My Journey to Kilimanjaro with StrongMen
This year, I’m setting out on a journey to climb to the summit of Kilimanjaro, the highest peak in Africa, and an effort to bring awareness and support to StrongMen, a charity dedicated to helping men struggling with grief.
Some of you who have worked with or know me will know my connection with the StrongMen charity. You can read more about how my StrongMen journey started here. They helped me reset and find my purpose again after losing my baby daughter Scarlett, more recently, my mum passing away, as well as learning my paternal heredity wasn’t what I thought it was (a story for another time, but equally a mentally challenging time and deep sense of loss).
The “brotherhood” and support have been life-changing. As a result, I’m on a mission to support them, and I even volunteer for their telephone support service, Man2Man. So when the opportunity to climb Kilimanjaro to support StrongMen came up, it was a no-brainer that I would want to get involved.
This blog will be my way of sharing this journey, documenting my training with StrongMen and my personal preparation (Feel free to follow my training in Strava), and crediting all the additional support in helping us summit Kilimanjaro. More importantly, it will raise funds and awareness of the charity’s work and services.
Finally, I want to mention this challenge is self-funded – I’m paying for the trip myself. So, all donations made via the links below are going directly to the charity to support those struggling with bereavement.
How can you help? #ClimbYourMountain
Why support StrongMen?
Rather than trying to explain, below is a short film StrongMen produced, highlighting the journey through men’s grief and the ethos of the support. You can also learn more about the project, meet the rest of the Kilimanjaro team, and why and what we’re doing this for on the Kilimanjaro Support Page.
StrongMen supports men following bereavement. Grief can cause severe emotional and physical health conditions, which are often overlooked and even ignored, especially in men.
You can help StrongMen do what they do best: supporting bereaved men.
The Altitude Centre
1st June 2024
The first proper meet-up of the Kilimanjaro team was at The Altitude Centre in London, along with Mountain Girl (Anna & Martin) and The Bucket List Company, where some of us had the opportunity to experience the impact of altitude on our physiology, with tests to replicate the atmosphere at 5100 metres.
It was a fascinating experience learning about Acute mountain sickness (AMS), the symptoms and the risks involved – While I’ve been at altitude before (summited Kala Patthar 5,644M), but that was a long time ago, when I was much younger and fitter! There are no guarantees of not suffering from AMS. So, having the additional knowledge and guidance was invaluable as we each prepare for the trip.
Everyone who made the session was also provided with a detailed report and training plans to best prepare for activity at altitude.
Help me raise funds to help those struggling with bereavement
Training Weekend - Brecon Beacons (Bannau Brycheiniog)
21st-22nd June 2024
We had our first official (fantastic) training weekend in the Brecon Beacons (Bannau Brycheiniog), with the brilliant The Mountain Girl team guiding us and putting us through our paces across the South Wales mountains.
We didn’t have the altitude of Kilimanjaro, but it at least gave me an idea of how much walking we would need to do each day in Tanzania. Plus, It allowed us to see our fitness levels and what I should be working on fitness-wise to prepare for October.
The weather was definitely on our side (not always an option in Wales!), and we had perfect walking conditions. Plus, of course, plenty of banter, laughs, a few beers and a curry (Amazing job, Nick!) on Saturday night. All are very much a part of the StrongMen Ethos- Of healthy activity and a healthy mindset.
360 Photography - Sugar Loaf Summit
Lesson from the weekend
Boots – While there’s still life in my existing walking boots, they were starting to look a little tired. I also noticed that over the years, there was some additional “wiggle” room around my toes, which had the effect of rubbing and bashing my toes on the descent portions of the hike. While this would be fine on an occasional and short walk – The thought of several days back-to-back hiking up a mountain, I decided to treat myself with an upgrade – The last thing I want on Kilimanjaro would be to have bad feet!
After some research and a recommendation, I treated myself to a new pair of Lowa GTX Renegade boots. Let’s see how they perform during the next bit of training!
StrongMen 5-Year Anniversary Weekend - Edale Peak District
5th July-7th of July 2024
While not strictly a training weekend for Kilimanjaro, there was an element of getting into the hills to celebrate the 5th year anniversary since the StrongMen became a registered charity.
This was an opportunity for the StrongMen team and benefactors, past and present, to come together to celebrate the growing support and success built over the years since the charity’s early days. It was a time to reflect, catch up with old friends, and forge new friendships over a weekend of fresh air and camaraderie, with an emphasis on open space and physical (and positive mental) health.
Saturday kicked off with an alfresco-cooked breakfast provided by the excellent Mountain Girl team, setting the stage for a day of hiking across the beautiful Peak District. Splitting into two groups, some went for a slightly more challenging route via Jacobs ladder and around Kinder Scout, with the other group covering a route across Mam Tor.
I chose the Jacobs ladder route as 1) I’d never been there before and 2) it was an opportunity to train for Kilimanjaro!
While the weather started out lovely, it decided to turn against us by midday, with cold wind and plenty of rain. It didn’t feel like July weather—more like October weather!
It was pretty gnarly a few times, especially where it was boggy. However, we had the excellent Jack from the Mountain Girl team with us, who ensured everyone made it down safely.
I have to say I LOVE my new Lower Renegade walking boots – After the last training weekend, it was clear that I needed to update my existing boots (OK, it was also about treating myself, too); while there was nothing wrong with the old pair, they were getting a little worn around the edges, and my feet did suffer a bit – However these new boots are great – Despite the bog and all the rain, my feet were comfortable and dry throughout!
