Douglas and Ruxton McClure

Two new guys have joined our team! The newbies are not part of the scout group but have joined us through Adventure Africa (the guiding company). They are a father and son team and I thought it might be nice to add a bit of info about them to the blog. I'll put up some photo's as soon as I get them. hint hint.

DOUGLAS HOBART MCCLURE:

“I am a retired 53 year old who spent ten years in radio and television after lecturing at Wits and UCT in international relations and strategic studies. Prior to retiring in 2000 I worked for ten years at Cabinet level in the Ministry of Public Enterprises of the SA government on the constitutional negotiating transition team for the new South Africa, the declassification of the atomic bomb and inter-continental ballistic missile programmes, the establishment of Denel and the weapons procurement project for the post-1994 SA government. Although retired I lecture occasionally on Al Qaeda, the international environment and related topics of international interest. In July last year my son, Ruxton, my wife, Fiona and I joined a team of Bishops boys who climbed Kilimanjaro, a project in which they succeeded and I failed. This time the outcome will be different.”

RUXTON MCCLURE:

“Howzit going all?!? I’m nineteen years old. I went to Bishops for several years, matriculating in ’05. Whilst at Bishops I became captain of rock climbing and captain of fencing. After school I spent a year working in a game reserve in Limpopo, and also temporarily working at the Kruger Park Times, a conservation-related newspaper. I won a small scholarship to UCT, which I will begin attending this year (2007), studying Politics, Philosophy, and Economics. I love climbing, formula one, rugby, writing, poetry, music, and my exceptionally beautiful and wonderful girlfriend, Eleana.

I’ve had a love affair with mountains for years. I cannot explain the attraction; at times it seems chronically masochistic! I suppose more than anything I love great beauty, and to me the most beautiful objects on this earth are the unspoilt, untarnished rocks of ages that are barely disturbed by both Time and Man. To journey to the tips of these peaks is representative of Man’s eternal struggle to better himself, and all life around him. I’ve already climbed Kilimanjaro once, and loved the experience. My father unfortunately didn’t make it to the summit, and on this – his second attempt – I’m accompanying him to give moral support.”

The Birth of a Name

Once upon a time on a drunk and dreary night (for some of the team anyway) in a little stone cottage in the Cederberg. A small team of adventurous souls went about there business of settling down for the night, Mr Minimalist man (well known for his motto "sharing is caring") was at his sherry filled best. Dr Livingston (excited at the prospect of leading an expedition to the little known Pillars of Cederberg) and the soon to be christened Tanie sonder panty where busy with their usual evening meal of steak and other finery.

Mavis tucked into some Camembert and wine, and some how or another the conversation turned to boots. Mr Minimalist declared his Merrel's the best buy of the century and all of a sudden the talk disintegrated to a have and have not conversation - to have Vibram soles or not to have Vibram soles - that was the question! At some point during the evening Vibram became vibrant and soles became souls and our team had a name!

The rest of the evening got a bit blurry from there onwards. Mavis regretted his little cheese and wine:

The next day Dr Livingston was abandoned by his team while searching for the pillars. I will always remember the sound of Kerry's voice traveling to us across the valley as we sat in the sun waiting for our leader to return; "Thomas the frigging co-ordinates are wrong......"

" Isn't Zen navigation wonderful?

Tarryn Rudnick

Hi all. My name is Tarryn Rudnick, and I'm a scout at the 1st Hermanus Sea Scout Troop (yes, I'm the one in the pic - no, not that one, the one on the right!). My connection with the Kili team is through Thomas and the 3rd Pinelands Scout Troop - my only connection with them is the fact that I was randomly placed in their hiking team on a scout adventure 2 years ago, and they haven't managed to shake me off yet...

Why do I want to climb Kili? It's something that's been at the back of my mind for years, along with the dream of kayaking around Madagascar and walking the Cape to Cairo. It must be a combination of my love of mountains and hiking, my passion for the outdoors, and my absolute inability to back down from a challenge that causes me to do the crazy things I do...

Anyway, when I heard at the beginning of the year that Thomas was getting a team together to climb Kili, I was immediately interested...who wouldn't be? It's the opportunity of a lifetime, to do something awesome and see amazing places and things. But after several long discussions, my mom convinced me that it just wouldn't be possible for me to join the team. Maybe one day, when I'm older (and earning my own cash....).

