Menston sisters conquer Kilimanjaro (From Wharfedale Observer)

Menston sisters conquer Kilimanjaro

7:00am Wednesday 28th July 2010

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Two sisters have raised thousands of pounds for charity with a trek of Kilimanjaro.

Jennifer and Cathy Shutt, from Menston, have completed a gruelling climb to the summit to raise funds for the charity Mesothelioma UK, and to raise awareness of the disease that killed their father.

The sisters wanted to pay tribute to their father Michael Shutt, who died at the age of 54 – decades after being exposed to asbestos.

Jennifer, a 24-year-old vet who now lives in Morpeth, and Cathy, 20, a student at the Hull and York Medical School, are still collecting money but are hoping to raise around £6,000 in memory of their dad.

And now they are thanking everyone who has pledged donations and supported them.

Jennifer said they had been completely bowled over by the kindness and generosity of everyone who has contributed.

She said: “Cathy and I had a wonderful time in Tanzania – the summit day was by far the most mentally challenging and physically exhausting thing we have ever undertaken but it was worth every bit of it when we stood at the top with our flag and took in the view. It would have been quite emotional but it was so cold we had to avoid crying through fear of the tears freezing to our cheeks.

“We took five days to reach base camp – going pole-pole (slowly, slowly) all the way. We set off for the summit at midnight and spent seven gruelling hours climbing very carefully, in the darkness. My hands have never been so cold.

“At one point I said to Cathy that it just felt like hell on earth and she said thank God it wasn’t only her thinking that. The sun came up at 6:45am just before we reached Stella Point (5756m).

“We then carried on around the volcanic crater, stopping every few steps or so to rest as our legs felt like they had lead weights attached.

“We eventually reached Uhuru Peak, the top of Africa (5,895m), just before 8am. We stayed just long enough for a few photos and then began the two-hour descent to base camp for lunch followed by another four hours hiking to the next campsite.”

She added: “We will both remember the trip forever. We are so grateful to our fantastic guides who looked after us so well!

“Cathy has plans of one day doing Everest. I’m sure she will, but I suspect I will be supporting from a nice low altitude!”

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