Russell climbs a mountain 

Supporter Russell Soden took on the incredible challenge of climbing Kilimanjaro for FSID. We interviewed him to find out how it went. 


How did you train for the trip?
We were given a 16-week schedule to build up to the climb but as I have a different lifestyle from most I made up my own. I did walks in May, June and July in the boots I was going to wear with a small backpack, and I varied the terrain to get used to the different surfaces I would encounter on Kilimanjaro; ie. road-walking, walking along the beach in the sand (bloody hard in the sun), and trekking up in the mountains near where I live. I could not do anything in August as I was far too busy and the heat was too intense (I live in southern Spain) but as I was dancing for five hours every night in the bar where I work I took that as pretty good training! In September I did much longer walks, three hours in the sand in my boots in hot weather and then towards the end of the month I stopped to prevent a potential injury before the trek. 


How did you find the trek?
Overall it was harder than I had imagined and I was surprised that I managed it quite comfortably. I had no need for blood-thinning tablets (which help get oxygen into the system) whereas quite a few of the others were taking all kinds of stuff. When we got to about 5,500 meters I felt a little bit dizzy so I did take a Nurofen, but that was it! 


What was the best part of the trip and why?
The best part of the trip was getting to the top - it was an overwhelming sense of achievement. Another amazing moment was seeing the sun rise from above the clouds. But getting to know the other trekkers along the way (some have been out to see me a few times already) was a big part too. And of course there was getting down in one piece! 


What was the hardest part of the trip?
The hardest part of the trip was the midnight ascent to the top. You have already walked for five days (the last day being 12-13 hrs), you eat, no time to sleep, and you have to get up at midnight. It is freezing cold, pitch black, all you have is your head torch and you walk really slowly because of altitude. It is mentally tough to keep going and that takes about 7-8 hours - definitely no picnic. 


How did the others find it?
That last stretch was sadly where a few people’s challenge ended as altitude sickness took over and they had to be rushed back to camp. I was lucky enough to be comfortable in my climb so I have massive respect for the ones that battled their way to the top, some arriving two hours after me on their last legs.

How did you fundraise the money?
I had a couple of gala dinners where I took a percentage of the bar and ticket price and I held raffles. I also did a sponsored climb with 28 others up a mountain here called La Concha. I ran a book on how many steps it would take me to get to the top which did well. I was also sponsored 10,000 euros by a very generous contact of mine.

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What would you say to someone considering this challenge?
I would tell everyone to do it as it is one hell of an amazing experience. It is tough but rewarding and something you will never, ever forget. 


We would like to thank Russell for his fantastic achievement for FSID in memory of his daughter Coral. 



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