everest

3 interesting facts about Everest, the name

Darren Everest Base Camp, Nepal adventure, bucket list, everest, everest base camp, fun, Nepal, trek

Mount Everest, as it is commonly known, has three names:

1. Mount Everest was named in honour of the first Surveyor-General of India, Sir George Everest, by the Royal Geographical Society.

Radhanath Sickdhar, was the brilliant mathematician who used his skills to calculate the height and discovered that in 1852 that Peak XV (as it was known then) was the highest mountain in the world. It took until 1856 to ratify that the mountain was actually the highest.

2. Sagarmatha is the Nepalese name for the mountain and means ‘Goddess of the Sky’

The mountain is located in the Sagarmatha National Parkm which was established in 1976. The Nepali region is home to the Sherpa people and as you trek to Everest Base Camp you stop at the Sherpa capital, Namche Bazaar.

3. Chomolungma is the Tibetan name and commonly means ‘Mother Goddess of the Earth’ although there are other translations. It is believed that this is the oldest name for the mountain although there is debate about this. The Tibetans had reserved the name for the highest mountain in the world but this was only confirmed after the British survey.

6 Mount Kilimanjaro facts

Darren BLOG, Kilimanjaro Tips 7 summits, adventure, africa, bucket list, everest, hiking, kilimanjaro, mount kilimanjaro, travel, trek, trekking

Kilimanjaro or Mount Kilimanjaro as it is sometimes called is one of the most popular trekking peaks in the world. A Kilimanjaro Trek requires no technical skills and any fit person can reach the summit. You can reach Kilimanjaro from the UK on flights direct into Kilimanjaro Airport, Africa.

Where is Kilimanjaro?

Kilimanjaro is situated on the Tanzanian/Kenyan border and the Mountain can clearly be seen rising above the African plains whilst on Tanzania safari. Kilimanjaro’s Weather is very different in each of the climate zones, ranging from tropical heat through the rain forest to sub-zero temperatures on the summit.

We’ve compiled six interesting facts, which will help you undertake a trekking adventure to the Kilimanjaro.

1. Kilimanjaro is the highest mountain on the African continent and is the tallest free-standing volcano in the world. Kilimanjaro’s height in meters is 5,985 or 19,340 feet and the summit is clearly visible from Kenya. The classic images of Giraffe are taken from within the Amboseli national park, just over the border into Kenya. Mount Kilimanjaro is at the southern edge of the Great African Rift, a section of East Africa which is slow moving into the Indian Ocean. This creates an immense amount of volcanic activity and if you like rocks, you’ll be amazed at the size of some of the rocks which started inside the mountain and now lie strewn across the Mars-like landscape.

2. From the 5,895metre (19, 341 feet) summit of Kilimanjaro, you’ll be able to stand in awe at witnessing something amazing, the curvature of the earth. This very unique and privileged experience is often reserved for passenger airlines or Everest summiteers, this makes reaching the summit Kilimanjaro even more precious. Not only this, depending on which time of year Kilimanjaro is climbed, you could be the highest person in the world… How cool is that?

3. Kilimanjaro is known as a dormant strata volcano! The last major eruption was 360,000 years ago, the last activity was only 200 years ago, this which resulted in the creation of the ash pit, which trekkers can see today from the summit. It is said that the lava or magma is only 1 kilometre below our feet, which is pretty amazing. Due to the hight of Kilimanjaro, glaciers have been on the summit since before records began when they used to cover the entire summit, making reaching the top impossible. Unfortunately, the glaciers are now in retreat and some estimate they will completely disappear in the next 20-years.

4. Kilimanjaro has 3 volcanic cones, Kibo, Mwenzi, Shira. The Shira cone has now been eroded by the weather and the passage of time, which has left amazing plateaux, over which the views to Kibo are unbroken. Mwenzi is clearly visible from Barrafu (Base) camp and it keeps a watchful eye on us as we ascend towards Stella point on summit night. During the cold dark summit night, I keep a watch on Mwenzi waiting for the dawn glow on the horizon, when this appears I know we are nearly at Stella point and only 50-minutes away from fulling many dreams.

5. Did you know? Kilimanjaro is the only place on Earth where you can walk from the equator to the Arctic in 7-days, pretty special ah? This is only possible due to Kilimanjaro’s unique ecological system starting on the plains of Africa, starting you pass through dense rain Forrest, Heathland, Moorland, Alpine Desert until you reach the Arctic zone. Each day is different and the higher we climb the more unique the landscape becomes. If you’ve ever thought about walking on Mars, then this is the closet landscape to that experience.

