Day 9: Climb to Mweka Gate

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

As we woke up this morning I was so excited to descend to Mweka Gate, little did I know that it was a long long journey to get there. Everyone looked happy but the joy I had inside me was unexplainable. I was excited to tell my family and friends that I made it to the roof of the highest mountain in Africa. I sprained my ankle yesterday coming down from the summit and the pain was trying to take all my joy away, I knew I had conquer Kili and I had to celebrate but the devil was trying to steal away my joy. I never gave up and my attention never shifted from my joy and celebration I was leading in front, limping and loving it going down to the gate. I realized that the moment we were hiking up Kilimanjaro I learnt a lot, I learnt that even in hard times always appreciate the small things you get. I learnt that family is very important, relationships are essential and having strong and healthy relationships with family and friends is the best way to live your life.

The love and care that Todd gave Bailey was a great gesture, I learnt that a father is not a monster or someone who you just ask for school fees money. I also learnt that one can have a great relationship with their daughter, seeing Laurel and her daughter, Corrie, bond and spend time together gave me something to look up to and look forward to as I go back home. Emily silently mentored me to be a strong woman who will hold the family in one piece and know what to do in times of challenges. Hiking down was not a joke, we thank God who was there all the time. 

I had a great time hiking Kilimanjaro with the help of Nkosi and Drew. Thank you all for making this possible for me.

Journal Entry by Talent Sibanda (YL Zimbabwe Staff)