Sharon Orlowski and her partner, Pete Pickering, recently returned from an awe-inspiring journey to Africa to climb Mount Kilimanjaro. Here, Sharon shares the details of her experience with focus magazine, from the motivation behind the climb to the challenges faced along the way, as well as the highlights and life-changing moments that followed.
A Longstanding Love for the Outdoors
Although Sharon’s passion for tramping (hiking) dates back years, it wasn’t until more recently that she fully embraced outdoor adventure. In the last four or five years, she found herself spending significant time exploring New Zealand’s wilderness. The love of nature and hiking grew, and with it came the ability to push her limits. She has completed countless day trips, overnight stays, and multi-day hikes, so much so that she’s lost count – and worn through several pairs of hiking boots along the way.
But climbing Mount Kilimanjaro was a different challenge altogether. It wasn’t something that had always been on her radar, though she frequently watched tramping videos online. One day, Sharon stumbled across a video of people climbing Kilimanjaro. It sparked an idea, though at first, it seemed like a distant dream. “Flying halfway across the world to Tanzania and climbing the highest freestanding mountain in the world seemed like something other people do, not me,” she says.
Yet, in a surprising turn of events, what began as an idea soon became a reality. Their flights to Tanzania were booked, and just five months later, Sharon and Pete were setting off for what would be one of the most challenging and rewarding adventures of their lives.
Training for the Climb
When preparing for Kilimanjaro, both Sharon and Pete were no strangers to fitness. Sharon describes herself as moderately fit, while Pete, she says, is naturally lean and fit. Their preparation began with regular hikes up The Mount (Mt. Maunganui, Tauranga), along with other local walks in their area. They also completed a few overnight and multi-day hikes in New Zealand to ensure they were physically ready.
But one factor loomed large in their minds: altitude. “You can’t really train for altitude in New Zealand,” Sharon notes, “so I researched different breathing techniques and started taking supplements that others found useful.” Their physical training was accompanied by mental preparation too. Sharon was careful not to tell many people about their plans until the last minute, hoping to stay positive. She adopted a “one day at a time” mindset, avoiding thoughts of the daunting summit night until it arrived. Her approach made the climb feel more manageable and helped her stay focused throughout.
A Surreal Arrival in Africa
Arriving in Africa was a surreal experience for the couple. Though they had both travelled extensively to various countries, neither had set foot on the African continent before. After watching countless videos, Sharon found herself in awe as their plane touched down at Kilimanjaro International Airport. The 27-hour journey from Auckland to Tanzania, coupled with sleeplessness, only added to the dreamlike quality of their arrival.
Their first stop was a breath-taking lodge surrounded by lush forest, where colobus monkeys played in the trees. Sharon was struck by the friendliness of the people they met, the delicious food, and, perhaps most notably, the incredible Kilimanjaro coffee, which she describes as “soooo delicious!”
The Challenge of Summit Night
Summit night, known for being the most difficult part of the climb, certainly lived up to its reputation. After five or six days of hiking, the climbers arrived at Barafu Camp (Base Camp) mid-afternoon. They tried to catch a few hours of sleep before waking at 10:30pm for a small meal. By 11:30pm, they were starting the final ascent to the summit.
It was around 4am. when Sharon faced her most challenging moment. Exhaustion set in, and at approximately 5,500 meters, the thinner air made breathing more difficult. “I started to question my sanity,” she admits, as there were still four more hours to go. Her resolve wavered, but then she remembered a message she had received from one of her sons (sporadic mobile coverage allowed Sharon to stay in touch with family members who could track their progress in real time). His words of encouragement – “You’ve got this, I wholeheartedly believe in you” – came flooding back, giving Sharon the strength she needed to push through.
“It was a turning point,” she reflects. That boost of determination helped her continue. She dug deep, stayed focused, and ultimately made it to the summit, a moment that felt all the more significant because of the struggle.
“You’ve got this, I wholeheartedly believe in you”
Reaching the Summit
Reaching Stella Point, just an hour away from the summit, was an emotional experience for the entire group. After seven hours of hiking, mostly in darkness, the sight of the ridge and the summit sign at Uhuru Peak (the 5,895m summit) felt like a triumph. The group of 11 climbers, including Sharon and Pete, had all made it to the summit. Given that only 50-60% of people successfully reach the top, this was an incredible feat.
