Kilimanjaro Uncovered

Book excerpt: Alexandra penned Kilimanjaro Uncovered in real time while preparing and during her climb on the Northern Circuit, a little-known hiking route away from the crowds to the top of Kilimanjaro. She provides valuable guidance for those interested in climbing themselves and tells a broader story of a truly life-changing experience. PART I - PREPARATION: While Alex over-prepared her hike, she found a lack of concise, trustworthy information in other literature, including how to select the best tour operator. For the first time, Kilimanjaro Uncovered provides comprehensive, unbiased guidance how to organize a climb, based on her experience and in-depth research. PART II - HIKING: On Kilimanjaro, Alex sees her own preconceptions turned on their heads. With the immediacy and intimacy of a journal, she tells her story with honesty, brutal at times, with self-deprecating humour, real passion and a zest for life. In easy-to-read conversational style she bares her heart with descriptions of what it means to feel vulnerable on such a trek, not least her own vulnerability, and how strength prevails when one feels most exposed. "Alex's description of the final push to the summit is some of the best writing I have seen in ages. Her real-time view of experiences is gripping . . . will have you reading well into the night." "The issue of porter welfare is taken up and is being acted upon even as this book goes to print. At a time when political correctness is killing the truth, the honest language here makes for a refreshing read. Kilimanjaro Uncovered is also, at times, laugh-out-loud funny - just like life. This makes it real." "If only for the entertainment of sharing in the experiences of what it means to be human and 'proud to be wild' for nine days, I'd say, read Kilimanjaro Uncovered by Alex Tanbai." "A must read for any mountain trekker" "A fun, informative and inspiring story" "Full of brilliant little nuggets of information that will help you prepare" "This book will have you reading well into the night"