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

What just happened?

The days have been long however the last 24 hours have undoubtably been the toughest yet. Many of us started the morning with a 12 AM wake up call from Kosovo Camp at 16,000 feet and tried to prepare mentally and physically for our Summit climb to Uhuru Peak at 19,341’. We all had the same goal in mind: summit.

We gathered together at breakfast after a few hours of sleep and forced porridge and toast in our body. No one had any idea what to expect. It was all our first time on Kilimanjaro, and we could only wonder what was ahead.

We departed Camp at 1 AM and started our ascent. It was cold, dark, the stars were out shinning bright and all we saw was lots of headlamp lights around. Pole, Pole….we went, one foot in front of the other.

Around 5 hours as the sun began to rise strong winds kicked and by the time we reached Stella Peak nearly 50mph gusts took us by surprise. We tried to sip on tea but the break was short and quick.

We were almost there. However the last 45 minute push to the top to Uhuru Peak was a challenge for many. Pamoja, Pamoja, together, together. With the help of our guides, porters, friends and family 16 of us submitted together at 7:30 AM; 6.5 hours later!

Since day one we all had the desire to reach the top. However no one ever knows what the mountain might have in store for us. At different hours the mountain was our friend and sometimes our worst enemy. I doubt anyone would say it was easy. It was filled with highs/lows, blood, sweat and tears.

So as we sit at dinner tonight, everyone all back together again. I think many of us are still processing what happened the past 24 hours. We each had our own journey.

**The journey is more important than the destination.

~ Shawn Kirschner