We had another lovely breakfast on Sunday, followed by several activities, including Archery (Wolfman fitness), Axe throwing (Mountain Girl), and Breathwork (Peter from StrongMen). Thus, another fantastic StrongMen weekend was concluded!
You're not only supporting men you're supporting the positive knock on effect to family and friends
Family Summer Holiday!
1st August - 7th of August 2024
So, while not exactly a training session for Kilimanjaro, I managed to get in several small hikes around The Great Wood near Battle (East Sussex) with my son, Harry, while on our summer camping holiday!
Harry asked me to add that he’s a massive fan of the TV series SAS Who Dares Wins! – Mark Billy Billingham is his favourite! 😂
It was nothing particularly difficult, but I made a point of concentrating on nose breathing in and out (even on the more challenging inclines) as recommended by Peter’s breathwork advice rather than breathing in from the nose and out through the mouth , which did make it a bit more effort than usual.
Anyway, we had a lovely holiday with great weather, and we got a little bit of training, too. Not only that it was also my birthday, and I was very lucky to get some new ‘hiking’ and Kilimanjaro-inspired presents (More about the kit I’m taking coming soon!)
Harry's Haircut!
9th August 2024
Here is the result!
13th of August 2024
What a lovely surprise today the post was! Harry received a card from Efrem Brynin, the CEO and co-founder of the StrongMen charity, with a personal thank you for his fundraising efforts! It made his day and mine! Thank you! 🙏🏽
The Before and Afters!
Thank You!
27th September 2024 (Update)
I shared that my son Harry had raised money for the StrongMen charity to support the charity alongside our climb of Kilimanjaro next week. When the Bexley News Shopper interviewed me about my story, I casually mentioned that Harry had shaved his head, and they asked if they could run a story about him, too! Harry agreed that if sharing the story could raise further awareness and donations for StrongMen, then it would be worth it.
Sam Baker's Story.
30th August 2024
I'm in the Press!
7th September 2024
A special thank you to my friend Christina of Bowden PR, who reached out to several of her contacts in the world of PR and news and gave me some advice about sharing my story about StrongMen and why I’m climbing Kilimanjaro. A day later, journalist and features writer Cally Brooks from the Daily Mirror contacted me for a short interview about how StrongMen has supported me and the challenge.
Please take a moment to read the published story
Further to the article above, I was also interviewed by my local newspaper, News Shopper, which also published an article about my story and the challenge. – News Shopper Story, which was picked up in Yahoo News, too!
Wet & Windy!
21st September 2024
In typical South Wales, Brecon Beacons weather (for StrongMen, at least 😉) was wet and windy for the final meet-up and training session before Kilimanjaro!
A chance to exchange the final bits of equipment (more about that coming soon) and a quick “There and back again” to the top of Pen-y-Fan from Pont ar Daf Car Park and unveiling the StrongMen Kilimanjaro flag.
Note to self: While my boots are waterproof, wearing shorts so the rain runs down my legs and soaks into the tops of my socks isn’t necessarily the sensible thing to do 🤷🏽♂️🤦🏽♂️ – Still had a great time though!
A Kit list video!
30th September 2024
While we’ve had lots of advice from the Bucket List Company about what to bring, for a bit of fun, I wanted to create a “kit list” video with my thoughts and questions about what I should take and how I should pack for Kilimanjaro.
It was also a way of “kickstarting” and developing the habit of recording my video blog of the trip!
The Journey Begins
3rd October 2024
The excitement is beyond words – We are off!
Day 1 - Kilimanjario Marangu Gate to Mandara Hut
6th October 2024
The first day of the trekking begins. Starting at the Kilimanjaro National Park Marangu Gate and hiking to Mandara Hut – 2720M
Day 2 - Mandara Hut to Horombo Hut
7th October 2024
The second day of the trekking gaining 1000 metres between Mandara Hut to Horombo Hut (3720m)
Day 3 - Acclimatisation day and Zebra Rocks
8th October 2024
A chance to relax and get used to the altitude with a morning hike to Zebra Rocks (4020m) and back to Horombo Hut for another night.
A Spiritual Evening - Coming Soon
I’m not religious in the slightest. But something happened this evening that I’m struggling to put into words – Those who were there will know and understand it – probably the most meaningful and spiritual event during the trip. When I can find the words to describe it, I will. 🙏🏽
9th October 2024
Day 4 & Day 5 are the same day!
The next couple of days roll into one very long day, combining the trek from Horombo Hut to Kibo Hut with only a few hours of rest before starting Summit (Night) Day.
More details coming Soon!
10th October 2024
Day 5 - Summit Day
As already mentioned, day four rolls into day 5 and the final push to summit all three peaks of Kilimanjaro and the decent – More details to follow.
Gilman's Point Summit - Kilimanjaro 2024
Stella Point Summit - Kilimanjaro 2024
Uhuru Peak Summit 5895m - Worlds Highest Free Standing Mountain - Mount Kilimanjaro
I did it!
The Descent
7th February 2025
The Documentary
Watch this amazing record of the trip!
Thank you for your contributions.
Some notable mentions and thank you for supporting businesses that have contributed to the climb and are helping StrongMen support those who need it.
If you’re a business and you make a donation and let me know, I will create a backlink to your website from this page to your website as a thank you! 🙏🏽
