KEEPING YOU SAFE & ON THE ROAD
Page 2 - NOVEMBER 10 , 2016 - MaRtENsVillE MEssENgER
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KEEPING YOU SAFE & ON THE ROAD
Martensville ’ s Mountaineers
Ciara O ’ Reilly , Martensville Messenger
Embedded in the country of Tanzania , Eastern Africa is home to the tallest mountain in the continent and the highest free-standing mountain in the world . Escalating at a whopping 16,000 feet from its base to 19,341 feet above sea level , Mount Kilimanjaro truly is one of the world ’ s greatest natural wonders . For those seeking inspiration , beauty , challenge and adventure , Kilimanjaro makes for a sought after climb by many .
The mountain itself is described as ' walking from the equator to the North Pole in a week '. Dramatic changes in vegetation and animal life take place day by day . Over the course of the hike one would expect to trek through rainforests and excavate up snow and rock whilst looking down upon cloud level . Camps are set up along the way of the tranquil , peaceful , isolated mountain side for climbers to eat , rest and connect with their environment and dwell upon the challenge that is set before them . There are many routes hikers can take in order to reach the summit including Machame , Marangu , Shira / Lemosho , Rongai , Umbwe , and Northern Circuit . Each route ranges in scenery , sleeping destinations , and length of travel .
Every year , 25,000 adventurers seek to reach the summit of Kilimanjaro , alas only two-thirds of these climbers will be successful . Altitude related problems are the most common reason trekkers turn back , however there are many other risks at heat . Symptoms of altitude sickness in order of accordance include headaches , nausea , anorexia , exhaustion , lassitude , rapid pulse , insomnia , swelling of the hands and feet and reduced urine output . Hypothermia , feet problems and sun related injuries are also risked health factors for climbers . Preventative courses of action can be taken , with the main piece of advice being ' slow and steady wins the race '. In order to scale this mountain comfortably climbers are recommended to ' pole , pole ' by their guide , which is the Swahili translation of ' slowly , slowly '. Allowing your body to acclimatize to the growing altitude is highly important in order to reach the peak . In fact , at the summit successful hikers can only take in the surreal beauty upon the roof of Africa for a mere 15 minutes before trekking back down due to health risks . Of the 25,000 annual climbers , a brave Martensville couple defeated all odds on their trek to the summit of Mt . Kilimanjaro , and their experience was nothing short of life-changing .
Brent and Charlena Robinson , both in their fifties , are your average day to day Martensvillians . You have probably seen the two at your local grocery store , or even in the streets of your city . Fellow adventurers can also say that they have seen this couple , as they journeyed alongside and gazed upon the beauty of Africa from the highest free-standing mountain in the world . That ' s right , and they ' re from your own city . Are you inspired yet ?
The two stayed in Tanzania , Africa , for 27 days . Prior to the climb of Kilimanjaro was plenty of mental and physical preparation . The Robinsons would like to thank Reg and Carly as well as their Crossfit family at Crossfit3126 for shaping their lives over the past 18 months of training prior to the trip . “ The training , the support , the strength , the endurance and the friendships pushed us to new levels of fitness ,” stated the Robinsons . “ In life when you are our age , ( ha , ha ) and in Crossfit , a person learns and trains to ‘ finish strong ’ and ‘ not to quit when you are tired , but to quit when you are done ,’ and the thought of quitting our climb never once entered our minds .” Our mountaineers conquered their climb in nine days to the summit of Kilimanjaro which included an overnight stay at Crater Camp which was the “ ultimate test of endurance ,” according to the couple . With Uhuru Peak being 5,895 meters and Crater Camp being 5,695 meters and surrounded by glaciers , oxygen levels were obviously significantly lower . Group guides regularly completed health checks and also carried an oxygen tank in the event of an emergency . “ All Tanzanian glaciers are located on the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro . The mountain had 16 named glaciers and three ice fields in the middle of the 20th century but by the 1990s , at least four glaciers had disappeared and the remaining glaciers had retreated ,” the Robinsons informed us . Summit day was something else entirely for this couple , “ Summit day is D Day on Kilimanjaro ,” stated Robinson . Meaning of all days , reaching the summit was the most demanding physically and mentally . From starting the climb in the early hours of pitch-black darkness and sub-freezing temperatures to collapsing exhaustedly in camp at the end of the day , “ there is no respite , but what a reward ,” remarked the Robinsons .
FRIDGE NEWS A listing of upcoming events in and around Martensville
To place your organization ’ s ad , contact the Martensville Messenger at advertising @ martensvillemessenger . ca
Thursday , November 10 North Side WASTE Collection Day
Saturday , November 12 Shopping Extravaganza Martensville vs Warman Provincial Football Game 1 pm Neufeld Field , Warman
Monday , November 15 Overpass Open House 5 - 7:30 North Ridge Centennial Community Centre
Tuesday , November 16 Council Meeting - City Hall 5pm Kids in the Kitchen Begins -Venture Heights 6-8 pm
Wednesday , November 17 South Side RECYCLE Collection Day
Thursday , November 18 North Side RECYCLE Collection Day
For more information on City events , visit www . martensville . ca
Monday to Friday 7:30-5:30
801 Centennial Dr . North Martensville SK
306-244-4950
Prior to the climb of Kilimanjaro were adventures of spiritual and emotional worth as they toured Stella Maris School and visited local villages in Moshi . “ It was a heartbreaking experience yet we met very proud and strong Chugga Tribe people . Tanzanian culture is a delightful mix of influences with over 120 tribes . We met people from 4 different tribes ,” Robinson informed us . The two volunteered at Stella Maris School which is funded through Stella Maris lodge and donations . The school has 290 Grade one to seven children , nine teachers and the Principal . The children are given a uniform , socks and shoes with a bar of soap and are expected to keep it clean . They are provided with one meal which is cooked outside with an open fire . The children and teachers start their day at 7:40 a . m . with prayers in Swahili and English and then sing their national anthem . The Tanzanian national anthem is titled “ Mungu Ibariki Afrika ” ( God Bless Africa ).
The adventure didn ’ t end after Kilimanjaro as the two were also able to Safari through Tarangire National Park , Ngorongoro Conservation Area , Serengeti National Park , Ngorongoro Crater National Park and Lake Manyara National Park . The couple also camped for four nights at Serengeti Heritage Camp which was an “ amazing experience in itself ,” expressed Robinson , “ Listening to hyenas , zebras and Cape buffalo munching on grass all night long right outside the tent with the occasional heart stopping roar from lions .” Ultimately , Africa proved to be the trip of a lifetime and the adventure seekers themselves plan on returning one day with their supportive and encouraging family . “ Africa was a life changing , spiritually and emotionally charged experience ,” concluded the Robinsons .
The two would also like to leave this message regarding the school at which they volunteered , “ Without education these children are in desperate situations . We have so much ! They have so little !” For more information , visit ‘ Stella Maris Lodge ’ and ‘ Liberation Christian Day Centre ” on Facebook .
ABOVE : Charlena and Brent Robinson sit at the top of Mount Kilimanjaro . BELOW : Friends and family came to greet the adventurous couple ’ s arrival at Saskatoon airport .