Barnesy's Fifth Blog - AXA Wealth Climb

Day three started a bit later than normal yesterday to give everyone the opportunity to rest after a long day. Unfortunately someone forgot to tell the porters as the camp was rudely awoken at 5:30am.

However, the advantage of this was clean to see, as we were all up to see the fabulous sunrise come above the cloud cover that lay below us. As the sun caught the light of the Mawenzi and Kibo peaks, I doubt there are many more spectacular places to sit out and eat breakfast.

A few of the group are feeling the effects of altitude sickness. For most this is a headache but for a few it is manifesting itself as nausea and even sickness. This is where the knowledge of the Team Kilimanjaro guides takes over. It is not uncommon when it comes to altitude and the guides monitor all individuals to ensure that their health is the priority.

The walk up to Camp 3 was between 4-5 hours, depending on the speed of the groups, which for the third day were shuffled again. Despite the short day there was a vertical gain of over 700m.  This climb saw transference from the scrubland into barren rocks and dust and we have reached an altitude of 4300m.

Whilst Mark Regan is slightly unique at times, he is an absolute star on a trip like this. Mark has a quip for everyone (it might take him 10 minutes to think about it) and generally has everyone in high spirits. Whether it's a variation of Bab or Babber or a funny saying, Mark is certainly making the time pass quicker. A good example of this entertainment was just given to me at dinner yesterday when one of the climbers recounted the story of Ronnie arguing that a pork chop and a tuna steak are impossible to differentiate. Ronnie has the unique ability to entertain the group whether intentionally or not.

As we arrived in camp early yesterday afternoon we were given the opportunity to trek further up to aid acclimatisation. The theory of climb high, sleep low should allow us all to sleep better tonight and give us the energy for summit night.

It was on this trek that we bumped into Derek Jelley, an ex prop from Leicester Tigers. It is amazing that in such a random place you can bump into someone you know. Derek is here to raise money for a charity, as are all members if the AXA Wealth Climb (AWC).

One of the charities of the AWC is the RPA Benevolent Fund. The charity provides financial and practical support to RPA members, whether they be suffering hardship, including injury or illness or assisting members to attain educational qualifications. The fund also helps alumni members with the ongoing cost of treatment.

Andy Blyth who is part of AWC is one of the beneficiaries of the RPA Benevolent Fund and we are raising money to help fellow players like him that are unfortunate to suffer serious injury or illness.

It is getting very cold once the sun goes down so socialising is reducing drastically as the warmth of the sleeping bag is far more appealing. What started as just T-shirts has progressed each day to an extra layer. As we sat at dinner yesterday evening we were clothed in a base layer, a thin fleece, a thick fleece and a huge puffa jacket. Luckily the AWC are superbly supported by Blacks, whose expert advice meant that all members are properly equipped for these temperature changes.

There are an unbelievable amount of Dave's in the group. At last count there were 9 Daves, which has meant if you forgot anyone's name there was a good chance he was Dave. If they were not Dave before, they are now. There is old Dave, surfer Dave, Waitrose Dave, underground Dave and even little blond Dave. As you can probably tell altitude affects the brain in many ways. For us so far it has given us a bizarre sense of humour.

The AXA Wealth Climb is in aid of Help for Heroes, the RPA Benevolent Fund and the RFU Injured Players’ Foundation.

Please donate by visiting www.uk.virginmoneygiving.com/axawealthclimb or by texting the word climb to 70050 to donate £1.50 +usual message rate. 100% of all donations go directly to the charities.