Day 9: 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 16,000 feet

Ending elevation 19,344 feet

Elevation gain 3,344 feet

Distance hiked 4.5 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

“The office”

Words cannot do justice to describe the days before, during, and after the ascent and descent of Mount Kilimanjaro. John Simon (our main guide) described the two ecosystems as “his office”. I will try to explain everything we did to prepare, climb, and recuperate from the journey of a lifetime!

Saturday

6:30 pm- everyone returned to tents to pack and rest for the upcoming climb.

6:30 pm- 11:00 pm- no sleep. Only thoughts of a different scenario.

11:00- roll call, 30 minutes before breakfast

11:30- breakfast, carb and protein selections for energy

12:00 am- start of climb. Complete dark, headlamps were the only light used to see rocks and footsteps in front of you.

12:00-6:30 am- I will try to describe what can only be experienced. In front of us, darkness and bright starts. Behind us, a sea of headlamps winding through an indistinguishable path. Some described the path as the Milky Way. Up the mountain, passing teams, some trekkers physically ill and being treated. Some pulled over, struggling with migraines from altitude sickness. As we encouraged each other, our 7 guides and 9 porters attended to every need. Each one of us had a porter assigned to us. They carried our pack, checked our eyes for coherency, repacked our shoes and gloves with hand warmers, gave back rubs, and encouraged us every way possible. We were a true team determined to make it to the last man and woman. When the sun came “up” below us around 5:00 am, a new sense of energy drove the team. We could see the prize although it was a long way away. We reached the crater rim around 6:00 am. At this point our goal was close, but not so fast. We still had 45 minutes to go around the crater rim. The frozen ground and temperatures were in the single digits were our physical obstacles but mentally we were battling lack of sleep and the deprivation of oxygen. Spiritually, one could only conclude there is a God who created such a marvelous spectacle. Around 6:30 am, we reached the summit. I watched in awe as fathers hugged sons and a daughter. Tears were shared by all. Physical exhaustion gave way to a thread of emotions. After a group photo, we started the descent. The descent took approximately 2.5 hours. We arrived at camps at different times. Each team member had 2-3 ported to escort them. At camp we rested from 9:30-11:30 am Sunday morning. After an 11:30 lunch, we departed for our final camp. Our trek to the final camp just above the rain forest edge took approximately 5.5 hours. We travelled through glacial desert and rain first ecosystem before arriving at camp around 6:00 pm. A short dinner was had by all, not much was said. No one could fully process that we achieved TOGETHER. Lights out was around 7:00 pm.

I write this block with tears in my eyes. In my eyes, we persevered through migraines, upset stomachs, sleep deprivation, blisters, nausea, sore quads, spent calves, hygiene, stress, etc. to all accomplish what feels like a dream of trying. I am forever grateful to Drew and Beyond Adventures, John Simon (our head guide and my long lost father), 50 porters and guides, Dunkin, Grace, GQ, Casper, Tailgate, Booger, Rosy, Mulligan, Pac Man, Tight Rope, Hawke, and Potty Mouth. Love to all. To Him be the glory.

Backpack out.

~ Stu & Daniella