WITH our autumn schedule well on its way, our second meeting welcomed Chris and Bryan Barber with slides and a talk about climbing Mount Kilimanjaro.

Alcester people will remember Chris Barber (McCarthy) from working many years at Alcester High School and a former member of our club.

All preparation for the climb started in Morocco. The rough terrain drive took two hours to first camp.

With unstable footing and the high altitude sickness the climb was very stressful for some of the party.

Each member had three porters carrying 20 kilos of luggage per person, this included food, water, bedding, tents, everything needed for the trek. The average water consumed daily was three litres.

It was an early morning rise because everything had to be packed away for the next push, so breakfast was always eaten outside. The food was good.

Washing facilities were very basic, the lavatory (the big drop) was a portable shed with a hole in the ground.

Bedtime was usually at 8pm as everyone was shattered and ready for bed.

The last push took seven hours with temperatures plummeting to minus 16.

On reaching the summit a photograph was taken and back at base a shampoo was a welcome treat for hair after 10 days.

It was a good turn out for this meeting and we welcomed two new visitors.