Leading Lawyer Makes Molehill Out Of Mountain
Tony Hunt, Partner and Family Lawyer at Kitsons LLP recently set himself the challenge of climbing Kilimanjaro, the highest freestanding mountain in the world and the highest point in Africa. It is 5,895 meters (19,341 feet) above see level and is at roughly the same altitude as the Base Camp on Mount Everest.
It took six days to climb the summit and two days to descend. Usually the walking lasts between six to eight hours each day, but on the last day they walked for over sixteen hours. Tony and his team chose the Machame route which is considered one of the harder routes.
Dealing with the altitude is far more challenging than the actual walk itself. Everything is a real effort and special medication (Diamox) has to be is taken. Plus, there is nowhere to wash for the entire duration of the trip! The day before they attempted the summit a man died of a heart attack. On the day they were at the summit another man broke his leg following a fall. Approximately ten people die each year on the mountain. Tony was in a group of seven all of whom with the exception of one made it to the top and they all suffered with altitude sickness to one extent or another.
Their porters carried the tents and cooking equipment, whilst they each carried the three to five litres of water needed daily, together with their clothing.
This was a lifelong ambition for Tony, which he wanted to fulfil before getting too old. It took a great deal of planning which began late 2010, when the team were busy getting fit prior to the climb. Although it is not possible to train for walking at altitude, being physically fit made things a whole lot easier.
As the trek was an unusual thing to do, Tony decided to raise some money for charity. He raised a little over £600 for The Wooden Spoon, which helps disadvantaged children and young people throughout the UK. Kitsons LLP also helped out with the costs of some of the equipment that he needed.
Tony flew to Tanzania on 8th September 2011 and started the trek on the 10th September 2011. Tony and his team reached the top (Uhuru Peak) at about 9am on the 17th September 2011.
Well done Tony!
