What made you decide that you wanted to climb the highest mountain in Africa?
I got tired of not achieving anything and being stuck in a dead end job. My brother and myself have always been interested in mountain climbing so decided to do something big. This was the most adventurous thing we could think of doing at the time.
Had you done anything like it before?
I had done the National Three Peak challenge here in the UK but it was nothing in comparison to this.
What did it feel like being part of Rolfe’s 50th Kilimanjaro summit?
It was a good experience as we felt a great sense of achievement reaching the summit with 100% success on his 50th. Just a shame we couldn’t crack open the champagne on the summit due to the severe weather.
Aside from climbing mountains, what are we most likely to find you doing?
You’d either find me in the gym, down the pub or stacking the shelves at Sainsbury’s.
What’s your next big adventure?
I will be heading to Aneto in June and Aconcangua in November, both with Rolfe. I am looking forward to the more self reliant expedition of Aconcagua. This will be our second of the seven summits, with the hope of ticking more off over the next few years.
If you had an unlimited budget and time for an adventure, what would you do?
There are too many adventures to list but the main ones would have to be scaling the seven summits and reaching both poles. Let’s just hope we hit the jackpot on the Euromillions as soon as.
What was the hardest thing about climbing Kilimanjaro?
Eating millet porridge
What was the best moment on Kilimanjaro?
The best moment has to be all of us reaching the summit in tough conditions, especially as we were the first to summit!
What did you miss most while you were on the mountain?
Being a picky eater I’d have to say the thing I missed the most was the food I am use to eating at home.
Have you got a favourite quote from the trip?
“Pain is temporary, glory is forever and chicks dig scars!”
What would be your top piece of advice for someone who is thinking about embarking on their first adventure?
Plan properly and train hard so you can enjoy it more. Also don’t forget to take a pee bottle, nothing worse than waking up in the night and having to get dressed while it is freezing cold and raining . I made this mistake.
Do you have a favourite piece of kit?
That would have to be a good sleeping bag. It felt good to be able to get in a nice and warm sleeping bag for a good nights sleep while it is freezing outside.
If you could have one superpower what would it be and why?
The ability to fly, it would be good to be able to fly to the summit and back and be in the pub by lunch.