Nevertheless, I followed the team on as many of the training hikes as I could, simply for the love of hiking with a great bunch of people, all as crazy as me. Very lucky... because on my birthday, a full 7 months after I'd tried to sign up, my mom broke the news to me - I was on the team! (And had been since the beginning). Thereafter followed a mad rush to gather equipment, but I've pretty much got that sorted.

I'm not sure the fact that I'm going to climb Kilimanjaro has really sunk in yet - no doubt it'll hit me as the plane takes off for Tanzania! In any case, I can't wait for what I know is going to be one of the most amazing experiences of my life!

Andrew Mason

Hi, I'm Andrew; that's me standing at the top of the Glacier de Grande Motte in Tignes in the Frech Alps where I went snowboarding earlier this year (please don't tell my Mom I was standing next to the crevace.) I was a Scout at Third Pinelands until the begining of 2000 when I moved to London where I am still living. I absolutely love it in London but there is a distinct lack of mountains to climb so I thought I'd try Kili instead!

There are three reasons for me being so keen to climb Kilimanjaro; the first is that, like Thomas, my Father climbed Kili about 27 years ago and it turns out we will be doing the same root he did, so I will literally be following in my Fathers footsteps.

Secondly I was born in Zambia but we left for SA when I was three and a half and I have never been back to central(ish) Africa since.

And thirdly no-one else on my photography course will have a picture in their portfolio of the sun rising over Africa taken from the top of Kilimajaro.

I am looking forward to meeting the rest of the team in January and I would like to thank Thomas for all his hard work in organising the trip and Sandra for setting up the blog.

P.S. Although I grew up in SA I will officially be representing England on this expedition (and I don't care how rubbish we were in the rugby last week we're still World Champions)

Neil Puntis

Hi all you vibrant souls.
My name is Neil Puntis and I'm a Vaalie!
I am the one from Joburg that no one has met, well except Ian who is married to my cousin.
I was fortunate enough to be cycling the Argus in March when Ian invited me to join you guys (and girls) up Kili after a few drinks in the very bar where you all will be on Friday!
I am 31years old and have been in a relationship with Debbie for 8 years and we have a six year old daughter, Jennifer, together.
I'm a horticulturist and run my own indigenous landscaping company. I have always been a nature boy and even had dreams of becoming a Game Ranger when I was growing up. I'm an avid bird watcher, and Africa is in my blood .Kilimanjaro has always fascinated me and I always knew that one day I would climb it.
In September I fulfilled another of my life long dreams when I went with friends into the Okavango Delta.

I'm grateful for this opportunity and glad I'm going with such an enthusiastic bunch. Cant wait to meet you all on the mountain...

Darren Erasmus

This is my Matric dance photo and the only time you will ever see me in a suit!

I am 18 years old and have just finished Matric – hopefully I have passed! I love the outdoors and enjoy hiking, running, scouting, water skiing, karate and archery. I am a Springbok Scout and belong to the 1st Bothasig Scout Group. The reason I want to go up Kilimanjaro is :

It’s a new year which means new challenges to face. Why not start with something like Kilimanjaro, who knows what the rest of the year will bring! When I first heard about it I was not that convinced but when I saw some pictures I was instantly hooked!!! It’s something I want to do and besides it’s an opportunity that I can’t pass up… =) I enjoy challenges!

Alvin Hirner

Here's a pic of me in the Alps lin Jan this year ( far right ) . My son Felix is in front of me ..

Life always presents moments when we're called to make choices ... I'm learning to trust my gut feel more and more ..
I've known Michael and Thomas since before we went to school ... our parents used to hang out together ...
Allthough we don't regularly see each other , every now and then we bump into each other ....
Like after your wet and cold Swellendam trip .... we walked into each other at the airport ... my friends flight had been delayed by over 2 hrs !!
So , we were clearly destined to meet ! He told me about Kili ... I told him that I also want to do it one day ... he said theres still place ... now I've joined
the team of Nutters ... ;-)
Why ? .... why not ... since I was very young ( actually I still am !!! ) I've wanted to climb big mountains ... and i thought that Kili would be a good start to see how i do at
altitude ...
So ... I'm 38 , divorced since 5 yrs , have a 10 yr old son , Felix , who spends half the time with me ...
I design and make jewellery from my studio in Cape Town ...
coach u - 11 soccer at Felix's school ... love outdoors , cycling .. used to rock climb quite a bit ...
Am always up for exploring something new ...
I'm very excited about the trip , and especially after meeting most of you at the Braai on friday night !!!

