THE CHALLENGE OF KILIMANJARO

Benji - a Canine’s Recollections of his Master’s Training and Preparation
For the Challenge of a Lifetime

Firstly, may I begin by extending a warm welcome to you for reading this and thank you for the wonderful support you provide NORSACA each and every year. Please allow me to introduce myself – my name is Benji and I am going to be your correspondent for the next few months, recounting the experiences of my master, Phil Carpenter, as he trains and prepares to climb Kilimanjaro – we are both in the photo opposite (I’m the good looking one!)

Phil has worked for NORSACA for almost six years and at the beginning of this year he decided he wanted to give something back to the Society, hence the decision to climb Kilimanjaro – personally I think he’s mad but I know it’s for such a worthy cause that he can be forgiven for this moment of madness.

Anyway, back to why I’m writing and that’s to let you all know how Phil’s training and preparations are proceeding. Phil began his training at the end of April – he joined the local gym where he spends up to two hours a day, three to five times a week. There he jogs, cycles, rows and swims his way to exhaustion but it is having a beneficial impact – in the first three weeks he lost seven kilograms in weight!

However, in mid-May disaster struck – while attending a conference in Glasgow, he severely injured his left calf muscle. Fortunately (or unfortunately, depending on how you view these things) he was not in the hotel bar but rather its gym facilities when the injury occurred. The gym sessions had to be curtailed for almost a week but it meant that my daily walks were lengthened so as to compensate for the lack of gym sessions.

At the end of May, Phil increased his preparation by going on a family holiday to Cornwall (I went too but that’s a different story!). Although a very relaxing holiday, it was set in a forested valley with very steep climbs and walks of several miles in quite arduous conditions - particularly on the Wednesday when the rain was continual and heavy, and Phil got us lost. It was a good job I didn’t have a clue where we were going – I’d have panicked if I’d realised just how lost we were. Fortunately, Phil eventually managed to get us back on the right track but I hope he’s not expected to navigate up Kilimanjaro – we’ll never see him again!!

We both highly recommend the dog-friendly accommodation from the holiday (Woodlay Holidays - 01503 220221) and the owners, Paul and Hilary, were kind enough to make a donation.

Talking of donations, Phil needs to raise at least £3,500 by mid-November and he has already passed the £1,000 mark. If you are interested in making a donation, then please visit his webpage at: http://www.bmycharity.com/NORSACAkilimanjaro where all donations will be gratefully received and acknowledged by Phil.

Now it’s time to sign off (I think he wants to go on another walk!!) but do not fret, I’ll be back to keep you updated.

Best Wishes,

Benji


P.S. You can also read my second and third reports on Phil's training!