Day 8 – Summit Night
By Rick Parry

Inevitably the big night saw me sound asleep at 11pm for the first time on the trek.
Thus started an extraordinary 24 hours of which everyone will have their very personal highs and lows, emotionally and physically. I’m sure everyone had a moment when they thought they weren’t going to make it.
But the story of this remarkable night wasn’t about individuals, it was about the team.
Part of my life has involved building high performing teams and I’m fortunate to have seen some great successes. Tom will immediately think of Istanbul in 2005.
And when you build a truly great team, ordinary people do extraordinary things.
Mark Bunett, creator of the Apprentice and Survivor, started with a series called Eco Challenge, an absurdly difficult Triathlon that took place in burning deserts and deep ravines.
Almost by accident Mark included a rule which said that all 4 team members had to cross the line together. And, this surprise, the focus of the programme learned the psychology of the team dynamics rather than the physical challenge.
Mark concluded that when there was negativity and tension, teams consumed energy at 5 times the rate as those where there was unity and mutual support.
The significant of this is that summit night wasn’t about 15 individuals getting to the top. It was about a team of 19 conquering Kili. Everyone played their part and everyone must take an equal share of the credit.
Although it was a considerable surprise to our guide Mark, I’m sure it was no surprise to any of us that all 15 reached the summit together. It really couldn’t have been any other way.
A word about Mark and Jim. Good leaders lead by example and create an environment in which team members can give their best. Mark – you’re a good leader mate. Even if you’re usual cheery “well you’re probably not going to die” was tested a little on summit night.
Jim – undoubtadley put the team first and in so doing sacrificed his own chances of getting to the top – something he was desperate to do. He also played a major role in supporting my Guiness Book of Records application for being the first man to summit Kili with a tampon stuck up his nose. Even Mark hasn’t tried this. I think.
When you’re faced a challenge like this it’s always useful to promise some advice for those who may follow you. All marketeers know that the basic principle of marketing are known as the 4 P’s. Well I have devised the 3 P’s of mountaineering:  Pole, Pole and Porters.
The latter, if shouted loudly and confidently enough, is guaranteed to bring the cavalcade to an instant halt. This is especially useful at times of acute breathlessness.
To conclude I’m going to modify a quote from John Wooden, arguably the greatest basketball coach ever.
“To summit Kili it is not sufficient to be WILLING to do it. You have to be EAGER to do it”.