6. Over 25,000 people attempt to summit Kilimanjaro each year, with approximately 2/3 being successful (we have a 100% success rate). To have a greater chance of summiting the mountain, choose treks which are 7-day’s (or longer), this will increase your chances by 21% over a 6-day trek. Check with your tour operator to make sure the working conditions, pay and welfare of your porters are well documented and they have a proven record. Also, your life will be in the hands of the guide and support team, choose wisely! and remember you get what you pay for…

Be sure to Live your dream and do something amazing today.

Remember! One day is not a day!

Have a super day,

Darren – founder Mountains in Mind.

A damn hard run

Darren What do we get up to! darren hunt, everest, kilimanjaro, marathon, Running

Sunday 6th January 2103 saw 8 Mow Cop runners line up on the start line of the Trigs race. An 16 mile race across the expanses of Cannock Chase in Staffordshire. Now I’ve spent many an hour over here on my mountain bike and as a young army cadet sergeant but never ran it, but knew it was going to be tough.

The race got under way just after 11am, with around 130 runners from different clubs scrambling for a good running line. As we ran further runners went there own way as this was a navigation course, and you’re under you own devices, map and compass at the ready. The aim is to get to 4 Trig points in the quickest time possible! Our navigation choice was to stay low level along sherwood valley until the climb towards the first trig point, which is close the old rifle range. The day started to warm up ( or was it me) as we moved quickly up the first climb, aptly named bugger hill ( for obvious reasons) by my brother who bikes over here a lot than I do. It was warming so much that I removed my Rab long sleeved top and just wore my vest. My legs and lungs were on fire at the top and a run turned into slow jog. We hit the first Trig point .

With great encouragement from the marshal’s from Mercia Fell running club and my brother, Paul, who was following us on his mountain bike we headed of towards on the next very long leg to the railway crossing and the climb to Trig No2. We started running with a group of around 5-6 other runners, including a Mercia runner who we followed ( easier than Navigating yourself ) . We were all pretty evenly matched and kept changing position, then a great down hill section approached and love these, so off I shot. We had 2 mins to take on some water and cross the railway line and busy main road.

We then set off along a forest fire track which was ok until an incline were I just lose my legs. We lost the other group, crossed the road and headed up towards Trig No2 ( i said it was a long way )… We passed other runners on the return leg from the Trig point heading in the opposite direction, we saw 2 of our club mates Damo and Andrew, they said only 10 mins to go, but it was up hill and that was it. Now I’m OK walking up the hills and mountains as a Mountain Guide and instructor, but running is an art I’m destined to crack in 2013. We felt we were moving more and more down the field with less and less runners behind us – Damn. Well this was only ever was going to be a Training run..wasn’t it?

We hit Trig No2 and headed to Trig No3. Down a muddy path until we hit the main forest trail, then up again – yes you got it I walked, albeit quickly (ish). Now we are at mile 11 and we run along a main road to the next trig, dibbed in and took a marked short cut. During the next 20 mins or so was a bit of a blur ( well that was my excuse anyway ). We took , sorry I took a wrong turn and ended up 25 mins behind and for good measure added an extra 2 mile. Still – a great navigator can and has the ability to relocate 🙂 – this area of the chase is a little like the Bermuda triangle as another runner from Macclesfield harriers had the same thing happen to him too…

Still onward and upwards! and it should have been downwards if we’d taken the right path, still never mind these things are a test.. We hit the right track and headed down very quickly, feeling the odd twinge on my right calf. Passing mountain bikers and families we hit the Railway crossing and took on more water.

Then we headed on towards No4 Trig, our final one at Glacier Stone, which i think is that highest place on the chase. But before long we hit the nice down hill from earlier, but this time it was up! Now at this stage I’d had an energy gel and healthy cereal bar and was starting to flag – mile 14. The track leveled out and we ran with 2 guys from Nottingham. My brother was with us too, as he’d met us coming down the previous track, it was a slow run as this was the furthest I’d run since July when we completed a 33mile ultra. Having to dig deep and keep focused, even though you could hear the clock ticking and the sound just gets louder.

We soon passed day trippers and families out for a leisurely afternoon and headed back to the shrub land. Crossing the valley we climbed up aiming towards Trig N04. We ran up a path , then across to what I thought was contouring – Wrong. Now at this time we were about 4-5 mins in front of the guys from Nottingham having taken them on the down hill and not stopping on the up’s. This little oversight meant they were now 5 mins in front – Damn. Still we scrambled our way across the heath and shrub, dropping my left foot into a hole and hitting the floor trying not to twist it we arrived on the correct path.

