KILIMANJARO

In November 2026, I will attempt to summit Mount Kilimanjaro (5,895 metres) — a demanding trek that requires months of physical and mental preparation. This is not a holiday climb. it involves extreme altitude, long days of hiking, and harsh conditions.

I’ve chosen this challenge to reflect the determination and resilience shown by the children treated at Birmingham Children’s Hospital every single day.

While my challenge lasts a matter of days, their battles can last a lifetime.

Training updates, preparation progress, and climb updates will all be shared here as the journey unfolds.

A Mountain That Must Be Respected

Mount Kilimanjaro may not require ropes or technical climbing, but it is far from safe. Standing at 5,895 metres, it rises into an environment where the human body simply is not designed to function. 

Extreme altitude, freezing temperatures, physical exhaustion, and rapidly changing weather make this mountain a serious and potentially life-threatening challenge.

Every year, climbers are forced to turn back due to severe altitude sickness, and tragically, people do lose their lives on Kilimanjaro. 

The biggest danger is the lack of oxygen — at the summit, oxygen levels are around 50% of what we breathe at sea level. This can lead to Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS), High Altitude Pulmonary Oedema (HAPE), or High Altitude Cerebral Oedema (HACE), all of which can be fatal if not treated immediately.

Temperatures can plunge well below freezing, even reaching -20°C, while exhaustion, dehydration, and disorientation can set in quickly. Summit night alone involves hiking for up to 12–16 hours, in darkness, cold, and thin air — pushing both body and mind to breaking point.

Kilimanjaro is a reminder that nature does not compromise. It demands respect, preparation, and resilience. This is not a walk — it is a serious endurance test where mistakes can have devastating consequences.

I’m taking this challenge on with professional guidance, medical awareness, and extensive preparation — but the risks are real, and that’s what makes this climb so meaningful.