In the Shadow of Kilimanjaro
Anthony's mom mentioned this article to me and suggested that I post it on my blog. Just a reminder that although our Kilimanjaro trip will be loads of fun, climbing the mountain can be deadly. I am posting the leader article because I believe that Anthony's mom is correct in her thinking, we must not go into this adventure thinking that it will be a walk in the park, we need to be fit and prepared! Also, as it turns out - Richard did some consulting work for our firm and his brother still works with us - brings things a bit closer to home doesn't it?
In the shadow of KilimanjaroIssue: February 2006
It is the 'it' thing to do. Each year, to mark significant milestones, to find themselves or just to celebrate life, 25 000 climbers flock to Kilimanjaro. But few people know enough about the dangers of climbing this 5 895m-high mountain. It is not just a case of huffing and puffing your way through altitude sickness.
If Richard Woods, loving husband, devoted father, and man with adventure in his soul, knew the real risks of undertaking the trip of a lifetime, would he have gone? That's the question his wife, Sandy, mother of his two young sons, asks over and over – ever since that day in August 2003 when Mount Kilimanjaro claimed her husband's life. She relates the events that led to his untimely death – in a small yellow domed tent, stranded and helpless in the hostile and bleak landscape of Shira camp, 3 800m above sea level – with a sense of terror tinged with unutterable sadness.
'Although Richard would have maintained that it was always his choice in the end, he would have wanted me to warn people who might be thinking of going up Kili to know that there is a dark side to this adventure. If it saves another life, then we will have achieved something.'
A year before the climb, the dream of scaling Mount Kilimanjaro became a thrilling reality for Richard, his brother and close friends. 'Nearing his 40th birthday, he wanted to do something memorable to celebrate his love of life. So when his brother and friends suggested that they should climb the mountain, it was a challenge he could not resist,' says Sandy.
'Richard was always a caring family man who would never have knowingly risked his life. He was well aware of the dangers of altitude sickness and had researched the subject thoroughly beforehand. Everything was carefully planned, and by the time the group was ready to leave from Cape Town, they had reached a peak of fitness that in everybody's view – including the doctors monitoring their health – was more than adequate.'
In retrospect, there might have been an advantage in doing high-altitude training, particularly as Richard was from a sea-level area. However, this aspect of their preparation was not seen as critical.
'When I said goodbye to Richard he was in fine spirits, so looking forward to fulfilling his dream. Not for one minute did it occur to me that as Richard and I hugged and kissed farewell, this would be the last time we would be with each other.'
Also in the group were Richard's older brother, Peter, and his best friend, Graham Booysen. 'We had chosen the Machame route to the summit, as it was considered the most scenic,' says Peter. 'The first day, through the rainforest to the Machame hut, was magnificent and Richard appeared to be coping fine.'
On the second day, the group reached Shira camp, situated on a rocky plateau at an altitude of 3 800m. This is where many climbers start to experience headaches and breathing problems associated with a lack of oxygen in the bloodstream, which, although uncomfortable, is seldom life-threatening.
Graham shared a tent with Richard. 'During the night I woke up to hear Woody wheezing and battling for breath,' Graham says. 'I watched him throughout the night. He had a throaty, wet cough and slept fitfully. At 5am I tried to wake him. When he didn't respond I alerted the guide, who said we had to get him to a lower altitude as quickly as possible.'
But it wasn't that easy: They didn't have mountain-rescue stretchers (special carrying equipment with wheels used by the porters to take climbers to safer altitudes), and it is not physically possible to carry a person down the mountain at that altitude. Richard's condition was deteriorating.
Read more in the February 2006 issue of Fairlady
In the shadow of KilimanjaroIssue: February 2006
It is the 'it' thing to do. Each year, to mark significant milestones, to find themselves or just to celebrate life, 25 000 climbers flock to Kilimanjaro. But few people know enough about the dangers of climbing this 5 895m-high mountain. It is not just a case of huffing and puffing your way through altitude sickness.
If Richard Woods, loving husband, devoted father, and man with adventure in his soul, knew the real risks of undertaking the trip of a lifetime, would he have gone? That's the question his wife, Sandy, mother of his two young sons, asks over and over – ever since that day in August 2003 when Mount Kilimanjaro claimed her husband's life. She relates the events that led to his untimely death – in a small yellow domed tent, stranded and helpless in the hostile and bleak landscape of Shira camp, 3 800m above sea level – with a sense of terror tinged with unutterable sadness.
'Although Richard would have maintained that it was always his choice in the end, he would have wanted me to warn people who might be thinking of going up Kili to know that there is a dark side to this adventure. If it saves another life, then we will have achieved something.'
A year before the climb, the dream of scaling Mount Kilimanjaro became a thrilling reality for Richard, his brother and close friends. 'Nearing his 40th birthday, he wanted to do something memorable to celebrate his love of life. So when his brother and friends suggested that they should climb the mountain, it was a challenge he could not resist,' says Sandy.
'Richard was always a caring family man who would never have knowingly risked his life. He was well aware of the dangers of altitude sickness and had researched the subject thoroughly beforehand. Everything was carefully planned, and by the time the group was ready to leave from Cape Town, they had reached a peak of fitness that in everybody's view – including the doctors monitoring their health – was more than adequate.'
In retrospect, there might have been an advantage in doing high-altitude training, particularly as Richard was from a sea-level area. However, this aspect of their preparation was not seen as critical.
'When I said goodbye to Richard he was in fine spirits, so looking forward to fulfilling his dream. Not for one minute did it occur to me that as Richard and I hugged and kissed farewell, this would be the last time we would be with each other.'
Also in the group were Richard's older brother, Peter, and his best friend, Graham Booysen. 'We had chosen the Machame route to the summit, as it was considered the most scenic,' says Peter. 'The first day, through the rainforest to the Machame hut, was magnificent and Richard appeared to be coping fine.'
On the second day, the group reached Shira camp, situated on a rocky plateau at an altitude of 3 800m. This is where many climbers start to experience headaches and breathing problems associated with a lack of oxygen in the bloodstream, which, although uncomfortable, is seldom life-threatening.
Graham shared a tent with Richard. 'During the night I woke up to hear Woody wheezing and battling for breath,' Graham says. 'I watched him throughout the night. He had a throaty, wet cough and slept fitfully. At 5am I tried to wake him. When he didn't respond I alerted the guide, who said we had to get him to a lower altitude as quickly as possible.'
But it wasn't that easy: They didn't have mountain-rescue stretchers (special carrying equipment with wheels used by the porters to take climbers to safer altitudes), and it is not physically possible to carry a person down the mountain at that altitude. Richard's condition was deteriorating.
Read more in the February 2006 issue of Fairlady
posted by Sandra Ackland at 1:15 AM
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