The End

This was the trip of a lifetime - so far! Thanks for enjoying it with us, and thanks to our porters, guides, Thompson Safaris, and our team for making it so special.

We look forward to your comments!

(By the way - this is written with the most recent day posted first, so start at the bottom. )

February 4, 2008 - Final Descent & The End of our Climb

Today's hike was a nice stroll through tropical rain forest. What beautiful scenery!










JT & Janie on the way home!








After a nice lunch (and a bit of washing off at the first running water in 9 days) JT led the group in 42 verses of "The Celebration Song" by Kool & the Gang.






It got quite wild.







The trekers, guides and porters with certificates.









Pat - ready for a shower





Tim and Joanne







Steve, Karen & Vivian

Looking pretty rough!

February 3, 2008 - Descent

We sure slept like rocks after our 13 hour hike yesterday . After a good breakfast, we begin our dramatic descent down to Mweka Camp at 10,065 feet, back in the Heather zone. This picture is of our last look at Kibo before it disappears from our view.






Here we are at Mweka Camp relaxing. It sure is nice to be warm and able to breath again! We're looking forward to a shower tomorrow!

Beginning of the Descent

After about 30 minutes at the summit, we were ready to begin the descent. We still had about 4 hours to hike back to Barafu camp where we would spend the night. The terrain was mostly scree - and descending was like skiing on rocks.












Glad to be back in camp

The Summit - Uhuru Peak - 19, 340 Feet above sea level

Glaciers! This is the first time I've ever seen a glacier. They were absolutely beautiful. Unfortunately, the glaciers on Kilimanjaro are melting (as are many glaciers all over the world). At the present melt rate, the glaciers at the summit of Kili will be gone in 2015.

























We did it!!!!









Our entire team made it to the summit.










Francis









Karen









A very exuberant Pat!








Robin & Janie

Febuary 2, 2008 - My Dad's Birthday and Summit Day

We leave camp at 5 AM - it's probably about 10 degrees with some wind - but nothing like we are going to experience! We are headed to Uhuru Peak - the top of Africa. The altitude will be 19,340. Wow.

What a beautiful sunrise!

Lot's of rocks

Pole Pole. Neither JT nor I ever considered quitting, but this was a tough day. We walked very slowly, and at that it felt like a sprint. I could feel my heart pounding and was sweating despite the artic temperatures. I felt like I was suffocating. Why am I doing this again?

February 1, 2008 - Climbing Again to Barafu Camp - 15,331 Feet

Today we make a pretty dramatic climb up to Barafu Camp at 15,331 feet. We feel a bit better, because we've been at that altitude already once, and our bodies have acclimatized.

The goal is definitely in sight! Tomorrow we do it!





















It's cold up here, but tomorrow we enter the artic summit zone.

January 31, 2008 - Barranco Valley - Barranco Wall

Some days you win and some you lose. For me, it is very frustrating to be heading towards a goal and have a setback. We didn't really have a setback today, but it seems that way. Our route called for us to descend from 15,213 feet to 13, 231. But, that makes it sound easy! It wasn't!

We first descended into the Great Barranco Valley.








While gasping for air, it was amazing to me that anything lives at this altitude. These trees are extremely resilient. I just wish I could remember what this one is called. Francis, when you read this, post a comment and tell me. Francis will know. He knows everything! The man is a walking encyclopedia!






Francis, while you're at it - how about some help with the name of this one?





Speaking of Francis - here he is with Tim. By the way, Tim is pretty amazing too. He was originally scheduled to take this trip a year before, but had to postpone it after he was diagnosed with Prostate Cancer. He had surgery, recovered, trained and 1 year later was with us, raising money for Prostate Cancer causes. Way to go!


Ok, so here is the start of climbing Barranco Wall. This wall is 800 feet high, and this is the easy part because there are places to put both feet at the same time and it's possible to stand vertically without holding on for dear life!








Getting a bit steeper!













A little time for romance!






Almost to lunch!








After lunch, we had a bit of rain - the only time we had to break out the rain gear on the entire trip! Unfortunately, it came at a time we were descending on some pretty slippery rocks. Not a fun afternoon.






Edwin and Wilson








JT & me at Karanga Camp - Finally.









Glad to be in camp!

Climbing Lava Tower (or not)

Lava Tower is a 200' high outcropping of Lava rock. The climb up is very steep - with small hand and toe holds. I was on hands and feet most of the time. Keep in mind that we are at over 15,000 feet of altitude already - and it's hard to breathe while resting, let alone scrambling up a 200' cliff, holding on for dear life!





JT felt dizzy and very wisely waited this one out. Although I was scared to death, I'm glad I climbed it. It gave me confidence that I could do the climb up Baranca Wall the next day - an 800' climb with a pack on! Besides that, the views were incredible!






The pictures don't do this justice!













Those little dots in the center of this picture toward the back are our teammates in camp. Yikes - we are high up!








It's cold up here - I'm standing at the same place the above picture was taken - clouds just moved in.









Some pretty awesome scenery!








Steve, Francis & Janie up on top of Lava Tower































Coming back down wasn't any easier than going up!