Kerry-Ann Little

Just in case you thought I was having a good ‘talk with nature’ in a hole in the rock in the picture above. Take another look – I’ve still got my pants on!!! I guess if I was – I must be damm good cuz my pants are still clean…anyways…

I’m very lazy when I want to be, so for the past probably 6 months I haven’t written anything for the blog. Well I guess you could now call it fashionably late or something (don’t ask me about all those “chick terms” )

I’m not gonna bore you with my life history, even though there isn’t much of it because I’m only 16, but I’m alive and kicking so that’s all that matters.i’m about to get the top award in Scouting the Springbok Badge. I guess I’m just a kick ass biker chick…ok that’s a ‘LIL exaggerated, but I do ride a motorbike.

Why do I wanna climb kili… just because I can! Another reason I suppose is because of one of favourites quotes at the moment.

“Piglet sidled up to Pooh from behind.
"Pooh!" he whispered.
"Yes, Piglet?"
"Nothing," said Piglet, taking Pooh's paw. "I just wanted to be sure of you." “

I guess I just wanna make sure that its there. (you know how things can be digitally enhanced these days?)

Ok I’m starting to talk nonsense now but I suppose the rest of the team knows that always do. I better go to sleep... because it’s less than 50 sleepies til I leave!!!

Holt Okes

Hi, all you robust mountaineers , I believe we are all going to attempt Kili in the early New Year! Difficult to accept that it is only about 50 days to go and counting .

“ Life is what you make of it “ and “ You have to be a little mad to enjoy life “ depicts perhaps my feelings of why I want to go scrambling from the equator to the south pole in 5 days . It may not be the ultimate but it will satisfy my sense of adventure , particularly on the short term .

I started off many years ago as an agriculturalist with a life philosophy of wanting to feed the nation . I joined organised agriculture where I worked for 25 years in different categories of grain production from behind the wheel of a car or driving a desk , helping farmers but not farming myself , nationally from Pretoria and locally in the Eastern Cape . All very noble and frightfully professional but eventually , just not enough …

During my early forties I decided a change was called for and started to look for a suitable mountain farm in the Boland . This took 7 years to accomplish but suddenly I was back on a farm with vineyards , mountains and fynbos … and strangely enough a hiking trail . Without first dreaming about it , I would not have recognised the opportunity when it came by and would perhaps have stayed on the sideline instead of trying to run with the ball .



Over the last 10 years I have spent a lot of time in the mountains …just walking , or rescuing dogs from baboons and even rescuing hikers who have fallen and hurt themselves , or any other damn thing , but always looking at flowers . Often I have joined the hikers at their fire and talking late into the night, discussed their various feats ….and perhaps the one that has attracted me the most and was always the most awesome was Kili .

When Thomas phoned in March to book you guys in on the Genadendal trail for your November hike and mentioned it as a training hike for Kili , I just grabbed the opportunity and here I am .

Incidentally , I am now a wine farmer in my spare time , also farming with proteas , peaches , apricots , hikers , rearing baby ostriches , growing lavender , rose geraniums and running a few experiments with buchu for oil production just to ensure that some of the accounts are paid . I am also a very fit 59 year old widower who has a very nice/kind girlfriend and who is just mad enough to want to join you guys on this fantastic stroll in the koppies .

Mike Schrick

G’day mates. I’m Mike and I am Thomas’ younger brother. By the intro most of you will guess that I live in Australia, Perth to be exact. I didn’t take the traditional route to get here (arrived in Australia in 1999), but went via the UK. I left South Africa in 1993, spent heaps of time traveling, got the career off the ground in the UK, married in 1999 and then left for greener pastures – there is only so much bad weather a person can take. Yes, I have done ‘THE SWITCH’ and I am just as proud to call myself Australian as you guys are to call yourselves South Africans. I don’t expect everyone to understand or agree with this and no doubt it will make for some interesting conversation as we make our way up and down Kilimanjaro.

The two best aspects of this photo are the littlies. Our beautiful daughter is called Kyna (26 months) and the strapping little lad is called Keegan (5 months). Most people say that Keegan is the splitting image of me, but I’d like to think that I still have a bit more hair.

