Day 8: Climb to summit Uhuru Peak
MOUNTAIN ROUTE OVERVIEW
Summit is an 11 to 16 hour day. Climbers go to sleep after an early dinner the night before and are woken up around midnight to being their summit attempt. After a light snack, they ascent into darkness, cold, and wind. Temperatures usually range from -4° to 5° fahrenheit. This is where climbers feel the altitude, so they’ll carry as little as possible, hike slowly, and take many rests to ease the symptoms. They’ll make their way up a trail that is flanked by the Ratzel and Rebman Glaciers. After climbing for around six hours, they’ll reach the edge of Kilimanjaro’s crater between Stella and Hans Meyer Points. They’re just an hour from the summit when they get here! After a hot cup of tea and rest, they’ll begin climbing on a rocky and icy trail to the summit, Uhuru Peak, at 19,344 feet which is the highest point on the continent of Africa. Once they reach the summit, they’ll spend a few minutes making sure they touch the sign, celebrating with the group, and taking pictures before descending to Kosovo Camp. Once they reach camp, they’ll eat lunch and take a short nap before continuing their descent to Mweka Camp. Once they arrive at camp, they’ll have dinner and go to bed early after a 13 to 19 hour day of hiking!
MOUNTAIN ROUTE STATS
ASCENT
Starting elevation 15,400 feet
Ending elevation 19,344 feet
Elevation gain 3,944 feet
Distance hiked 4 miles
Average hiking time 8 to 10 hours
DESCENT
Starting elevation 19,344 feet
Ending elevation 10,200 feet
Elevation loss 9,144 feet
Distance hiked 8 miles
Average hiking time 7 to 9 hours
My Name is : Ndagijimana Dieudonne ( Bruce ) from Rwanda 🇷🇼
I am the Area Director at South Provence.
I really want to share what I learned though climbing Kilimanjaro.
So Sometimes I used to feel like to climb this mountain was not an option for me in my life, so when I got this opportunity I found it so important to do! When we started to climb Kilimanjaro mountain I learned so many things!
I never had an experience like this in my life. After you climb your first big mountain you have a different life, you get to know people and become a family, and have a better relationship with God! It also trains your body to get used to any situation that comes with good and bad because the Bible says that everything comes together on the journey. I prayed to God, “help me get the answers!”
What an adventure. This was my way to be restored because every chance God gives us has an answer behind it. There is either a good answer or not an answer because whatever you do without faith is in vain. The lesson I learned is to accept all the times you go through and keep faith without asking God why because problems are what keep our faith.
Another lesson I learned from this is that a good leader does not only have good words, knows how to speak, or give responsibility, but also a person who does good to those he leads and monitors his work. Even Jesus said those around you will get to know you in the fruit of faith not words you said in front of the people, for Satan is not intimidated by the many prayers we pray, but tests our faith! Faith is what makes us think and speak because we do not live by ourselves because of the one we trust. Drew and Gabriel did not speak many words, but worked together and had the same spirit, the same goal, and the spirit for walking together because unity is not just about speaking, but to do it all with strong communication in order to achieve the goal of reaching the peak. Another lesson I learned from having a relationship with God alone is to do your best work with courtesy and love. Another lesson I really liked was doing the job very well and loving and caring for people like part of your job.
So that is what I learned throughout this adventure. Thank you so much for this opportunity.
Journal Entry by Bruce