10 mins or was it 30 mins passed ( well it felt like 30 ) we made it to the final Trig point. Yipee. We then carried on towards Milford and Home. The downhill towards the old railway sidings were full of families, dogs and push chairs, but we ran down as fast as we could only to see the 2 guys from Nottingham about 2- mins in front. Paul who met us again at the top by trig No4 said you can get them…

Now I have No idea where it came from, but I gathered speed, then more speed, my legs were moving fast, running straight through the mud and puddles – now when running it hurts, and when it does you often put your mind some place else! Sometimes to hide the pain, sometimes to find the motivation – now don’t laugh – I imagined I was in the 10k Tri-athleon race with the Brownlee brothers ( a far cry I know, but it worked for me 🙂 ). I took the guys just as we started to climb 300 meters from home, all i could hear was my long suffering girlfriend Clare saying ‘ why did’n’t he run this fast way back there?’ I noticed somebody else running behind me, I turned hoping to see Clare as I would let her finish first, but it wasn’t, it was one of the guys from Nottingham – so in Mow Farrah style I kicked in to a sprint finish .

It was damn hard we did 18.5 mile in little less that 3:29 – and we were 4th from last! Not the best time in the world ( winner did 1:43) but a damn good training run over 1800 feet of ascent.

Hers to the next one.

Have fun and go try something different

Darren

Day 2 to Namche Bazar

Darren What do we get up to! darren hunt, everest

Day 2 of the trek to Everest Base Camp.

Had no Internet connection yesterday at Phakding lodge so unable to post a blog.

Yesterday started with a very early start and a 30 min flight to Lukla. The airport is set in the mountains and runway looked like 3cms long when we approached to land! The plane lands going up an inclined runway, which was interesting 🙂

The trek to our first nights accommodation was awesome, the views of 6000 meter peaks was just out of this world , the views got even more inspiring with each turn of the path.

The path we share with horses, yaks and porters carrying some of the heaviest packs on there backs I’ve ever seen, how can your knees take it?

The day finished with a very nice meal in the Phakding lodge.

Today (tuesday) started at 6am with a warm water wash from a bowl , then a breakfast of oats and toast. our team of 8 and 6 porters and Sherpas set out for today’s long walk and 800 meter climb to Namche Bazar . After crossing metal foot bridges which we share with horses and yaks over 200 meter drops, we stopped for lunch just before the last 600 meter climb.

The climb was slow due to the lack of air, it was warm, but soon clouded over and started to rain. After a 3 hour climb we arrived at our lodge hotel ‘ hotel Tibet’ for lemon tea.

The Internet connection is slow so I’ve had to blog from my iPhone ( phew) .

Heading to bed soon ready for a dry day tomorrow. We will climb to the everest view hotel and then descend back to Namche which will aid acclimatisation.

Monday – Packing for Everest

Darren What do we get up to! Ben Nevis, darren hunt, everest, everest base camp, kilimanjaro, Mountains in mind, Namchee Bazaar

Be sure to know where you are.

Everest in less than a week. Next Monday we’ll be trekking to Namche Bazaar en route to Everest base camp. I’ve started to pack my kit in my bag ready for the off and it’s all a bit exciting. The all important list as been written so I can be sure everything is packed, and of course I don’t not to much stuff. When we plan things I find it helps, all a bit of a nightmare though as we often put this simple task to one side and we just go do it, so it can be a bit overwhelming.

I thought it might be an idea to plan the trip with the summit (end) in mind, normally it would be a summit or a climbing route. On this trip it will Everest Base Camp, so I’ve worked back from there. Firstly it will be cold and I’ll be camping! So I started with packing cold weather gear, Duvet jacket, Smart wool base layer, ‘long johns’, gloves, Hat, primaloft jacket and nice thick socks. Also I’ve packed a nice warm 3 season sleeping bag, with insulated inner I used on Kilimanjaro and various cold wild camps in the UK.

It’s only when you start to plan we realise how much more there is to do. However we get added motivation when we start ticking off the tasks.

Next on my list……

One week to go

Darren What do we get up to! darren hunt, everest, everest base camp, kilimanjaro, Money exchange kathmandu

Only one week until to go, until we head out to Nepal for a trip of a lifetime. Can’t wait! to see the Himalaya and all the mountains in the greater ranges. One of the little things we need to do is sort out the spending money. We can use USD or Sterling to exchange in Kathmandu, normally at the hotel, airport or in Bureau de exchange in the city. On the trek though we can only exchange USD.

I’ll transfer some USD onto a pre-paid card so i can withdraw at the ATM in Kathmandu and take some Stirling. I’ll Budget 7$ a day for tips, 15£ a day for sundries, presents , water etc.

Other considerations are for drinking water. The higher we travel to base camp, the more the price increases, I’m told around 2.50£ per litre. We can boil the water at tea houses and drop a sterilisation tablet in to kill any bugs .