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Euphoria sets in as you stand at the top Continued from page 1 3 · Thursday, January 17, 2013 OAKVILLE BEAVER · www.insideHALTON.com One thing he did not enjoy, however, was the rain. "In Tanzania, it was supposed to be the end of the rainy season, but we got really unlucky and, basically, all seven days we were on the mountain it rained a crazy amount," said Ahmad. "The easiest ways for the water to flow down were through the routes we were taking so that actually got pretty bad. The mud was just splashing down like a chocolate fondue. Our guides told us that a lot of other groups were turning back." Ahmad admits the thought of turning back crossed his mind during the early portion of the excursion, however, the guides kept the group motivated. One trick the guides had was telling the group they would make camp after another hour or two of hiking. An hour or two later, the guides would say, "It's just one more hour." These delays would eventually stretch into 4-10hour hikes. Ahmad said not all the walking was uphill with the guides following a pattern in which they would lead the group up the mountain for a few hours and then along a downhill path for a shorter duration. Submitted Photo on the way up: Haaris Ahmad at a camp used during his six-day ascent of Mount Kilimanjaro in Africa. While the downhill portions could seem disheartening Ahmad learned this was done to keep the group safe from altitude sickness. Despite these efforts, Ahmad still came down with the illness on the final day of the ascent. "I got this nausea and then I just started puking uncontrollably," he said. "After that, every step I took was like someone was banging something on my head. I got this really intense sort of migraine so I had to fight through that to get to the top." Ahmad said he was afraid the guides would make him turn around and head back down the mountain, as altitude sickness in its severest form can be fatal. However, the guides decided Ahmad was OK to proceed and allowed him to finish the tail end of his journey. While Ahmad was only able to stay on the summit for about 15 minutes before heading back down, he said those were 15 minutes he will never forget. "There was snow everywhere on the ground. It was about -15 C," he said. "You look down at the valleys and that feeling hits you that you made it." on all ST-PAULIN SAVE 25 PRICES ENTERTAINMENT STANDS UP TO 60 Anniversary th Kevin Flynn, MPP­Oakville NEW OAKVILLE HOSPITAL On time, On budget! · The new Oakville Hospital is 20% complete · As the largest capital investment in Ontario's history, we are on time and on budget · Extension of Third Line to Burnhamthorpe Road is underway · Averaging over 400 workers per day on site · Walls and slab floors have been erected with more to come · We're proud to say that a state-of-the-art hospital is becoming a reality for all Oakville residents Community Office: 2318 Lakeshore Road West, Unit 2 Oakville, ON L6L 1H3 Tel: 905.827.5141 kflynn.mpp.co@liberal.ola.org % OFF REG. SOLID WOOD DURHAM SOLID WOOD BUHLER Choice of Finishes (905)844-3530 · www.swissinteriors.com 217 Lakeshore Rd. E., Downtown Oakville OAKVILLE S C I R T A I D E P ARE PEDIATRIC URGENT C PEDIATRIC URGENT CARE PEDIATRICS CLINIC · PEDIATRIC ASTHMA CLINIC · TRAVEL CLINIC · ALLERGY CLINIC First Oakville's Children Walk-IN clinic Our pediatrician is accepting new PATIENTS now. Providing Compounding & FREE medication flavouring, Insulin Pump Supplies & Diabetes Specialty for Kids 15% DISCOUNT PROGRAM. Hours: Mon-Fri: 9:30am - 7:00pm Sat: 10:00am - 3:00pm 905-469-9988 2540 Postmaster Drive @ Dundas St. W. · www.Oakvillepediatrics.com · 905-847-KIDS (5437)