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June 30th & July 1st
After barely getting two and a half hours of sleep at Barafu camp, we were woken-up at 11:30 PM by our guide Sinai for tea and biscuits. It was freezing cold and the wind was beating against our tent wall with prodigious strength. Each of us wore five upper layers (thermals, t-shirt, fleece, windproof jacket, and an outer snow/waterproof jacket) and three layers of pants (fleece, wind/waterproof pants, hiking pants), a beanie, a balaclava, and snow gloves. We were now armored for battle...or at least we thought we were! Putting on your boots at midnight, while 4000 Meters high, in the freezing cold is a mission on its own.
Finally at 12:40 AM, we were slowly making our way northbound towards Rebmann Glacier and Stella Point. A brilliant, bright full-moon illuminated our mountain path. I could trace out the climbing trail ahead by the series of headlamps darting the trail from earlier risers. We reached Stella Point at around 5:15 AM-for alot of people, this was a far as they could can go although Uhuru Peak is only 45 min ahead.
Fighting sleep, cold, hunger, and exhaustion we pressed further now walking on the precipitous Rebmann Glacier. The last 20 min before reaching the summit, your trudging past the massive Southern Icefields and massive 30 even 40 feet high glacial walls to your left. We arrived at Uhuru Peak at 6:00 AM...just in time to witness an incredible sunrise from the "roof of Africa." We posed for afew summit pictures and after 5 min of catching our breath and lavishing in the moment, we were quickly making our way back down. The downhill is fast but it take a big toll on your feet and your backside..lol!
It took us 3 1/2 hrs to get back to Barafu Camp...now that's cursing. The sun was overhead and beating us down!!! After falling, and sliding, and stumbling, and rolling we finally stumbled back into Barafu Base Camp at around 11 AM. Our cooks had prepared a refreshing glass of Pineapple juice that tasted heavenly. A pounding headache and exhaustion forced me to crash for about 2 hrs inside our camp. I had no desire to eat or talk to anyone.
We left Barafu Camp at 2 PM now headed towards Mweka Camp at 3100 Meters, for our last night. Slowly the altitude symptoms began to dissipate and I was regaining my voracious appetite. We arrived Mweka Camp - our last campsite on Kilimanjaro - at around 5 PM. The way down was really gratifying. We were quickly transitioning from the Frozen Tundra Ecosystem to Moonscape to shrubs and stunted tree growth vegetation at Mweka.
The next day was a breeze. We woke-up early and after a big breakfast, we left Mweka Camp for the exit at Mweka Gate...It took us less than 2 hrs as we passed through the dense Rainforest jungle...Kilimanjaro's very last ecosystem. It's a beautiful jungle hike but your too excited to make it to the end and receive your certificate to really appreciate it.
We jumped into our outfitters vehicle waiting at Mweka gate and within 40 min, we were back at our lodge in Moshi Town. Modern day comforts like a hot shower, warm food and a comfortable bed can never really be sincerely appreciated until you come back from a 6 day Kili Climb.
It was our first day back to civilization and I was already missing Kilimanjaro. Can't wait come back for a second climb via the 10 day lemosho Route!!
