The Kilimanjaro Challenge

Climbing all 5895 metres (19,341 feet) of mighty Mount Kilimanjaro in Africa is not like a stroll up Fife's East Lomond Hill. That was made crystal clear as to admiring members as Past President Bill Stewart matter of factly gave graphic account of how Bill and Mairead Stewart, Ken and Sue Stahly and Club President Iain Taylor triumphed in the Mount Kilimanjaro Challenge in company with friend Trevor Francis; and backed up by no fewer than 23 Swahili speaking porters and 3 guides.

After demanding days of climbing to the base camp for the final ascent from 4715m; the 'Rotary' team kitted up in freezing temperatures and set of on the final leg at 10.30 p.m. for a night long climb to Gilman's Pt at 5685m, with a 90 minute upwards slog from there to reach Uhuru Pt on the summit close on noon. The challenge of coping with altitude change took its toll on everyone but once at the summit, the sense of achievement is forever etched within this intrepid quintet. With further feed back yet to come on subsequent Rotary project work undertaken by club members and others in Tanzania now funded around the