It’s 11pm and time to get up to the roof of Africa! We eat a bowl of porridge before we get going on the mountain. We start hiking up at 12:00am. It starts well. The journey starts up an old lava flow which turned into rocks, which finally turned into dust/small gravel.
This Has to be the most difficult thing I have ever done. It was more difficult than running a 50 K race! I could barely keep my eyes open, and was truly exhausted, which makes it very difficult to climb a mountain. Experience, the lead guide did not want me to stop. He kept pushing me as he carried my bag. When I had had enough, I sat down and said I need to sit and take a minute. This went on for a short while, and I ended up with Ian for a guide. He was more understanding and let me stop for one minute whenever I needed to. I felt so nauseous. I wish I could’ve vomited! I would’ve felt so much better. Thanks to Ian, Remi and the porter who carried my backpack, I managed to make it to the top.
We did manage to see a beautiful sunrise, but my head it wasn’t functioning properly I completely forgot to take a picture. But trust me, it was absolutely glorious. We took a picture with the sign at the top, drank some warm water (yuck) took a video and started to make our way down. The way down was difficult but a lot more fun you can watch the little video.
The descent was something else! You come down a different path, down a steep hill of scree- sand and gravel that came down the mountain at some point. I believe it’s caused by erosion…🤷♀️
We made our way back to our tents with a stop at the public washroom. Poor Rémi went to sit on a rock while waiting but completely missed the rock and fell on the ground! He hurt a finger and has a giant bruise on his thigh.
This does not conclude our day! Once we got to Basecamp, we had to pack our tents, eat lunch, and make our way to the next camp, which was a few hours away. Was I ever glad to see my tent at the end of this very long day.
Today was a very busy day for helicopters evacuation. We saw at least 10 helicopters between yesterday and today. That’s not very good. I found out later that some people will pay for a helicopter after they summit so they don't have to walk to the bottom! Really? Who does that?? Rich people I guess.
On our way down we, we saw one of the Parisian team members deep trouble getting carrie down by two guys. She was totally out of it, oxygen mask, and carried down the mountain by her armpits. I stopped to see if I could help as I knew she spoke French. I gave her some words of encouragement, I gave them my water bottle, and my guides went to help them to bring her down the mountain.
I managed to catch up to them a few times as they had to stop to cool her down I suppose, I helped them take her coat off as she must’ve been sweltering under her giant poof jacket, and windbreaker. I offered her more words of encouragement. I hope she made it out ok.
Climbing mountains is no joke. Somebody tells you you don’t need to train to climb Kilimanjaro, they’re full of shit. Train as best you can, and go from there. I am a very fit person. I trained my hardest and I still had a heck of a time. You don’t know what the altitude will do to you, the lack of sleep, the cold… there are so many variances.
Out of 17, three group members did not make it to the summit. I’m glad that all three listen to the bodies and turned around when the time came... could have been tragic had they gone on.
I’m very proud of Paul, who made it up the mountain, sick as a dog, never complaining, not even once. What a trooper! That was a class act!
I am also very proud of Beth, Heather and Kathy who never gave up. They went at their own pace, and proved that no matter your age, size, or ability, you can do this. Whether you do this with a lot of help, a little bit of help or no help at all doesn’t matter! What matters is you didn’t give up, you persevered!
On our way down we, we saw one of the Parisian team members deep trouble getting carrie down by two guys. She was totally out of it, oxygen mask, and carried down the mountain by her armpits. I stopped to see if I could help as I knew she spoke French. I gave her some words of encouragement, I gave them my water bottle, and my guides went to help them to bring her down the mountain.
I managed to catch up to them a few times as they had to stop to cool her down I suppose, I helped them take her coat off as she must’ve been sweltering under her giant poof jacket, and windbreaker. I offered her more words of encouragement. I hope she made it out ok.
Climbing mountains is no joke. Somebody tells you you don’t need to train to climb Kilimanjaro, they’re full of shit. Train as best you can, and go from there. I am a very fit person. I trained my hardest and I still had a heck of a time. You don’t know what the altitude will do to you, the lack of sleep, the cold… there are so many variances.
Out of 17, three group members did not make it to the summit. I’m glad that all three listen to the bodies and turned around when the time came... could have been tragic had they gone on.
I’m very proud of Paul, who made it up the mountain, sick as a dog, never complaining, not even once. What a trooper! That was a class act!
I am also very proud of Beth, Heather and Kathy who never gave up. They went at their own pace, and proved that no matter your age, size, or ability, you can do this. Whether you do this with a lot of help, a little bit of help or no help at all doesn’t matter! What matters is you didn’t give up, you persevered!
Our Kilimanjaro adventure is not done! We have one more hike to get to our pick up spot. I’m hoping for a short day!
Inspiration- As I was on the massive struggle bus going up the mountain, wearing my Midnight Moose Buff, I thought of Ray Zayhab and his adventures, his training through Chemo. If he can do that, surely I could get to the summit.
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| lights up Kilimanjaro |
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| Finally made it! |
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| two of our group members were carried in this contraption. It takes 8 people! |
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| You can't begin to understand how nice this felt! |
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