An adventure to the roof of Africa has produced a mammoth memento of the mountain trek for its Angus conqueror.
Still on cloud nine after his successful ascent of Mount Kilimanjaro, Dave Gordon from Brechin has created a spectacular 18ft photographic reminder of his climb to the top of the 19,341ft peak.
The 50-year-old offshore materials controller took on the challenge to raise money for the learning disabilities charity Cornerstone and a 360-degree panorama shot of the view from Africa’s highest point is Dave’s permanent souvenir of his epic trip.
Producing the print also gave pal Bruce Robertson of Forfar Photo Centre a mountain to climb in running the stunning shot off the machine at his East High Street shop, but both men are delighted with the image which is now set to grace the galley of the Claymore platform in the North Sea when Dave returns to work there.
“I would recommend the Kilimanjaro climb to anybody it’s not easy physically or mentally but it is the most amazing thing I have ever done,” said Dave.
He was one of a 23-strong group tackling the Cornerstone climb, 21 of whom reached Gilman’s Point on the mountain before the final push to the summit. A dozen climbers went on to reach Uhuru Point, hiking the final part around the rim of the crater.
“The oxygen content at the top is only 50% of that at sea level so it was a huge effort to put one foot in front of the other,” said Dave.
In clear blue skies almost 6,000 metres above the plains of Tanzania, Dave used a compact camera to capture the all-round panorama of his achievement.
“Before going to Africa I went round to see Bruce and he had this camera. On the way up the mountain I discovered the 360-degree setting and what he’s done with the picture is just stunning,” added Dave.
Dave chose Cornerstone through his friendship with one of the charity’s workers in Aberdeen and his www.justgiving.com/Dave-Gordon12 page is close to hitting the £3,500 target he set himself.