August 2013 Issue 553 - Rotary Down Under

KILIMANJARO
On arrival at Kibo and full of apprehension for the hours
ahead, we enter our tent. In doing so, my daughter Sarah
looses her footing and falls on the gravelly and broken
ground. She lands heavily on her previously injured
ankle. The expedition doctor immediately attends to her.
Although we maintain a small hope of her still being able
to climb, it soon becomes obvious that her attempt for
the final summit push is over.
We have two hours to nap before briefing and dinner
– another meal we have to literally force down. Then
it’s back to bed for three more hours. I surprisingly
sleep soundly.
We are awakened at 11pm. Seventeen climbers and
guides, under torch light start the move up the mountain.
The temperature is plummeting quickly. There are no
views until Gilman’s Point is reached, but, as if a switch
is flicked, as we come over the rim of the summit crater
the daylight breaks over the Tanzanian Plains 5000
metres below.
At about 8am we reach the sign post marking the summit
itself. Uhuru Peak – the true roof of Africa. Panoramic
views of centuries-old glaciers,
other peaks in the distance, planes
flying below us. This is a magical
moment. A personal triumph. The
accomplishment of climbing for
the benefit of others. A touch of
sadness, not being able to share
the success with Sarah.
Breathless is the only word
that accurately describes how I
feel at this moment. Somehow,
I manage to rustle up enough
energy to dance a triumphant and
celebratory jig before huddling the
group together for a summit photo,
the same way we started this epic
journey. I recruit the assistance of
my climbing partners and capture
photos of my sponsors’ banners at
the summit. The wind is gale force
and reduces the temperature to
somewhere near minus 15 degrees. The biting pain on
my fingers, however, is inconsequential as without the
support of the Rotary Club of Berry, NSW, the Rotary Club
of Cronulla, NSW, and other corporate and individual
sponsors I would not be in a position to realise a $10,000
donation to Amnesty Australia.
Due to the altitude and high winds, we are only able to
stay at the summit for a short time before beginning our
descent back down to Kibo. I am greeted by Sarah and we
rejoice together upon the success of the climb.
It is three hours to Horombo, where we will camp for
the night. Exhausted but full of joy for our mountain
success, the solace of knowing we have done this for
people who suffer at the will of others throughout their
lives somehow carries our beyond-tired bodies forward.
We reach camp, and we set up house in our tents for the
last time. •
Warehouse
Manager
required...
for new distribution
network from an
Auckland base.
Product is external building material
which has just been certified by BRANZ.
This material has been on the Australian
market for 25 years with minimal sales
in New Zealand.
The position will require the person to have
experience in warehouse distribution,
sales preferably in the building industry.
An attractive renumeration package will be
available to successful applicant.
For initial enquiries contact Geoff Sell at
sell4@bigpond.com.au
www.rotarydownunder.org 31