Manchester Evening News editor Paul Horrocks is part of team which is currently climbing Africa’s highest mountain, Kilimanjaro, for charity. During the trip he is keeping a daily diary, and here tells of his hardest day so far…

Day 4

Today was a gruelling 15km walk across a lunar-type landscape from Shira camp to Barranco.

We trekked up to 4,600m before descending to Barranco camp at 4,000m to help our altitude acclimatisation. It is now much colder and windier.

The nights are down to freezing and as I write this diary on the dining table of our mess tent by calor gaslight, the wind is howling outside.

Yet the technology of a laptop, digital camera and satellite internet link all powered by batteries to create this diary is truly amazing.

Our spirits have been given a massive boost by news from the MEN newsdesk of the many messages of support and the news that Kirsty is out of hospital.

The Francis House appeal target of £5m must be met to secure its future, and it is morale booster for us to know so much sponsorship has been pledged. From all the team, many thanks.

The team in front of the Lava Tower at 4,600 metres on the way from Shira camp to Barranco

The mountain guide Elias and his team of cooks and porters are looking after us superbly. It’s amazing they can rustle up such good hot food with no mains services. Every morsel is hauled up the mountain in what seems like a never-ending snake of porters.

Tonight we tucked into cucumber soup, followed by potatoes and hot beef stew and honey in hot water. Ravens circle every camp looking for scraps and tonight they even swooped down and stole the soap from the communal washing bowls.

For me it was the hardest day – I was totally exhausted when we reached camp so I went straight into the tent for a sleep.

Tomorrow we tackle the fearsome Barranco wall which was formed 100,000 years ago when part of the volcano slipped and left a sheer face. There is a path cut into the cliffs which we must climb to reach the camp at Karanga Valley.

Paul answered: “The internet kit BT supplied is working well. I am struggling with the heights but I am sure I will get by.”

Published courtesy of MEN Syndication.