Kilimanjaro Expedition

Tanzania, Africa – 2025

In early 2025, Lee had the opportunity to attempt a long-held ambition, to climb Africa’s highest mountain, Kilimanjaro with his daughter Harriet. Despite ongoing problems with is prosthetic fit, he jumped at the chance. Harriet and Lee would be raising money for Rock2Recovery, a mental health charity that works with not just military veterans, but members of the blue light services and their families.

As the departure to Tanzania approached, Lee struggled with training. The issues with his stump and prosthetic meant that he could only walk 400 meters. Then just 2 weeks before leaving for Africa, he received a new, better fitting socket and after a test climb of Pen-y-Fan in south Wales, Lee and Harriet set off with the rest of the Rock2Recovery team.

Kilimanjaro – Key Stats

• Climbers: Lee and Harriet Spencer
• Final camp: Barafu Camp (4,673m)
• Summit: Uhuru Peak (5,895m)
• Cause: Fundraising for Rock2Recovery
• Outcome: Summit achieved; helicopter evacuation required on descent

Preparing with a prosthetic limitation

In the lead-up to departure, Lee’s training was heavily restricted by problems with his prosthetic fit. At points he could only walk around 400 metres. Two weeks before leaving, he received a better-fitting socket and completed a test climb of Pen y Fan in South Wales before travelling to Tanzania with Harriet and the wider Rock2Recovery team.

Acclimatisation to Barafu Camp

After six days of acclimatisation walks — in torrential rain and increasing altitude — the team reached Barafu Camp at 4,673m, the high camp used for summit attempts.

The Final Push

Lee’s mantra throughout the expedition was simple: get to the start and see what happens.

Just before midnight, Lee set off for the summit ahead of the rest of the group. At around 5,200m, a combination of altitude sickness and an underlying chest infection severely restricted his breathing. With support from the local guides, he reached Stella Point at sunrise, then continued with Harriet and the team to Uhuru Peak (5,895m) — the highest point in Africa.