Summit Fever… Poltair Kilimanjaro Team 2010
‘The climb was just fantastic, trekking through the different vegetations, and then the amazing feeling of pride, adrenaline, shock and happiness on the ‘Roof of Africa’. Getting to the summit was an amazing experience and is something I am sure I will never forget and it is something I will always be proud of and want to share with others. The memories of this trip will stay with me forever!’ Ollie Scott
The Poltair Kilimanjaro Team 2010 have returned from their expedition to Tanzania having successfully summitted Kilimanjaro on Thursday 18th February 07.00.
Six Poltair pupils past and present, formed a team with Expedition Leader Helen Blackburn (Poltair Outdoor Education teacher) to climb the summits of Kilimanjaro and Meru. The youngsters between 14 and 22 forged lasting memories of a unique landscape during their two week trip.
Prior to the expedition, the team visited the Tumaini Children Foundation orphanage on their day of moving into a new building. It was a life changing day for all involved. The team had raised enough money for the foundation to buy them a pregnant cow. The donated gardening tools from the Lost Gardens of Heligan, Insect Lore, Walter Baileys and Caerhays Estate were put to good use when we all visited their vegetable plot.
Dan Murphy explained the impact the expedition has had on his future; ‘From helping children who have nothing, no hope, prospects or definite future and to be able to help with delivering these crucial things to them revitalised hope in my life. Reaching the summit of Kilimanjaro will stay with me forever, not just as a talking point, an adventure or a trip of a lifetime but as a new beginning.’
In true expedition style, the team were one of many attempting to summit Mount Meru 4562m and Kilimanjaro 5895m. Within the first week on trek, the team summitted Meru having acclimatised well at altitude and monitored the early signs of altitude sickness.
A week later, at midnight on Wednesday 17th February, the team departed for the summit of Kilimanjaro. After seven hours of bitterly cold winds, snow flurries and darkness, the team reached the summit in a white out. Apart from the famous sign to keep us company, words cannot express exactly how we felt on the ‘Roof of Africa’ – elation, happiness, overwhelming…
As Katie Bateson reveals, ‘Getting to the summit of Kilimanjaro was just ‘wow’ – no words can explain that feeling when we were on the top. It has made me realise what I am capable of doing as a person. I have learnt that if you want something bad enough you can make it happen.’
Helen Blackburn (Poltair Kilimanjaro Team 2010 Expedition Leader)
On their return, the team will present their experience to sponsors, schools, family and friends back in the UK.
Download the expedition details pdf: Poltair School – Kilimanjaro meru 6th-20th Feb
The Yellowbrick Adventure Tracker is tracking Poltair Kilimanjaro Team on their expedition to Tanzania.
You can view the location and history of the tracker at:
http://live.adventuretracking.com/poltair
On the 'Roof of Africa' 5895m