Summit Day

We climbed through the night with our guides, Matei and Frumini.  The moon was bright, thereby providing us with good light to climb up through the rocks, snow and ice.  The views were amazing.  However, the night was cold and the snow at times was very deep.  We were very cold.  The mountain seemed to grow in height as we continued to make our ascent step by step.  

Finally, as the sun began to rise, we reached Stella Point--the crater rim--which can be considered the top of the mountain by mountaineering standards.  Here is Kelly as we reach Stella Point and the skies begin to glow as the sun rises.  She seems to be unaware that we are finally here.  

As we rest at Stella Point (5700m), Kelly begins to silently contemplate whether she really needs to proceed to Uhuru Peak--the highest peak of Mt. Kilimanjaro (5896m).  However, when our guide, Matei, says it is time to start our final ascent, she cannot refuse.  We have been dreaming of this day, and she cannot stop here.

As we climb to the peak, we pass around the crater rim and take in breathtaking and towering glaciers.  The vistas from the crater rim were stunning.  It is hard to believe that these glaciers, and all this ice and snow, exists here in Africa--not far from the equator.

We have made it to the top of Africa--Uhuru Peak.  It is 6:30 am, and we are the first ones that day to make it to the top, as we are first to  sign the registry that is protected from the elements in a wooden box.   We take in the views, snap some photographs and begin to make our way around the crater rim to descend.  It is extremely cold, so we do not diddle dally.

Frumini, Kelly and Matei begin their descent.  The fresh snow provided for some great skiing on the way down.  We made it down to camp in record time.

Rich smiles as we approach camp.

The day is not over once we reach camp.  We still have to eat, pack and descend 5,000 feet to Mweka Camp.  The descent brings us back to green trees and thick air.  We enjoy one last evening on the mountain as we sip Safari beers with our guides and porters. 

The final morning we take the death trails down to the bottom of the mountain.  The trails were steep and slippery.  We watched people fall and eat it, so we proceeded poly-poly (slowly-slowly).  Here is Rich and Matei.  Matei and our porters belong to the local Chagga tribe.  After our climb they will return home to their families and hope that another trek will go soon so that they can bring dinner to the table.  It is a hard life.  We can attest to that.  

And so we have made it to the top of Mt. Kilimanjaro.  It was an unforgettable experience.  Will we climb another mountain?  Ask us tomorrow.

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