Two directors from Savills’ Guildford office have climbed Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest freestanding mountain in the world.
Ian Fowler, development director (pictured left) and Alastair Mercer, residential director (right), took on the 5,895-metre trek up the Machame route over the course of six days, reaching the summit at 9am on September 11.
The route, covering a total distance of around 65km, is known for its scenery and diverse ecosystems, through rainforests, traverse alpine deserts and finally reaching the glaciers at the summit.
The Machame route includes the infamous 257-metre high Barranco Wall on the side of Mount Kilimanjaro. The duo said the most challenging of days was summit night, known to be the longest and toughest 24 hours of the trip.
Ascending from 3,500m – 4,000m, they faced a sharp drop in temperature and over night it was around down to – 18 degrees with wind chill. The lower slopes at night were well below freezing, with temperatures of minus five degrees most nights and ice on the tent in the mornings.
Ian Fowler said: “This trip has been one of the biggest achievements and a trip of a lifetime; it was physically demanding but great fun at the same time.
“Being fit helps but it is easy to underestimate the level of mental strength that you need to complete this trek. It was an amazing adventure and I would recommend to anyone to give it a go.”
The challenge has raised more than £5,000 for the PTA at Ian’s daughter’s primary school, which will help fund a new playground.
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