November 2015
the snows did not
elude us but the summit did ... although a few days after our climb, KampalaExecutive Aviation (KEA) pilot Sasha saw some fantastic views when he flew a
German film crew up who are filming for a Rwenzori documentary.
Where exactly in the Congo are we?
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| The Rwenzori Massif lies in the North-East |
And if you want to climb on the Congo side, check this out
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| Look top right ... we are in the Rwenzori Massif. |
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| We didn't get weather great enough to see this view ... but this is what you CAN see! |
The Team Collects
Anne-Marthe
an arctic guide in Svalbaad who knows how to handle a crevase rescue should it
arise.
Grace, a
Kiwi mountaineer who lives life in the fast lane!
And myself
... a tag along, there to learn!
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| The Team |
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| Grace and Anne-Marthe |
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| Hollie M'gog |
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| Alex ... our Congolese guide |
The Journey Begins
The White
House was our first centre of operations ... a cheap, clean and cheerful
guest-house in Kasese town, Western Uganda saw us buying last minute pairs of
socks (Anne-Marthe), gumboots (4 pairs for the porters and myself), packs of
playing cards and the daily newspaper (welcome gifts in out-of-the-way places)
as well as tea, peanut butter mayonnaise and sweets ...
And so on
the 2nd November we set off ...
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| On the way ... |
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| Congolese Immigration officers |
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| Congolese Visa |
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| Nice Car!! |
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| Overloading in the Congo |
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| Grace has a pee stop in the Congo |
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| The road is blocked by a double container truck stuck in mud ... |
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| We continue on bodas ... |
A Basecamp we never expected ...
On arrival at the basecamp we found that we had a tent each! There was hot water and flush toilets and Rogettes, the camp chef, was on hand to build the fire and make hot water. Although you have to self cater, there are pots and pans, cutlery and crockery for use as well as a covered dining area with tables and chairs and a very comfortable sofa set and low coffee table ...
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| The grand driveway into the Rwenzori Basecamp, Congo side |
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| Park Logo |
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| Our tents were set in the jungle! |
The next morning we pitched up an hour early and accused Alex of being late .... but we had forgotten about the time change!
Our porters arrived, Isaac, Aselme, Leonard.
I'll note it here but Grace and Anne-Marthe are at teh fitness level that they carried all their own gear - I hired a porter! The other two porters carried food, ours and theirs, as well as some gear.
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| Getting ready to hike ... map and compass! |
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| A drawing of the route |
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| Grace and the ICCN trucks. |
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