Bruce and I were just discussing that we were convinced that some of the things they tell you to buy for Kili are nonsense and is probably just a money making scheme. Like, why do you need walking sticks and gaiters? And no, a gaiter is not short for alligator but is a protective sleeve-like item that covers part of your boots and bottom of your trousers. The gaiters are supposed to keep rocks and sand out of your shoes and also help to keep your pants dry. So the speaker says: “One thing you really cannot go without is gaiters”. And I am thinking, oh my goodness, another R400 has just been added to my budget. My approach to buying equipment for the trip has been to only buy things that I will use again, and gaiters are truly at the bottom of the list. I am sure the kids will invent some new function for it afterwards though, but it is still to be seen if I am going to buy them. I think I will be experimental and go without these “apparent necessities” and will publish the findings of my not-so-scientific research after the climb!
Will be theeere in an hour |
So with only two weekends left, I forced poor Jan (who is very fit but doesn’t particularly enjoy hiking) to climb Helderberg Mountain with me - two weekends in a row. What a beautiful, beautiful mountain me have on our doorstep. Jan felt really guilty about me carrying the backpack, which I refused to give to him as I need the training. He explained to every single person whom we passed that I am training for Kilimanjaro, as his gentlemanliness just couldn’t stand the thought of me carrying the backpack!
Big was his surprise when we got to the top and I pulled out sandwiches and tea. He probably felt even more guilty realising the backpack was heavier than what he thought. What a lovely picnic we had!
ONE MORE WEEK LEFT!!!
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