Jeremy Twigg sends us the update on that inspiring fund-raiser:
I wanted to share some good news: Team IBDadventures safely reached the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro on September 13!
Says team member Clinton Shard from Squamish, BC:
“What an emotional roller coaster when we got to the summit. Incredible views, ice everywhere, and cold. Very cold. I hope when people hear about this trip they will recognize they can accomplish anything and they shouldn’t let Inflammatory Bowel Diseases stand in their way.”
After many, many hours trying to find a good deal on airfare. And rent-a-car. I finally gave up on trying to hike the island nation this summer.
I’ll start months in advance next time. And travel off-season.
Here’s what I missed …
Landmannalaugar
… Arguably the most famous hiking tour in Iceland is the Laugavegur Tour. Traditionally done north to south, the trek begins at a drop off point called Landmannalaugar. This tiny launch pad is a destination in its own right, in fact I would argue that it is the single most beautiful place I have ever been.
The area consists of one small hut (sleeps 80), a large campground for trekkers, a small building with sinks, toilets and showers, a covered eating area, an old school bus turned store, and the most coveted of all… a large natural hot spring that serves as swimming pool, meeting place, bath, warming room and of course bar. …
… This September, 16-year-old Clinton Shard of Squamish, B.C. is climbing Mount Kilimanjaro as a part of a team of six people led by Crohn’s patient Rob Hill, who is the founder of the Intestinal Disease Education and Awareness Society, or I.D.E.A.S. Both of these adventurers have Crohn’s disease, and have overcome tremendous obstacles in order to be able to take on this challenge.
While they are on their journey, they will be posting updates on Twitter (#roberthillclimb, #weneedideas); blogging, posting photos and videos (IBDAdventures.com); and even answering questions via video from their fans on the web while they are climbing! …
The most popular hiking route in Iceland is known as Laugavegur and links the areas of Thorsmork and Landmannalaugar. It is 54 km long and passes trough extremely diverse landscapes, tall mountains, coloured rhyolite areas, geothermal fields with erupting geysers, ice caves, sprawling sands, magnificent canyons and ends in verdant bitvh forests. Not forgetting the famed natural hot pools in Landmannalaugar.
The route is divided into four days of hiking. Setting off from Landmannalaugar is most popular, with overnight stays at Hrafntinnusker, Álftavatn, Emstrur and Thorsmork. All those locations have wardens and facilities for hikers are good.
The route is well marked and should be safe for everyone. Its highest point is Hrafntinnusker, at just over 1000 metres above sea level. There may be winter conditions there even in mid-summer and this is were the risk of losing the way when passing through the remainder of the winter snow is greatest.
The Laugavegur is a famous hiking trail in South-West Iceland from the hot springs and solfatara fields of Landmannalaugar to the glacial valley of Thorsmork.
The Ultralighter does this trail as an annual pilgrimage.
The summary of his 2009 trip report:
You probably don’t want to try the Loowit Trail now. Maybe 2011 or later, if the Forest Service does a bunch of work. Even Lava Canyon is impassable, unless you are very, very bold. So for now it’s the north half of the mountain or the Smith Creek valley, rewarding in their own ways.
map
He survived his most recent 33mi circuit. But barely.
This trip is no longer an adventure. It is an ordeal.
Its day three of Trail Magazine’s attempt on Mt Kilimanjaro via the Machame route, and things are starting to get tough. The mountain is getting seriously spectacular but the air is getting thin and exhaustion is kicking in. As midnight on the last day approaches, will it be a glorious dawn on Africas Highest mountain or a whopper of a disappointment? Join Trail Magazines Simon Ingram to find out…
It’s the world’s highest free-standing mountain, one of the seven summits and the highest peak in Africa. While a host of celebrities gear up to set foot on the slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro for Comic Relief, TRAIL magazine – the UK’s best-selling hill-walking magazine – has just got home from the mountain.
besthike.com 