Kilimanjaro - Prevent Breast Cancer Team - 6th September

Leader: Dave Pritt

12th September 2025 - Summit Success on Kilimanjaro for the Prevent Breast Cancer Team!

After a few hours of much needed sleep in our tents, we layered up against the cold night air, turned on our head torches and started the final ascent.
The dark allowed for concentration, following the boots in front, guides shouting 'pooly pooly' (Swahili 'pole pole' meaning 'slowly slowly')
The air being so thin our mouths were open, the sounds of everyones deep breathing - to take in any oxygen.

This was it, the big push up and up the rock, relentless but exciting. Our determination as a group that had come to feel as one with our support for each other.
A mix of emotion, waves of nausea and an underlying headache... that weirdly you can put aside, due to the knowledge that this was such an incredible adventure we were so lucky to be on and of knowing that each slow step up was bringing us closer to the most incredible views.

As the sun started to appear, the bitter cold allowed a golden warmth to light up the rock.
Time seemed to stand still as we pushed on, shouting words of encouragement up and down our line; "We've GOT this" "remember why we are here"
What a team we had become ❤️

And there she was! The summit of the highest freestanding mountain the the WORLD !

The thinnest oxygen allowed for the loudest cheers, as we yelped and hugged and heartilly shook the hands of our guides.

No words can describe the feeling.
You have found a strength in yourself you never thought you had.

We all agreed that this experience; the days and nights with our team and of course the unbelievable final moments on that undescribable summit... would change us and remain with us forever.

I hope our team photos allow a glimpse into our experience and that one day you too might understand how we now all feel.

(Lucinda x)

10th September 2025 - The team were on the TV this morning on Good Morning Britain

The team are going well , today they are heading to the Lava Tower at 4,630m, before enjoying the stunning descent into Baranco Camp, where they’ll get their first views of tomorrow’s challenge: the climb up the Baranco Wall.
Did you catch them being interviewed this morning on @gmb Good Morning Britain by LorraineKelly @lorrainekellysmith? 👏 You can see the interview in the video clip below.

Today, the team is heading to the Lava Tower at 4,630m, before enjoying the stunning descent into Baranco Camp, where they’ll get their first views of tomorrow’s challenge: the climb up the Baranco Wall.

Tomorrow will be a long and exciting day. The team will first tackle the scramble up the Baranco Wall by following a series of rock ledges. From camp it looks daunting, but it’s far less technical than it appears. At the top, they may be treated to a breathtaking cloud inversion before continuing down to Karanga Camp and then climbing once again to reach Barafu Hut at 4,600m. Here they will camp until midnight, when they set off for the summit.

You can donate here:

Breast Cancer Just Giving

9th September 2025 - Support the Charity.

So far the group have raised an amazing £76,000 for the charity. If you would like to donate, then please follow this link to their just giving page: Prevent Breast Cancer Just Giving

8th September 2025 - At the Park Gate

Yesterday, the team finally all met up and enjoyed a meal at the hotel before preparing to head to the mountain. Today, they were taken to the park gate, where they will start trekking to Machme Hut, the first camp on Kilimanjaro. Pole, Pole! is the phrase the local staff use when encouraging the team to take things easy and not rush when climbing at altitude. Dave recommended keeping at the pace of the tortoise below...

6th September 2025 - Departure

Off they go!!!