Debbie writes... a
true humbling experience! It was hard. The weather relentless. I was
hurting - vomiting, feinting, weak legs, no strength. The only thing that
kept me going was the thought of the warm sunrise on the top of the
summit. It will get better! The support of our brilliant guide
Julius (who shed his waterproof trousers and prayed for me), the amazing
summit porters Omari (x2) & Cypran (who carried my daypack and linked arms
with me to get to Stella Point), the endless encouragement from Martin and
Ann Marie (who constantly fed me chocolates and water) and the team for
their belief that I would make it. It was truly an overwhelming and
emotional experience...
Nigel writes....
We set off at 11pm and walked though the night under a
full moon, so we did not even need head torches. It was a very cold night, some minus 20 to 30C at times!
To say this was hard would be an understatement! With the help of Julius and his team we made it.
It was a very emotional moment arriving at the
peak. I have achieved something that six months ago I had not even
considered doing... fantastic!!! And what's more, all our party has made
it and that was the best bit!
Ann Marie writes....
Making it this far over the last five days, gave me huge
determination to reach the top. Six hours after leaving we reached
Stella point, and I realized my goal was going to be achieved
despite the severe weather conditions. An hour later we
reached Uhuru peak - at which point emotion overcame me as I
looked around at the whole team reaching the summit. We were
all in tears!
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Simon
writes.... A dream comes true! Our party suffered, with each
of us struggling at different points - but for all of us to get
there, just as the sun was rising was fantastic! It was
cold, minus 30 with the wind chill. We arrived as the sun came up,
beautiful. Lots of hugging all round and our guide Julius and the
three summiting porters (Omari, Omari and Cypyran) who helped us
all over the line, deserve our thanks! A quick round of
photos at the top beside the Uhuru peak sign (that had been fairly
well knocked about by the wind that night) and then it was down to
Barufu camp and a 2 hour sleep before we had lunch and then headed
down to the next camp for the night. All in all 13 hours of
walking, no sleep, serious sub-zero temperatures. However
the whole team managed it with good humour and we slept the sleep
of Killi conquerors, a solid nine hours in our tents.
Lisa writes.... I made it, I made it! Nah nah nah! Woo hoo!!!!
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) Martin, Debbie & Omari (our hero) |
) Ann Marie and Nigel |
Martin writes... After trekking for seven hours we reached Uhuru peak just as the sun was pipping the horizon. Earlier in the trek, Debs had battled with fatigue, vomiting and even a short feinting session. Miraculously she regained her strength as mine started to fade. The freezing weather creeped through my clothing until I started to fall asleep on my feet. I believe, in hindsight, this was the onset of hyperthermia. Reaching Stella Point, Omari linked his arm through mine and guided me the last 40minutes to the summit - I hardly recall this...
As we neared Uhuru point, I thought I heard someone say that we must cross the line 'under our own steam'. I unlinked my arm and stumbled the last few metres to reach Uhuru Point. Relating the story to the team, it turned out that no-one had mentioned the finish line. I now presume that I subconsciously related my running and the summit to a finish line. Generally, in running, you need to cross the line under your own 'steam' to officially finish, so it was with my summit attempt.
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) A section of the glacier |
) The downhill begins |
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Summit summary:
Ascended: 2,488m
Descended: 2,479m
Trekking time: 10 Hours 04min
Base camp down to last camp:
Ascended: 6m
Descended: 1505m
Trekking time: 3 Hours 00min
