To the Top of Africa and Back!

I’m no mountaineer and definitely no camper! Traveler? For sure. Adventurer? Possibly – as long as I know that I can return to a place of comfort. I have now returned to my place of comfort – my home – and I’m glad to be back and able to reflect on my journey.

If I have to sum up the experience in one sentence it would be: This was an experience of extremes – the toughest thing I've ever done.

I both hated every minute and loved every minute at the same time. An experience that challenged me on every level - physical, mental, emotional and spiritual. The question of “why am I here?” came up every single day and yet...

The exhilaration, the beauty and the spirituality were beyond description. To push yourself beyond the point you imagine you can go and then to be rewarded with magnificence and pure beauty is indescribable. To absorb nature's art in its purest form is joy! My eyes filled with tears every day – sometimes from the sheer hardship and sometimes for no reason at all.

The final night was a period of being awake 36 hours and on our feet for 25 of those. I was frozen to the bone. I didn't think some of my fingers or toes would make it. I was exhausted, depleted and broken. Shuffling along step by step in a line up, I was constantly battling the grip of cold, tiredness, breathlessness. I constantly needed to be woken up by my buddy behind me as I sleepwalked some of the time. The thoughts in my head kept me going and its amazing to become aware of where your mind goes in times of hardship. There was a point that I didn't think I would make it – my breaking point – just before sunrise. I could not see how far I had come or how much further there was still to go. All I knew was that I had been walking for hours and I was done – my body would move no more. I could go no further. A few sips of tea from the guides, hand rubs, back rubs and strong words of “you can do it, Daphna” somehow gave me the inch of strength I needed to get up again and reach towards sunlight – our only measurement of the end.

The rays of the sun were like a healing energy, as a little warmth and energy started seeping through my body and thawing my frozen bones. Slowly slowly I trudged further along the path. I made it, first to Stella point – a milestone on the journey to the summit – and then to Uhuru Peak – the summit. Uhuru was a further hour of walking in the cold, thin air. The path seemed endless, every slow step getting us closer to the peak. At this stage some of us walked in pairs, arms entwined, partners in climb, supporting each other to the end. The feeling of reaching the summit was incredible – it was unbelievable to have reached our goal in such tough conditions. We hugged, cried, laughed and took plenty photos. We had arrived at our goal after 5.5 days of climbing – just one step at a time!

I feel blessed and privileged to have reached the summit because I was millimeters away from not making it. The reward was the magnificence of the place and closeness to G-d! The support of the team and our loved ones back home got us through. This is an experience that has been life changing for me – I had to dig so very deep to get there and I found the strength in the depth of my soul, in G-d’s guiding angels, in the support of the team and in the love of the people back home. 
 

At the end of a full night of walking, we still faced the walk down. Another 9 hours of downward climbing to the camp where we would spend the next night. Just as we reached the end of our strength, we knew we had much further to go! Reaching the summit was a giant achievement but coming down was still part of the journey too. Once again, we reached deep inside us to find the strength to continue and we did! Well done team Kili!

This is a Big Deal

Decision to preparation to action takes some giant leaps. This trip has been a part of my life and thoughts for 3 months now but nothing compares to the morning of. I wake up with an energy that is electric – I can barely sit still to write this blog. Together with that sits a knot in my stomach expressing the dread of what I’ve undertaken. I realise that this is actually a big deal. Yes, another crazy idea that I’m actually putting into practice!

I can’t actually believe that the day has arrived, that this is really happening. The logistics of the things that need to get taken care of before I leave are a mere distraction from my feelings that are overwhelming.

As I sit here and write, I am filled with love and emotion for the way this journey has taken hold and I’m touched with the outpouring of love and support that I’ve experienced. My eyes fill with tears at the messages that I receive from my friends wishing me well on this journey. The prayers, quotes and words are filled with love and that is ultimately what this journey is about.

As I say see you soon – lehitraot, tot siens – I’m carrying all that love and encouragement with me and I know that this is what will get me to the summit! On those cold, lonely, exhausting days and nights I will know that you are all with me rooting for me to go further – one step at a time! Onwards and upwards my friends…

The science and technology of Kili gear

 Jo Borkett, Mango, Truworths, Foschini and Forever New are my regular hangouts when the time comes to add some items to my wardrobe. High heels and power dressing is my regular delight. I’ve often been told that there’s “casual” and there’s “Daphna casual” which doesn’t quite make the casual cut. However, in the last few weeks, I’ve discovered a whole new world (and wardrobe). Shops I never knew existed, are now my regular haunts and I still fill with dread at the thought. The new list covers Drifters, Cape Union Mart and Columbia for serious camping gear! The new wardrobe is filing with fleeces, down and thermals and definitely NO COTTON!

There is a science to Kili clothing that has absolutely nothing to do with style, fit or colour. The latest concepts are comfort, warmth, waterproofing and wicking!

In the past, warmth was achieved through various layers that have to match and complement each other in style. Now, I’m asked to believe that 3 layers will keep me super-warm and as long as the size is right and there’s no cotton, forget style and colour!

So… how does it all work?

There are 3 layers to Kili clothing and these will keep you dry and warm if you do everything as per the instructions. The first is the thermal layer – top and bottom to keep the moisture off your body. The second layer is for warmth. Here come the fleeces. There are 100, 200 and 300 fleeces and the number has to do with the weight of the fleece per square meter. These come in 3 basic styles and 2 colours per style if you’re lucky! You can layer as many fleeces as you like to increase warmth. Finally comes the outer layer – a breathable plastic that hold the heat in, basically the weight of a rain coat.

That’s it! Of course you then add to your list boots, socks, gloves, buffs (never heard of these before), scarf and hat and you’re equipped! Nearly every item needs 2 layers and all this is really important for summit night so you land up spending on fortune on stuff you need for one night only!

My first visit to Drifters was completely overwhelming. I walked in, got the drill and walked out again without buying a thing. As the shop assistant was talking, my heart started beating faster, my breathing got shallower and I thought I was having a panic attack at the amount in need to spend on items I will probably never wear again… and seriously, the most commonly found colours are black and grey.

The second time, I sent my good friend with the instruction – buy 2 of everything! What you get for you, get for me too! This was great! I thought I wouldn’t have to go back. But, alas, I did. With the third trip, I was equipped with a list of what I still needed – the guys were great – and I made it in and out with everything I needed and still breathing!

The guys at Cape Union Mart and Columbia are great too! They greet me by name as I walk through the door and are always ready to help out. Thanks for making this whole new shopping world as painless as possible for me – and I certainly hope that the gear will keep me warm, dry and comfortable and that I won’t have to come back for a visit anytime soon!