At this point I also need to mention my wonderful wife - Plum. I know that most of you will be thinking: “Why does he call her Plum?” Well, it’s quite simple…….COS THAT’S HER NAME!! Seriously though, it’s her official nickname and I’m happy to share the real story behind her name over a couple of ‘tinnies / frosties’ (read Australian for beers) when we complete our adventure January. Plum gets a medal of honour for immediately saying yes with a major stamp of approval when I floated the idea of embarking on this extremely exciting adventure. I have to do quite a bit of traveling due to business commitments (I run my own small Management Consulting Business) and without her full support I would certainly not be able to join the rest of you.

So why Kilimanjaro? Besides the age old cliché ‘because it’s there’, my reasons are very similar to those outlined by Thomas. Dad accomplished the feat many years ago and it did plant a seed. The fact that Thomas is at the centre of organising this trip makes it very logical for us to do it together.

Many thanks to Sandy for collating all the information and running the blog – really great stuff and very helpful.

Anyway, nuff of my dribble. I look forward to meeting all of you in January and for us to support each other safely up and down Kilimanjaro. It is going to be one fantastic experience.

Anthony Carr

I live in Cape Town and am a scout with the 3rd Pinelands Troop. By the time we begin our ascent up Kilimanjaro I will be 16 years old and hopefully in Grade 11. I started scouting at age 11 after we moved from Windhoek to Gordon’s Bay, joining the 1st Strand Scout Group. It was all a very new experience to me since I had not participated in Cubs, although I had done a fair bit of hiking with my uncle in Namibia. In mid 2002 we moved to Cape Town and I took up with the 3rd Pinelands Group.

I am very excited about going up Kilimanjaro and even if I don’t make it all the way to the top it will be a once in a lifetime opportunity. I have always wanted to attempt one of the higher mountains in the world, to stand on top of the world. Since I’m an African, Kilimanjaro is ideal; I’ll be on top of Africa! I want to go to Kilimanjaro as soon as possible so I will still be able to see the glaciers on top of it. At my current young age, I will be very happy to be able to go on the trip. I also want to tour around the world a bit when I’m older and I see this as a way of starting that journey. I see Kilimanjaro as a way I can test my mental and physical limits.

Adam Jack

Hi

From this photo you can tell I love the outdoors. I grew up on a farm just outside Montagu. My folks wanted a change from the bustle of the city to a more relaxed life in the country. With the mountain range on our doorstep we had plenty to keep ourselves occupied. I have 2 brothers Sam & Matthew, Sam is studying Environmental Science and Matt is in Standard 7 at Rondebosch. We returned to Cape Town in 1990. I’ve been living in Pinelands for the past 16 years. A very good friend from my school days invited me to a cub meeting and since then I’ve been involved with 3rd Pinelands Scout Group. I finished school in 1998 took a 3 month break and then joined a friend in the trade industry fitting kitchens. It wasn’t long before I applied for a course in Plumbing at Western Province Technical College and a year later opened a small business from home. Things didn’t happen as planned so I left for greener pastures.

“UK” YEAH POUNDS!!

I felt rich it lasted for 3 months until I realised that I was spending my rands, well we learn from our mistakes. Work wasn’t all that easy instead of making a fortune in Plumbing I decided to change careers and head out into the landscaping field. Well I can tell you many stories of the memorable times I spent working in St Tropez, a little paradise in the heart of Southern France. I met many interesting people in this field and took in heaps of knowledge. I met up with some old school friends on my return from the continent and headed for Wimbledon “mini SA” for 2 years. Our home was conveniently located, just around the corner was a pub etc... I joined a cricket club and through them landed a job in the Painting world, no not art… Painting council houses. Not gr8 pay but I’m one for saving. I experienced some of the most memorable times of my life met loads of interesting people and when I had to say good bye I made double sure there was enough in my bank account to return.

I was due to travel the world but my visa ran dry so I had to return to Sunny SA.

A year later lots of saving and I was back on a plane destined for my epic tour of Europe. Amsterdam to Rome by bike. No one was mad enough to join me so I went on my own. I cycled through 7 countries of which Switzerland and Northern Italy were my favourite. The Dolomites were incredible. A 3000km in just under a month and a half. If I had won the UK Lotto I would have cycled all the way home…

I look forward getting to know you all and hope that we have an enjoyable hike up Kilimanjaro!!

Adam

Chris Sutcliffe

Hi!
I chose this picture as it proves I have been in snow before! In fact those bright red ski pants are going up Kili with me! I am on top of " The Remarkables" mountains in New Zealand. But no rarefied air so guess there is a bit of training to do. (They did however have a pub that served excellent Jim Bean and cocoa cola).

