Last year we reported on Ellis Robinson’s charity climb of England’s tallest peak, Scafell Pike, this year he has scaled Africa highest mountain, Kilimanjaro.
The adventure started on his sofa in Belle Isle two years ago when he was looking for something special to mark his 30th birthday. Fast forward to 19 July this year and Ellis was flying out to Tanzania.
Ellis met Robert, his guide, and the porters who would look after him on the seven day adventure.
On the second day of the Lemosho route they emerged through the jungle to their first view of the mountain.
“All the way up to Barafu camp, the last before the summit at an altitude of 4,673m, the scenery was beautiful with plants that only grow on Kilimanjaro” Ellis said.
The plan was to rise early on 26 July, Ellis’s birthday, for the final push to the summit. They left camp at 12:15am after another briefing from Robert and praying together.
After a couple of hours of a slow and steady steep ascent, Ellis was really feeling the lack of oxygen. Checking their position he realised he was only 400m from Stella Point where the gradient eases to the summit. Ellis and Robert reached the summit, Uhuru Peak, at 5:40am, the first to do so that day.
Ellis commented:
“It still doesn’t feel real that I’ve done it and if I’m honest I’m gutted it’s over, but what a way to turn 30. How many people can say they was the first person to summit Kilimanjaro, the Highest peak in Africa in -16° conditions with 48% oxygen in them on their 30th birthday?
“I’m truely grateful for this fun but life changing experience and will be back again to do the surrounding mountain. I’d like to thank my guide Robert, my team of porters and Trekking Hero who I booked through.”
Ellis has made a video of his trip which you can watch here:
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