The morning light rose above the mountain and slowly warmed my tent. I had slept relatively well knowing that the next 36 hours were going to be grueling. We would have a short three hour hike to Barafu Camp at 14,930 feet (4,550 feet) – the normal setting off point for the summit attempt – and continue on to a higher, lesser known camp called Kosovo where we would sleep before a midnight rise to climb to the top.
Morning 5 on Kilimanjaro.
Group shot before we leave Karanaga Camp.
It was another gorgeous day and the views of the summit were spectacular. After five days and nights on the mountain, it was hard to believe that the summit attempt was already so near. We were incredibly fortunate to have been blessed with such spectacular weather and were hoping that our climb up would be equally nice. The thought of climbing unprotected for hours in the dark scared me more than the actual climb. I knew that on some cases it could be bone-numbing cold with winds well below zero. Six or seven hours in that sounded painful.
“The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy”. – Martin Luther King, Jr.
I was feeling great both physically and mentally. I was ready to do it and get to the top. To have worked so hard, I had to get there. Thankfully I had no signs at all of altitude sickness so it would merely be a mind game getting to the top. It was not only a test of physical but of mental strength. I learned that when I ran a marathon.
Leaving camp
“Challenge is the pathway to engagement and progress in our lives. But not all challenges are created equal. Some challenges make us feel alive, engaged, connected, and fulfilled. Others simply overwhelm us. Knowing the difference as you set bigger and bolder challenges for yourself is critical to your sanity, success, and satisfaction”. – Brendon Burchard
In the past five days on the mountain I had become great friends with our team of climbers and support staff. What I love about doing a climb is that it is both personal and communal. We all have our own personal reasons for doing it and our own challenges to overcome. Yet as a team, the support and friendship of the group has its own impact and power on the experience too.
Going up through the long rocky path
Taking a break
We reached Barafu Camp hungry and ready for a hot lunch. As one of the highest camps before the summit attempt, it was rocky and crowded. After being there for only a few minutes, I was relieved that we would continue on to the next camp up. My nerves were already racing and a little more peace and tranquility would do me well.
Solar Sister Founder Katherine Lucey taking a little nap in the sun.
It was only a short hike to the next camp where we would rest, eat an early dinner and rise shortly after midnight for our climb up. It was hard to believe after all that dreaming that it was finally here.
Unbelievable, I cannot imagine the inner joy that you must feel: the combination of Mother Nature’s magnificence and your quest to fulfill a dream must bring an inhale and exhale of spiritual tranquility.
Thanks Sally! I want to go back! 🙂 It was really amazing.
Another great installment. As usual you got some great shots.
Alison
Thanks Alison!
I love the quotes that you have interspersed in all of these pieces. Did you read them before you went or just when you got back? Looking forward to reading about the final moment you reached the top!
Thanks Emily!! I did not read them before the hike but found them after. I love Brainy Quotes and usually look there.
I love reading your posts about trekking up Kili. Your photos are fantastic. I’m looking forward to taking lots of shots each day. I leave the US on Friday and start the trek next Tuesday. I’m doing 8 days up and 2 down. The route is a newer & less crowded route called the Northern Circuit. I’m scared and excited but mostly excited and ready to get to it 🙂
Wonderful! Sounds like a great route. 2 down is nice as the knees hurt by then. Good luck!
Travel to India Someday
I have. I love India!!!!
Wow. Tanzania is undoubtedly one my dreams. My boyfriend is half Tanzanian, hope one day I would be able to see that beautiful part of the world and gain some skills on how to write a blog. I am an amateour 😀 Blessings from Netherlands.
Wonderful! You should visit Tanzania! It is such an amazing place! Thanks for stopping by! 🙂
This Is really Nice am proud of m’y Leadership. Team! Please I Will like ours. To be organised.
Oh my! I’m on pins and needles. Why did you have to leave for the summit at midnight? Was it because it was a long trek and you had to return to one of the base camps the same day?
Ha Ha….I’m not very fast Debbie at getting the story out. It has dragged on for perhaps too long but it is so fun for me to relive it. 🙂 We left at midnight as it was 6 hours up, 6 hours down then a short nap, then four more hours so it was hard to make it all in one day plus you must be on top to see the sun rise!!! Something I will never forget.
Lovely! Please tell me you got one photo from up top of the sun cracking through the clouds / mist below? 🙂
Thanks Andrew! I wish I did but it was too cold and I just wanted to get there. I wish so bad I got the shots. My hands were numb and I wanted to make sure my camera would work on top if I took it out.
Reading your blog makes me wanna go there and trek! I am not sure though if i can handle it hehehe…
Thanks so much! It is amazing! 🙂
What an adventure. I remember sleeping against a rock when I climbed Kili I was so tired.
Yes it was. When did you climb it Jo? Did you enjoy it?
Back in 1984. We did it in two and a half days. To Gilman’s Peak.
What? Wow how did you do the entire hike in two and a half days???!!! That is amazing!
Actually looking back it was three days. We hike each day to different huts. Then the third day [half a day] to the last hut where we slept the afternoon and evening, getting up at midnight to make the last climb to the point. It was pretty taxing. I hurt my ankle on the way down. Our guide was holding my hand pulling me and I twisted it on the scree. Getting the rest of the way down was a nightmare. Part of it I had to be piggy-backed as it was too painful.
Wow, that is crazy Jo. What an adventure though!
And yes I loved it. Bloody cold though.
Yea I’m to was cold but not as bad as I’ve felt it in Minnesota! We had pretty mild weather on the summit climb.
Reblogged this on wwwpalfitness.
Stunning photos Nicole! Can’t wait for the summit post!
Thanks LuAnn! It is taking me longer than I thought it would be almost there!
Awesome story and pictures!!! I want to go there one day 🙂
Thank you! It is quite wonderful there. 🙂
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kindly review & comment back thanks
Lovely! Thanks for sharing!
Oh no!waiting eargerly fot the
Thanks!
Oops, pressed send accidentally. What I was going to say was: Oh no, I didn’t realise you hadn’t finished the series. waiting eagerly for the next installments.
I am almost done writing the series! It has taken me a few months! But fun to go back and remember the trip. It was awesome. 🙂