Jacqui Thompson:
10 Oct - Summit night

At  12.05 am we leave Barafu Ridge Camp. I’m wearing three pairs of socks, long johns, insulated trousers and my waterproof trousers on top, two long sleeve base-layers, an insulated base-layer, a fleece top, a Choktoi jacket and my down jacket, gloves with mountain mittens, a balaclava and beanie hat [...]

Jacqui Thompson:
 

Day 7: Fri 9 Oct 

 
We take the traverse route to Barafu Ridge Camp.
 
I wake up early feeling really guilty. I have been coughing for the last couple of nights but not as bad as last night and I must have kept poor Jana and Charlie awake. I don’t know what I would do without them. [...]

Jacqui Thompson:

Day 6: Thu 8 Oct  
 
We climb up Barranco Wall to Karanga Valley Camp.
 
I feel worse today and my voice has gone completely. I am so excited about climbing Barranco wall. It is steep and challenging and I know that, if I can do this, I can get to the top of Kilimanjaro. My cough completely takes [...]

Jacqui Thompson:
 
Day 5: Wed 7 Oct 
 
We trek seven to eight hours to camp at Barranco Wall.  
 
I have woken up feeling really, really poorly. My throat is really sore and I have a bad cough. I don’t complain, but everyone can hear my cough, and my voice is affected. I am still enjoying the walk, but my [...]

Jacqui Thompson:
 
Day 4: Tue 6 Oct 
 
Trek Northwest Flank to Moir Hut.
 
This will be our highest point to camp at 4600 metres.
Again the scenery for the walk is different. I can’t believe how quickly I’ve adapted to my new way of life. I am enjoying every minute and I realise that I am happy. I’ve not [...]

Jacqui Thompson:
 
Day 3: Mon 5 Oct 
 
I’m getting into the routine much better: I wake between five am and six am. This morning Jana, Charlie and I sit up in our sleeping bags in the freezing cold, looking out of our tent, watching the sun rise. It is amazing and I feel so blessed to be here. [...]

Jacqui Thompson:
 
Day 2: Sun 4 Oct
 
I don’t sleep much but at least manage to stay dry with all the layers I have on. We have breakfast in our waterproofs because all the chairs are soaked. We start our seven to eight hour trek to camp ‘Shira One’.
 
 
As we walk we notice the dark clouds [...]

Jacqui’s husband Gary was an RAF Regiment soldier, killed in Afghanistan when his patrol vehicle hit a roadside bomb. After his death, the RAF Benevolent Fund was able to provide Jacqui and the couple’s five daughters with a grant to help them through the difficult time.
When Gary’s cousin suggested Jacqui join her in a climb of Mount [...]