should be sent directly to Barnardos. We require the balance of the fundraising target as per the Fundraising Schedule laid out in the Conditions of Entry & Declaration section of this brochure. What is included in the cost? All flights, transfers, accommodation, meals, full medical support, experienced guides, porters for personal equipment, two pre-trip briefing events and a Barnardos/ Earth s Edge performance trekking t-shirt. A Barnardos representative, Earths Edge Expedition Leader, Guides, Cook and Expedition Doctor will also be on hand to support you every step of the way. All your food is included apart from during free time. Also included is a series of monthly training walks led by trained guides to help you with your training and get to know the trekkers in your group, prior to your trip. What is not included? You are responsible for obtaining your own entry visas, personal travel insurance and any inoculations required for this trip/destination. You will also need to organise transfers to/from Dublin airport, local departure tax, meals and drinks in free time, tips for local support staff/guides, spending money and items of a personal nature. What back-up support will there be? Along with the Earth s Edge Expedition Leader and Expedition Doctor we will be accompanied by local guides, cooks, drivers and porters of the highest standard. The local staff are selected based on their qualifications, experience and references. Our Expedition Leaders are trained in wilderness first-aid and most of our local guides are first-aid trained too. Our expedition leaders and local staff are familiar with the locations of local medical services and hospitals. Where no mobile/cell phone network is available expeditions are accompanied by two-way radios and satellite phones. We have 24/7 access to our office in Ireland too. Do I need to be fit? Yes! This is a physical challenge that requires a high level of fitness to be able to complete the route. The fitter you are the more enjoyable the experience will be! Where will I sleep? While in Arusha we will stay in a locally run lodge in an effort to support the local economy. All rooms are clean and comfortable. The lodge has a swimming pool, perfect for relaxing after the trek too. While camping you will be sleeping/sharing two person tents. This trip is based on two people sharing rooms/tents throughout. You ll get to know the other trekkers on your trip at your training hikes and we usually pair up from there! It is generally possible to arrange single rooms or tents but this may incur an additional cost. Please let us know upon booking. What will I eat? While staying in the lodge our meals will be served there. On the trek, breakfast and dinner are usually served in camp and lunch en route. Food plays a key role in helping you stay at your optimum on this trek. You ll receive balanced meals to keep you energised throughout the expedition of either local seasonal dishes or western favourites. There will also be plenty of tasty snacks to keep you topped up between meals too. We can cater to all dietary preferences and/or restrictions so be sure to include any requirements on the application form. What will the weather be like? Temperatures on the expedition may vary from 10 to 30 degrees during the day and -10 to 10 degrees at night. It s best to be prepared for lower temperatures due to wind chill or weather turning bad. Usually the days are hot and the nights are cold. We advise that all trekkers are ready for inclement weather at all times as the weather can change rather quickly at high altitude and we will advise you on the correct clothing and kit to prepare you for this. Do I need special equipment? Yes - a comfortable and well worn pair of walking boots is first on your list! We ll send you a full kit and equipment list upon registration and will go through this at our briefing meeting prior to the trip so you are well prepared.
Application Form Name of Challenge Barnardos Kilimanjaro Summit 2014 Date of Challenge 3rd 13th July 2014 Fundraising Target 4950 Personal Details (as per passport) Title Age Date of birth Tel Forename Surname Email Mobile Address Passport No Date of Expiry Place of Issue Nationality Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from the date of your return to Ireland. Please enclose one copy of the photo page of your passport. Additional Information All accommodation will be shared and single sex. If your doing the trek with someone and wish to share with them please include their name here. Do you have any special dietary requirements or food allergies? How much trekking experience do you have? Your t-shirt size (please tick): Small o Medium o Large o Where did you hear about this challenge? (Please tick) Barnardos Website o Word of mouth o Radio o Mail o Poster o Other
Conditions of Entry & Declaration You must enclose a registration fee of 300 for each application (payable to Barnardos ). This deposit is non-refundable and non-transferable, unless the charity is forced to cancel. You must raise a minimum of 4950 sponsorship (inclusive of deposit). You must be 18 years of age before departure date of the challenge or be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Participants take part at their own risk and hereby indemnify Barnardos and its agents against claims for loss or damage to personal injury (or death) and any claim arising from the participant s own actions. Participants must comply with and are responsible for attending to any inoculations and health regulations required for the destination. Cancellations: We reserve the right to alter the itinerary, alter the trip dates or cancel the trip should climatic, insufficient participant numbers or any other unforeseen circumstances make this necessary. If you are unable to meet the sponsorship requirements you may forfeit your place on the trek. Cancellations must be confirmed in writing to Barnardos and cancellation charges may be imposed depending on the date of cancellation. Cancellation charges are calculated from the day written notification is received, as a percentage of the total package price (excluding the fundraising target) and will include any surcharges applicable at that date, as follows: (i) (ii) Deposits are non-refundable 60 days before departure 50% of the total package cost is due (iii) 45 days before departure 70% of the total package cost is due (iv) 30 days before departure 100% of the total package cost is due All flights will be booked through Earth s Edge, TA: 0711. Where applicable, and unless stated, you must have a valid entrance visa for the country in which the challenge takes place prior to travelling. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from the date of your return to Ireland. On receipt of your final payment, you will receive a departure pack, including all flight arrangements and a final statement of your fundraising. You have read the challenge itinerary and to the best of your knowledge you are fit and healthy enough to partake in the entirety of the itinerary. Due to the physical nature of this trip you must get written clearance from your GP to take part. All participants are required to return a GP signed medical form with their application. You accept that all instructions given to you on the challenge must be observed for your own safety. You must have adequate insurance cover for the challenge. This must be sent to us 6 weeks prior to departure. Schedule of fundraising: Once you have registered for this trek please be advised that you are required to meet the following schedule of fundraising: (i) A 300 non refundable deposit is required to secure (ii) your place 120 days before departure 30% of your fundraising goal is required (iii) 90 days before departure 50% of your fundraising goal is required (iv) 45 days before departure 90% of your fundraising goal is required (v) 30 days before departure 100% of your fundraising goal is required Participants must carry out all fundraising in accordance with Barnardos Fundraising Guidelines, as set out in the fundraising pack. All funds raised should be made payable to Barnardos. You certify that all information you have provided on this application form and any further forms for this trek, is/are correct to the best of your knowledge. By signing and completing this registration form, you hereby agree to these terms and conditions. Under the Data Protection Act you may let us know at any time, if you no longer wish to receive mailings from Barnardos. Please tick if you do not want to receive future information from Barnardos: o If you object to your email address being passed onto your fellow challenge participants, please tick: o I have read and agree to abide by the Barnardos Trek Terms and Conditions. Signature: Date: Enclosed is: My signed and completed application form. My cheque for the registration fee, made payable to Barnardos. One clear copy of the photo page of my passport. My completed Medical Form. Please return all forms to: Robyn Macken, Barnardos, Christchurch Square, Dublin 8. Phone: 01 7080456 Email: robyn.macken@barnardos.ie