Harry started his journey to climb Africa’s three highest mountains on Platberg. On his way to the summit of Kilimanjaro, he also climbed in Tenerife, Morocco, Ethiopia, Uganda, and Kenya. But long before that, as a child, he stood on the summit of Mont-aux-Sources, and thought he was on top of the world. On his travels, he argued with park authorities who refused to let him climb Teide in Tenerife – because it had snow on it! Got scrubbed in a hammam by a matronly figure. Who washed everywhere – yes, even there… Drank tea with a marijuana farmer in the Rif Mountains. Drove in the driver’s cabin of an African train through Kenyan plains. Crossed the Tanzanian border on the back of a Boda-boda (motorcycle taxi). And diced with death on buses that ‘sidestepped’ oncoming traffic like professional bullfighters on Kenyan roads. On Jbel Toubkal his fingers got so cold they stopped working. In the Simien mountains he became a language teacher. And finally, on Kilimanjaro, where a simple bite on an energy bar left him breathless, he wondered why he took so long to get around to climbing this spell-binding mountain. Harry shares some of the problems he’s had with trekking organisers. Like running out of food on the Rwenzori mountains. Handing over tips for porters that were apparently part of the trek but were never seen. Having to put up with inefficient equipment on Kilimanjaro. He details each day’s trekking destination, distance and height gained. He briefly tells the history of the first ascents and naming of the peaks. And shares observations made along the way. Some of which will make you smile and others which will touch you emotionally. It’s part travel story, part guidebook. With information for both the prospective trekker and the armchair traveller.
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Harry was born in Harrismith in South Africa, where he took his first steps up a mountain. He has lived and worked and climbed in South Africa, UK, Netherlands, Germany, Italy, Hong Kong, and Switzerland. He currently lives in Zürich in Switzerland with his girlfriend, Barbara. They spend most weekends and holidays in the mountains. Harry shares their experiences in his blog, Mountain path (https://mountain-paths.com). His three children are all grown up. He’s a proud grandad to six lively young people. Some of whom may become climbers like their Grandad… Harry recently started a company organising trips to African mountains. He has a simple philosophy for having started the company: to connect people who love the mountains with Africa’s greatest mountains; and to make sure that the guides, cooks, and porters who support them, get a wage worthy of their efforts. (Sadly, many of the guides, cooks and porters are desperate for work, and will work for a quarter or less of what they should be paid. Often, they have to provide their own food and equipment while on the mountain, so that the less ethical tour operators can put extra money in their own pockets.) His company is called Walk in Wild Places (https://walkinwildplaces.com/), and he would love to help you get to the top of Africa’s mountains.
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