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Brenda Phiri
ADRENALINE junkies are known for their addiction to the thrill that comes with living life on the edge. They look for this thrill in over the edge activities and dangerous sports. The sense of danger draws the body to programme itself into the “fight or flight mode”. According to experts, the heart rate increases and the breathing rate ramps up. The result is a euphoric feeling that lasts for hours.
The pain addicts go to experience the thrill.
From bungee jumping off a cliff to climbing the world’s most dangerous mountains, all in the name of getting a fix.
Six Zimbabweans recently embarked on adventure to tame Africa’s highest mountain – Mt Kilimanjaro.
Located on Tanzania’s northern border with Kenya, the mountain is made up of three extinct volcanoes.
The group’s reasons for taking on the mountain was more than to satisfy crave for the rush.
It was a test of willpower.
Alex Kimem, an engineer based in South Africa; Nigel Kapswarah, a marketer based in Dubai; Shingai Mutukwa, an engineer based in the United Kingdom; Rufaro Maunze, an accountant based in Australia; Willard Machine, an information communication technology consultant based in Zimbabwe; Anthony Mandishona, who is into actuarial services in South Africa and United Kingdom-based accountant Chido Mutukwa made up the group that set out for the task.
Although the friends had known each other for a while, nothing compares to the bond they created upon return from Mt Kilimanjaro.
Group representatives Mutukwa and Mandishona opened up to Saturday Herald Lifestyle about the group’s life-changing experience.
“We all grew up together in Zimbabwe. We were either in school together or knew each other socially. But after Kilimanjaro it was like a lifetime!” they said in an email.
According to them, it had been a subconscious desire for all members to climb Mount Kilimanjaro at some stage. Oz-based Maunze, was, however, the instigator of the ex- pedition.
“Kilimanjaro is synonymous with us as Africans, hence it made sense that our first hiking adventure should be to the peak of Africa’s highest mountain. It is also the highest free standing mountain in the world that is 5 895 metres above sea level,” they said.
With the majority in the group having no prior experience in mountain climbing, courage and determination was all it took for them to gather guts to make it happen.
All seven underwent various training regimes in preparation but, reality proved that nothing was enough to prepare them for what lay ahead.
One’s patience would be stretched.
Noses would run from the temperatures that dropped as low as minus 14 degrees Celsius.
They endured exhaustion and altitude sickness whose symptoms include loss of appetite, headaches, vomiting, fatigue and shortness of breath.
The urge to give up constantly lurked at the back of their minds.
It was more like a fight it to go on. It is more like being at war with oneself.
“A few of us did endurance training. One trained with a local football team, while others took up running and walking exercises. Another member did no training at all. In reality no amount of training can prepare anyone for the challenge and other factors like acclimatisation, it overrides physical fitness,” they said.
Although they faced countless trials and tribulations throughout their journey to the top of the mountain, professional guides and a support team of porters made life easier.
“The hardest part of climbing Kilimanjaro was the summit climb, particularly, getting to Stella’s Point. It was a relentless steep uphill climb that lasted nine hours.
“At some point during our final push towards the summit a few people even asked the guides if they could turn back, however none of us did,” they said.
Their magical moment, however, came when they finally conquered the mountain. They described the experience as “truly magical”.
“It tests your body, mind and soul. You are one with nature. It is not about money or any other gain besides the mental satisfaction of conquering Africa,
“There is a special energy of united camaraderie on the mountain. We met people from all over the world all pushing and encouraging each other for a common goal. Sharing this experience with friends, the guides, the porters and fellow mountain climbers added to what was already a fantastic experience,” they concluded.
After taking multiple pictures and waving the Zimbabwean flag on top of the mountain the mission had been complete. It was safe to say they had come, saw and conquered.
As souvenirs, the six friends took home Masai blankets known as by the local people as “Shuka”.
The best memento, however, would be the memories of conquering the tallest mountain in Africa.
On their next expedition, the group revealed they had that one figured out already.
“World Cup is in Brazil next year so we intend to include the Inca Trails in our itinerary!” They concluded.
Online Reporter