In September 2026, Bear Cochrane (MR 2018-23) and his friends, Maxime, Emerson, and Mehmet will take on the Machame Route of Mount Kilimanjaro in memory of and in dedication to those closest to them who have been affected by cancer.

From Bear’s father, Richard, who was diagnosed during his first year at Oxford with malignant metastases from an unknown primary and given just a 50/50 chance of survival, to Nathalie Emerson’s mum, who is currently undergoing intensive treatment for stage 4 breast cancer. From Maxime’s best friend Theo, whose rare form of leukaemia forced him to return home mid-gap year, to Mehmet’s grandparents and godparents, who have battled cancer in its many forms—each of them are climbing for someone they love.

They’ll trek for six days, through rainforest, moorland, alpine desert and arctic zones, climbing from 1,800m to 5,895m (Uhuru Peak)—a journey of more than 70 km. This challenge is both deeply personal and physically demanding, but one we take on with passion, resilience and hope.

Itinerary:

Day 1: Machame gate- Machame camp (Rainforest zone)

Altitude: 1,800- 2,800

Hiking distance 11 km

Hiking duration 6 hours

Day 2: Machame camp- Shira camp (Moorland zone)

Altitude: 2,800- 3,600

Hiking distance 8 km

Hiking duration 6 hours

Day 3: Shira camp- Barranco camp (Alpine desert)

Altitude: 3,600- 3,940

Hiking distance: 11km

Hiking duration: 8 hours

Day 4: Barranco camp- Barafu camp (Arctic zone)

Altitude: 3,940- 4,550

Hiking distance: 13 km

Hiking duration: 7 hours

Day 5: (Summit day): Barafu camp- Summit- Mweka camp

Altitude: 4,550- 5,895- 3,100

Hiking distance: 17 km

Hiking duration: 15+ hours

Day 6: Mweka camp- Moshi (Rainforest zone)

Altitude: 3,100- 1,800

Hiking distance: 10 km

Hiking duration: 5 hours

Click here to visit Bear's fundraising page