My name is Chris Bean, as I am often affectionately (I hope) referred to because of the nature of my work - alias Sutcliffe. I am married to Sharon who is my partner in business and life! We have two wonderful kids, Tyler 18 yrs and Daniel 6 yrs.

I love to experience new things and like a challenge. Most of all I like the outdoors and hiking. And I do like to travel. So when Thomas suggested Kili I thought my body could do with a makeover and think it is a great idea.

We live in Fish Hoek. Sharon and I created and run an amazing bath toy manufacturing business. In fact we make the cutest bestest bath toys in the world! Our factory is in Kommetjie and so we are blessed to be able to live and work on the South Peninsula of Cape Town surrounded by the mountains and the sea. Check us out at www.thebeanpeople.co.za

Ian is Daniel's soccer coach and chairman of his pre school's governing body, upon which Sharon also serves. This is how we met. Thomas has taken me on a number of hiking trips all of which I have thoroughly enjoyed - except for the occasional farting of young scouts in a packed, closed overnight hiking trail bunkhouse! I feel the warm up hikes are part of the jorl and would like to involve my family in these as much as they are willing and able to.

How about raising some cash on the Kili trip - perhaps seeking sponsors for a successful summit? We could donate the proceeds to a worthy cause. Anybody got any thoughts or ideas on this? We certainly each are going to blow a considerable sum on the exercise and it would be good to lighten somebody's load in the process.

And well done to Sandra for getting this blog together - I think it is an excellent idea.

Thomas Schrick

Thomo in his winter hiking gear! ;-)

I'm 39, going on 40 soon and live in Kirstenhof with my wife Ondine and children Bradley (7) and Erica (4). The house is shared with 3 cats and 3 dogs. I have been working in the Printing Trade for the last 19 years and must have endured a mental block at the time when entering this crazy pressurised trade I'm in. As a great outdoor lover I'm always on the hunt for new Adventures which I share with my other passion in life - Scouting.

Why Kilimanjaro?

I believe that the seed was planted many years ago when as a youngster, I used to watch my dad's 8mm home movies. One of those movies featured his trip up Kilimanjaro (a successful one too) and it was always in the back of my mind - one day - if dad can make it so can I.

The opportunity never really presented itself as the years passed because there was never anybody who had the same desire I had to stand on the highest point in Africa. Last year I attended a business meeting and a company was present to entertain us with their products and one of them happened to be Kilmanjaro trips. This got me thinking and after a meeting with the operators I began to realise that this dormant dream of mine was months away from becoming reality. Other matters that strengthened the desire to push ahead with the trip was the fact that the Scout Group I run turns 50 in the year we will climb the mountain and Scouting worldwide turns 100. Put that together with a personal desire and the trip became more than just a dream.

I thrive on challenges and the mere fact that there is no guarantee of success makes me even more determined. Apart from the trip I do look forward of getting to know the other members in the party a whole lot better as we meet on a regular basis on the many training hikes in preparation for the trip.

Sandra Ackland

I am 38 years old and live in Tokai with my family (husband Mark and daughter Sarah) along with three dogs and a cat. I have spent the last 15 years of my life working in the IT industry and am currently employed as an Application Security Architect for a large South African Insurance company. I love the outdoors and wild life. My occupation of choice would be a Game Ranger.


My reason for wanting to climb Kili? - it was on my list of things to do before I get old.


This photo was taken of me earlier in the year at Peer's Cave in fish hoek. The handsome chap at my side is Rudy.

Ian Egan-Fowler

I spent 16 years in the Navy as an engineer and was the Project Engineer for the Combat Suite on the new Corvettes that are being commissioned in SA. My wife and I now own a publication called the Choice Magazine which is distributed to homes in the Western Cape and in Johannesburg. We have 3 children, a12 year old girl Tayla, an 8yr old boy Daniel and a 4yr old monster Campbell. We stay in Glencairn Heights near Simonstown (got to be able to spot me ships ya know!!!).


My motivation to challenge Kilimanjaro is quite simply a journey I wanted to do while I was studying and was never able to afford it. I like to embark on challenges such as this as I find I get caught up in the hum drum of normal life. I tend to stagnate and have no fresh new ideas, therefore lack the creativeness I like to inject into my business. Challenges fuel me with an appreciation of life and more specifically my life, as it is now. I look forward to getting to know everybody during the preperation for Killies.