Barnesy's Sixth Blog - AXA Wealth Climb

I am writing this on Wednesday morning so we have skipped a day. We woke up this morning, after a very cold night, to find the tents all covered in a thick layer of frost. Today was officially a lie-in till 6 so everyone is hopefully more refreshed as we set off on a reasonably short trek that will see us initially go higher but then finish at a camp 3-400 m below the  present camp. The trek route designed by Team Kilimanjaro has been developed to give us the best chance of acclimatisation and therefore summittiing.

Members of the Axa Wealth Climb (AWC) who have been very strong over the previous three days, are suddenly reduced to shadows of their former selves. One of the members struck down today would be considered to be one of the fittest and strongest of the group but altitude sickness has no respect for health or ability as anyone can suffer it's dehabilitating effects. Fortunately the altitude drop today should help alleviate some of the symptoms, however trekking with no energy, due to lack of sleep and food is no fun. The teamwork and friendships that have developed since we left the UK last week are now more important than ever as we support each other through the mentally tough times.

Once underway the snake of people moving between camps is spread out across the desert terrain.  We are all back in our starting teams of 6 so that the TK  guides can monitor us closely to understand what time would be appropriate for us to leave the last camp on the summit night. Slight changes in character, appetite and walking speed are all noted by the guides and reported on each night.

While walking this morning the groups broke out into song to cheer everyone up. Some extremely badly sung versions of classic songs echoed off the walls.

One of the members of my trekking group is my tentmate Andy Blyth. I have already spoken about how amazing it is for Andy to have contemplated this challenge given the seriousness of his neck injury in 2000. Over the past four days Andy has trekked alongside us without ever complaining about his own personal discomfort. He has taken a few falls, as his legs have given way, but each time he picks himself up, dusts himself down  and cracks a joke about himself.

Every step is a huge challenge for him and it says so much about his resilience that he is still going strong and more determined than ever to make the summit at Uhuru Peak on Thursday morning. Andy is proving to be a huge inspiration to many of us as however bad we feel every step Andy takes is far harder than one of ours.

I am climbing for the RPA Benevolent Fund, a charity established to help rugby players through times of injury or hardship.

Unfortunately I have not seen Mark Regan today as his team set off at a cracking pace and were first into camp so I have no new revelations. He did leave us with a philosophical quote last night, however: " upto now has been the regular season, now is the time to win the trophies ... Baab!!" (Mark Regan is available for motivational speaking).

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.