DAY 10: FINAL DAY IN ARUSHA
DAY SEVEN:
Last Day. Best Day; Ain’t no step for a stepper; and, Allow me to introduce the Band.
Sunday, January 14, 2024 All-
Thank you for traveling with us through Eastern Africa and up Mt Kili this past week - albeit a bit delayed. As you must know by now, we are all off the mountain. showered, rested - and yet some of us are continuing to fight the good fight against stomach issues. But we’re all safe and sound and headed home today (Tuesday).
For those at home keeping score. SUNDAY
6:30am
8:20am
12:20pm
Sign out of the park, clean boots; head to lunch in the nearby village. 1:30pm Take van to hotel
3:30pm Traditional “after” pic taken at hotel SHOWERS!
Last Day. Best Day.
Shout-out to some Beyond Adventure gear... while the tents were damp they were still sleepable, which I didn’t expect. And despite being in the Swamp, we all seemed to get a good night sleep. And so it was as we awoke for the Last Day, Best Day.
A much livelier breakfast was had by all.
Shout-out to Mishak and Abraham one more time - our kitchies.
The Last Day morning includes a celebration of the porters. We had collected tips from our team and given to the trip guides. They determined how to split the money. And the celebration included a reading of how much each porter would receive with cheers for the person as their name was called. And then singing and dancing began as our team joined in. We said a word of thanks and then closed with a very African version of Kumbaya.
We then set out for the park gates at 8:20am. Nobody gets to ease out of here. The trails down continue to be filled with boulders of all sizes, deep drops, roots, wet and slippery mud and ruts. It’s no joke. It’s as difficult a hike as you could imagine. 5 Stars on AllTrails. For sure.
We arrived at the gates met by about half the population of Albany, TX, including MJ’s mother Patty and friends. Impressive support there. Here here.
wake up
Let’s go home.
Arrive at Park gate.
Ain’t no step for a stepper.
My dad, Charlie Montague (1928-2020) was known for many sayings captured from growing up in rural Tennessee. One of my favorites was “Ain’t no step for a stepper.” Which was his indirect way of saying about some challenge or hurdle in my life, “Well that was damn hard. Well done. I knew you could do it. I’m proud of you.” Maybe never has that saying been more true than with this group.... Mt. Kili, ain’t no step for a stepper. Only steppers on the Dream Team. Now we know.
In conclusion and in some form of explanation for our summit in the face of major challenges, I’ll leave you with two quotes from teammates about the group that sums up our Dream Team.
“Hearing everyone choose perseverance and joy by helping each other imagine the best next day even though we hadn’t seen the sun in 3 days and our group was fighting health issues. It was a moment of choosing hope and acting with wholesome strength to build one another up in the face of mounting challenges.”
“It was miserable and awesome at the same time. I could not have scripted worse weather conditions the entire week. Stunning in how consistently awful it was. But a GREAT group of people who rose to the occasion and were positive, fun, never complaining - not one foul look or passive aggressive move, ever. It was like everybody just chose to ignore the weather and genuinely enjoyed being together. A rare group of people.”
And finally, allow me to introduce the band (aka our Dream Team), and (1) their most important trip accessory (a pro-tip) and (2) a most memorable moment...
Adam.
1. The most important accessory in my bag that is now and forever a part of my life is my camping urinal. Through the trip I developed a method of utilizing this important tool, that allowed me to relieve myself, without lifting my head from the pillow. (Once this unique method is patented I plan to share the technique and product with the masses).
2. I will never forget the power of positive thinking after climbing Kili with this group. Bringing joy into what seems to be impossibly hopeless moments was our group’s shining ability. Without the hope and joy that our group brought into each meal, hike, interaction I would not have been able to reach the summit.
Annie.
1. Chewy energy gummies quickly became an essential due to bad nausea
2. “Tea time!” In John Simons voice David.
😅😅
1.Ditto Adam. Portable, tent urinal. Game changer.
2.Big picture just being with my kids and seeing what they had in them in such difficult situations. Very proud. I also remember being very relieved and happy getting to ride in a van (not walking) back to the hotel from the park listening (and some singing along) to a perfect week-ending high-energy playlist with THE DREAM TEAM. As I gradually realized the risk and vulnerability we all shared up the mountain, I worried for all of us in different ways and at different times. The van ride was the first really safe / “we’re out of the woods” moment I’d had in a week+. And it felt great.
Emily.
1. My $20 Amazon slippers that looked like dog shoes. the slippers were amazing because when you’ve been in your hiking boots all day it was so nice to have something loose and cozy on your feet! And it’s also great for when you wake up to go to the bathroom a thousand times in the middle of the night cause you can just slide them on!!
2. One moment that stands out to me is when we ran into the porter (who we had seen previously and who Whitney gave her jacket to) on the day day that it was pouring rain and we were crossing the river. Gabriel didn’t even hesitate and walked back over and helped him carry the bag across. I think it just showed humility and Gabriel’s willingness to serve!!
But also there is nothing like getting to the top of the mountain that you had spent 5 days in the cold and rain trying to get to questioning if it was even worth it- it was worth it!! It was an amazing feeling!!
Jordan.
1. Definitelyyy celsius and electrolyte packets. There is absolutely no way I would have made it up that mountain without the help of those two things.
2. My goodness, how am I supposed to pick one!? There were so many incredible moments & views, but honestly the one that stood out to me the most was when we had a glimpse of sunshine after having to endure a few days of the cold and rain. As we started our hike for the day, Emily turned on the Song of Ascent and then I overheard Annie ask the question of “when was the last time we truly depended on and NEEDED the Lord?” And it just stuck out to me SO much — Back at home, we are so quick to disregard the Lord when all our “needs” are being met, but when the going gets tough, we are quick to call on Him for help. It was convicting and reminded me of our constant need of Him despite our circumstances.
Josh.
1.The utility flashlight I had came in very handy - it lit up my tent well and I could attach it to my jacket or shirt so I could comfortably wear something else on my head
2. Watching John Simon lose his breath from laughing at the “It’s MY SWAMP” / Shrek joke.
Mary Van.
1.Crocs. Waterproof. Big. Perfect to slip into at the campsite.
2. Coming down from the summit, Mishak and Abraham met us at Base Camp with pineapple juice to celebrate. Mishak gives me a hug and says, “Mary Mary, congratulations. Dream come true. Dream come true.”
MJ.
1. I journaled the first days (so bible and journal) but once I got sick, I don’t know what I would have done without old school earbuds and a downloaded audio book!!
2. I remember clear as day when we were right at the top. I was still moving one step at a time while needing to stop every ten to put my hands on my knees. But I looked up this time and saw it. The sign that told us we made it to the tallest point in Africa. “Gabriel, is that it? Did we make it?” He replied, “you made it”. I burst into tears which felt like bursting through a finish line ribbon. I’ll never forget it.
Whitney.
1. Large plastic baggies to use for sopping wet clothing/socks
2. Watching the porters bear the load of our bags and all camping material on their back and/or top of head each and every day.
This concludes the writing of the Open Journal to our friends, family and sponsors.
Signing Off,
One Team. One Dream.
Beyond Adventures Kilimanjaro Trip January 2024
PS. Oh wait.... The Tumble Dashboard - how could I forget?
“Daddy takes a tumble” (David): 4 All other teammates combined: 1 So, I guess I win?