Day 11: Descend to Mweka Gate and farewell dinner
Our climbers are waking up to their last day on the mountain. They’ll have their last breakfast in the mess tent and then start their trek. They’ll descend through the rainforest past towering trees and lush ferns to a hot lunch at Mweka Gate – where they’ll end their adventure on Mount Kilimanjaro.
MOUNTAIN ROUTE STATS
Starting elevation 13,000 feet
Ending elevation 6,000 feet
Elevation gain 7,000 feet
Distance hiked 7 miles
Average hiking time 5 hours
JOURNAL ENTRY BY STEVE JOHNON
I was asked to write a blog post about our SAE Trip closing dinner Friday night where we were joined by the Young Life Team of climbers lead by Grant Alderman and the Young Life Team that went on Safari lead by Young Life Leader Rip Gibbs. The evening began with casual conversations around the bar and the table. Johnny and I shared another belly laugh that only Brian and Kole had overheard. We don’t share these with the group, keeping most of these hilarious moments to ourselves, it’s funniest that way.
After eating we were entertained by Johnny and Kasey as they randomly went around the table like stand up comics bestowing “Most Likely To” Awards based on the teams perception of each person. I can’t remember every justification for every award, most are self explanatory.
Here’s the nights list:
- Most likely to have a small bladder - Grant (Beyond Adventures Intern)
- Most likely to become President - Brian (SAE)
- Most likely to fall down the mountain - Trevor (YL)
- Most likely to be a Stud - Jacob (YL)
- Most likely to be a male model - Daniel (YL)
- Most likely to pee anywhere and everywhere - Johnny (SAE)
- Most likely to buy Just For Men hair color - Ben (YL) (so you could actually see that cheesy moustache.)
- Most likely to Climb the Seven Summits - Kasey (YL)
- Most likely to play 20 Questions - Adele (YL)
- Most likely to wear “spring loaded underwear” - Steve (SAE)
- Most likely to be Papa Deo 2.0 - Rip (YL)
- Most likely to be the team Dad - Keith (SAE)
- Most likely to be constipated - Kole (Soon to be SAE legacy)
- Most likely to be our fearless leader - Drew (Beyond Adventures)
After these awards Drew awarded me an unofficial certificate for climbing up to Lava Tower. The rest of our team of climbers received their official certificates issued by the Park Service verifying their summit success.
As a group we went around the room reflecting on our climb up Kilimanjaro or on Safari. I remembered noting how these young adults had such profound insights and reflections on their experiences. Several clearly noted how the Summit of Kilimanjaro was an awesome experience and how the struggle to get there was just as much a life changing experience.
It was clear that everyone is taking home with them something intangible and life changing within their hearts. From the impact of Legho Village, Papa Deo’s wisdom and lessons, to Safari and Kilimanjaro each of us has been taught life lessons; some to apply now and others to marinate in our hearts to bloom later.
The comments by Ben about the impact of sharing this experience with his father before going off to college and Rip similarly commenting about the love of a father toward his son were both moving. It was clear they had connected on their trip
Then Keith shared how much it meant for him to take time away from work to spend with his son these past two weeks. Next week they will meet up with the rest of their family to go on Safari. Then Kole got up and spoke about how much it meant to him spending this time with his Dad. Then suddenly Kole reached out and just grabbed his Dad with a powerful hug and Keith likewise wrapped his arms around his son and they shared this spontaneous embrace that demonstrated the power of the love shared between a father and son. What a powerful metaphor on how our Heavenly Father loves each of us.
There’s no way I could accurately represent everyone’s comments from memory. I think everyone should write their own reflections and add them to this blog post. I will share some of my comments here.
First, to those young people who successfully summited Kilimanjaro:
When you climbed Kilimanjaro you didn’t conquer the mountain, you conquered yourself and that’s a much greater challenge. You cannot conquer risks by shielding yourself from life. Living your life safely and never taking a chance means robbing yourself of GOD’S creation.
You understand your limitations when you realize that you have NONE. Don’t let this experience define your life. You define your life by this experience. This world isn’t changed by your experiences, its changed by your example.
GO - BE an example.
I pray for each of you to enjoy safe travels and for success in your future endeavors. Our life paths have crossed randomly; may we be intentional in allowing our paths to cross again.
Blessings upon you all.
Phi Alpha