So the Ageing Hipster's 50th came, and with it a bunch of Kili related prezzies. What a great idea to plan an adventure that needs equipment as you approach this particular milestone. Everyone wants to get you something, and you have a ready made wish list. So much better than socks and a cardie - although a pair of socks did make it into the swag bag. But not any old pair, oh no - proper moutaineering ones, engineered New Zealand. Along with a bag of all day breakfast specially formulated for high altitude.
"Thanks for the socks and de-hydrated food" I say to Miss SD
"You're welcome, you bastard" comes the reply.
My favourite niece and her kids weighed in with a Camelpack - a 3.5 litre bag that holds your water and straps onto the back of the daypack. And it's got an insulated straw so the water doesn't freeze. Nice one guys!
The large but lightweight box from brother and nephew in Honk Kong (that tantalisingly arrived a week early) was torn apart on the big day to reveal a most excellent rucksack - complete with compass. And, magically the Camelpack fits it perfectly. Couldn't have worked out better if they'd tried.
Gooner D spoiled me rotten - and amongst the booty was a strap-on-the-head lamp thing. Perfect for the final ascent, which is due to start at midnight (unless we miraculously all get super-fit, in which case it starts at half past midnight).
And this particular headlamp is brilliant. It has a filter, so you can have focused or wide beam, three energy settings (called high, medium and low by the manufacturers, disproving the notion that Germans lack imagination), and an option for it to flash SOS - bloody marvelous, but let's hope we don't need that.
And last, but by no means least, a Times Concise Atlas of the World from the Backspins. This particular edition has a small mark in the middle of Tanzania on the flyleaf. Four months to go and this is getting very exciting.
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