`I walked with Charles, one of the stewards today. You're very embarrassed to see them carrying those big tin boxes on their heads, as well as all the bags and tents . . ."
Ms Proinsias Ni Ghrainne, commissioning editor at TG4 at Baile na hAbhann in Connemara, isn't the first, and won't be the last westerner to wonder about the morality of high-altitude mountaineering. Dependence on professional guides is acceptable enough, but the employment of locals as "porters" is always difficult - particularly when one discovers how much they actually earn for the risks they take at great physical cost.
Proinsias was one of a group of 23 Irish people to climb Kilimanjaro, the "everyman's Everest", for charity. Standing at almost 20,000 ft, Kilimanjaro is the highest peak in Africa and the world's tallest volcano, lying close to the Kenyan border in Tanzania. Scientists had refused to register its existence until the beginning of the last century, and couldn't understand how a mountain just three degrees south of the equator could be covered in snow.
Though the summit can be reached by walking, without ropes or technical equipment, it carries great risks in terms of altitude.
Only one in five setting out to climb it actually succeeds and the mountain claims 10 lives on average every year. Undeterred, the Terracotta Ramblers decided to try and set foot on the summit as part of their work to raise funds for two charities - the National Council for the Blind of Ireland and the Brain Research Institute.
Some were experienced climbers, while others were novices, but all put in much preparation for the challenge. Proinsias kept the video diary of six harrowing days and nights at sub-zero temperatures, and records the emotional and physical rollercoaster journey which moved from "elation to despair, from vomiting to violent headaches", and from lush rain forest at the foot to snow-covered plains at 20,000 ft.
Kilimanjaro - Dion Ban na hAifrice (Kilimanjaro - the White Roof of Africa) is her finished work. It is broadcast tonight with English subtitles on TG4 at 11.30 p.m.