A short movie, some pics and our stories are below to share with you :)
ANGUS
Each day we were above 3000 metres, I felt the effects of the lower oxygen as we walked up the mountain ridges. I found this to be very discouraging, especially when I focussed on how far we had to go to reach the next camp.
Each morning, though, I felt better and I guess my body had adjusted to the altitude we had reached the night before. After a couple of days of struggling with a headache and low energy, I stopped focussing on the time or distance to the next camp. I focussed on the individual steps, thinking positive thoughts, and breathing from my belly (thanks Aukje for the yoga lesson!). The view from each ridge we climbed became my reward. Andrew, one of our guides, kindly carried my daypack for most of the last two days of the ascent. Jon offered me positive encouragement. And, Marius shared his energy-boosting supply of sugary sweets with me.
The day before our final climb to the top, Uhuru Peak, I was surprised at how positive I felt about reaching the top. During the final ascent in the early hours of the fifth day, my lungs really noticed the low oxygen and I had to reduce my speed by half. With my slow progress and a limited time period during which it is safest to ascend and descend from the peak, I decided to stop and returned to camp with Andrew.
It was definitely a bummer to not reach Uhuru Peak - it would have been the icing on the cake. However, the trek up & down Kilimanjaro was filled with many memorable moments and opportunities for reflection. I had a marvelous time!!!!!
Each morning, though, I felt better and I guess my body had adjusted to the altitude we had reached the night before. After a couple of days of struggling with a headache and low energy, I stopped focussing on the time or distance to the next camp. I focussed on the individual steps, thinking positive thoughts, and breathing from my belly (thanks Aukje for the yoga lesson!). The view from each ridge we climbed became my reward. Andrew, one of our guides, kindly carried my daypack for most of the last two days of the ascent. Jon offered me positive encouragement. And, Marius shared his energy-boosting supply of sugary sweets with me.
The day before our final climb to the top, Uhuru Peak, I was surprised at how positive I felt about reaching the top. During the final ascent in the early hours of the fifth day, my lungs really noticed the low oxygen and I had to reduce my speed by half. With my slow progress and a limited time period during which it is safest to ascend and descend from the peak, I decided to stop and returned to camp with Andrew.
It was definitely a bummer to not reach Uhuru Peak - it would have been the icing on the cake. However, the trek up & down Kilimanjaro was filled with many memorable moments and opportunities for reflection. I had a marvelous time!!!!!
Sunset at Shira Camp..
MARIUS
Oh, man! 6 days of unbelievable experiences!!!! It was tough, though. I've never been to mountains before (trekking). Height and lack of oxygen makes you count every unneccessary move. So guides constantly remind you to go slow ("pole pole", that's what they say in swahili). Many things about this climb were memoriable. But you would never be able to forget starry nights. Sooooo bright!!!!
One peak reached, six to go ;)
The trees at Baranco Camp
AUKJE
I just viewed the top of Kili from the streets of Moshi and it is hard to believe that just two days ago, we were on the very top of that mountain. It is HUGE, i kid you not! Trekking the area was beautiful. Kilimanjaro has many small micro climats and to trek from luscious green fairlylike forests to alpine moorland with ghostlike trees, to skree desert and finally glaciers and 'eternal' (for how long?) snow is simply awe-inspiring.
Experiencing the altitude was intense. Nauseousness, a little vomiting, shortness of breath. Add peeing every ten minutes, caused by drinking litres of water to avoid mountain sickness, a urinary tract infection (yes, outdoor toiletting with the cold wind blowing does great things), cramps.... all these minor (female) discomforts made sure that the challenge was both mental and physical.
Unexpected emotions made the biggest impact however. Kilimanjaro was the end of a journey and the beginning of a new one, and the final hour of ascending, from Stella Point to Uhuru Peak, the tears and snot froze behind my sunglasses and balaclava as i let all the frustrations of the last 20 months go. Thank you Marius for coming. Thank you Dave and Angus for co-making it happen. Thank you Jon for sharing every step along the way and the road ahead.
Sunrise over Stella Point at 5700 metres..
JON
Standing a-top the highest point of this continent, was an emotional experience. the tears were streaming, my lungs struggled to keep my normal bodily functions going, the heat of the early morning sun was penetrating my aching brain. there were 4 naked aussies, an english man with a santa beard, a large german tv crew and entourage, just to give you a sample of 10 minutes of my 30th birthday. Not to be forgotten...
Mallory is famously said to have replied to the question "why do you want to climb Mt. Everest?" with the retort: "because it is there", which has been called "the most famous four words in mountaineering" (wikipedia)
I cannot say that this was the reason for climbing Kilimanjaro, and I was surprised with my emotions as I approached the summit. Flashing images of family, friends, the long hours of walking through the moonlit night accompanied, encouraged and assisted by a wonderful Tanzanian named Saaidi, a 2 year journey to this peak and a moment to really put it to rest.
I am so grateful for this opportunity
MADE IT!!! The roof of Africa!
Mallory is famously said to have replied to the question "why do you want to climb Mt. Everest?" with the retort: "because it is there", which has been called "the most famous four words in mountaineering" (wikipedia)
I cannot say that this was the reason for climbing Kilimanjaro, and I was surprised with my emotions as I approached the summit. Flashing images of family, friends, the long hours of walking through the moonlit night accompanied, encouraged and assisted by a wonderful Tanzanian named Saaidi, a 2 year journey to this peak and a moment to really put it to rest.
I am so grateful for this opportunity
MADE IT!!! The roof of Africa!
1 comment:
YEEEE HAW!
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