Dave and the Magic Mountain

Mount Kilimanjaro - sometimes spoken of as the Magic Mountain - with its three volcanic cones, Kibo, Mawenzi, and Shira, is a dormant volcanic mountain in Tanzania. It is the highest mountain in Africa and the highest free-standing mountain in the world at 5,895 metres above sea level. Click HERE to read more.

This picture of the Kibo volcanic cone was taken by Dave when he flew over the summit of Kilimanjaro about 55 years ago

 "Climb Kilimanjaro and expand your internal limits. Change your perceptions on life forever,” someone once wrote. 

This philosophical sentiment was far from the minds of Dave Vickery and three friends when they set out to climb Mount Kilimanjaro in 1960, assisted by guides and porters. Dave was 21 years old, fit and energetic. The climb appealed to their sense of adventure and having a good time. He does not remember which one of the five established routes they followed, but remembers overnight huts called Peter's Hut and Bismarck's Hut.

This picture shows the route followed by Nigel Roberts and friends who climbed Kilimanjaro in 1959. In all probability, Dave and his friends followed the same route

At the time - from 1958 to 1960 - Dave was stationed at the Royal Air Force Eastleigh base in Kenya where he worked at his trade as an airframe fitter, played lots of bridge, soccer and hockey.

Dave working on a Blackburn Beverley in 1960

"Climbing Kilimanjaro," says Dave, "is not mountaineering in the strict sense of the word. Rather, it is a glorified hike for the first two days of the ascent, becoming more strenuous on the final day just before reaching the highest point, Kibo, before daybreak."

Daybreak as seen from Kibo. Dave remembers being somewhat dazed at the time - either due to the thin air at high altitude or the spectacular view!

Current literature emphasises the importance of one's body being adequately prepared for the physical challenges of Mount Kilimanjaro.

"We were young and fit," says Dave, "so the thought of following special fitness training programmes before our adventure didn't cross our minds." 

Nor did they suffer from a fairly common condition called AMS (Acute Mountain Sickness), which commonly affects people at high altitude.

Cold is one of the most serious obstacles when attempting to summit Kilimanjaro. Contemporary climbers stress the importance of correct underwear, thermal hiking socks, gloves, warm head protection, rain coat, sunglasses, sun protection cream, and proper hiking boots. One of the most critical items of clothing is an outer jacket.

These fancy items of clothing were scarce in 1960. Dave and his mates relied on standard RAF issue boots, jerseys, bunny jackets, beanies, gloves and sunglasses. Sun protection cream was a rarity then.

"We were made tough those days," he says with his customary impish grin. 

Fancy climbing gear? Not on your life! In this picture Dave is dressed in standard RAF issue at almost 6000 meters above sea level.

Dave and Didie have been married for 32 years. They moved to Warmbad Renaissance in 2009.

Didie and Dave Vickery