Only 50-60% of people reach the top!
Sharon describes the conditions as perfect, with clear skies and minimal wind, in contrast to the group that climbed the following night, who faced high winds and icy weather. “Touching the summit sign, seeing the glaciers, and standing with others who had just achieved the same goal was indescribable,” Sharon says. She felt a sense of accomplishment knowing she had completed something that many people only dream of.
The Impact on Their Relationship
Climbing Kilimanjaro together was an unforgettable experience for Sharon and Pete. While they were already accustomed to tramping together in New Zealand, altitude sickness added a new dimension to their journey. Sharon was fortunate to experience only mild symptoms, while Pete struggled with altitude sickness, which dampened his enjoyment of the climb at times. “It became a challenge for us both to manage,” Sharon says, as Pete had to contend with headaches and other symptoms. Despite the physical strain, the experience brought them closer as a couple, and they felt a sense of unity as they completed the climb together.
Exploring Africa Beyond the Mountain
Their African adventure didn’t end with the climb. Before tackling Kilimanjaro, Sharon and Pete embarked on a private three-day safari, visiting Arusha National Park, Ngorongoro Crater, and Tarangire National Park. Sharon recalls being awestruck by the wildlife they encountered, from elephants and giraffes to lions, cheetahs, and zebras. The landscape itself, with its iconic African acacia trees, left a lasting impression.
One of the highlights was a walking safari, where they found themselves just 20m away from a family of giraffes. Travelling between parks offered unique moments, such as witnessing Massai people tending their goat herds, washing their clothing at water holes, to the bull elephant that crashed out of the bush and ran in front of our vehicle on one of the main highways. “The whole experience was mind-blowing,” Sharon says, and the accommodations, people, and food only enhanced the magic of their time in Africa.
The Gear and Preparation
The couple were well-equipped for their adventure, having already accumulated much of the necessary gear from their tramping trips in New Zealand. They did however, rent sleeping bags in Tanzania, knowing their own weren’t suited for the sub-zero temperatures they would encounter. One of the best investments, Sharon notes, was a private toilet tent, which spared them from the long trek to the public facilities.
For anyone considering a similar adventure, Sharon has one more important piece of advice: “Buy a pee bottle!”
Breathing at High Altitude
Despite the high altitude, Sharon didn’t feel oxygen-deprived during the climb. The guides closely monitored the group’s oxygen levels and overall health twice a day, helping them avoid serious altitude sickness. The key to their success, Sharon explains, was pacing. “Pole, pole,” a Swahili phrase meaning “slow, slow,” became their mantra. By walking slowly, they avoided spikes in their heart rate and made the climb more manageable. While summit night was exhausting, Sharon attributes much of her ability to keep going to the slower pace and the breathing techniques she had practised.
Advice for Future Climbers
Sharon offers several pieces of advice for those considering a major physical challenge like climbing Kilimanjaro. Research is key, she says, both in terms of understanding the demands of the climb and choosing a reputable guiding company. Having a decent level of fitness is important, but extreme levels of fitness aren’t necessary. What’s more important is being comfortable walking for hours with a backpack, wearing the right gear, and packing wisely to stay within the weight limits.
Perhaps most importantly, Sharon encourages others not to doubt themselves. “Unless there’s a medical reason you can’t, you more than likely can,” she says. A positive mindset is crucial to enjoying the experience and overcoming any doubts along the way.
A New Perspective
Climbing Kilimanjaro had a profound impact on Sharon’s outlook. As one of the older members of the group, she takes pride in having completed the climb without any injuries, aches, or pains. The experience reminded her that age is no barrier to adventure, and it has sparked a desire for more high-altitude expeditions in the future.
Within days of returning to New Zealand, Sharon and Pete were already planning their next adventure.
What’s Next?
Having left full-time work in early 2024, Sharon now embraces new challenges. She and Pete are learning to become beekeepers, eagerly awaiting the arrival of their first hives. They also have three of New Zealand’s Great Walks left to complete, with plans to tick off two more next year. Beyond that, another high-altitude overseas adventure is already in the works.
And with a fresh pair of hiking boots ready to go, Sharon is sure that this next chapter will be filled with even more unforgettable experiences.