Take Me To Post Comment Form At 5,895 M, Kilimanjaro is the largest free standing mountain in the world and one of several national parks in Tanzania. Visitors may spend the day in the rain forest or plan a trek to the summit with a licensed tour company. There are several routes to the top but Sarah Eales and I aka Neema (Toney Lancaster) began at Maranger Gate, each with our own guides so we hiked at our own pace.

As we began July 1 on the five mile hike the air was cool and damp but as long as we were hiking we stayed warm. The flora, fauna, and blue monkeys provided amazing views along the way. I had to laugh at the mess the warthogs had left – evidence of their rooting for dinner. One could hear the songs of birds and the gurgling of fresh mountain streams . . . I could only compare the views to movies I had seen. If only Scottie would just beam me up for the aerial view of the crater. The three hour trek ended at Mandara Huts. Home was an A-frame building accommodating four people with beds of small gingham print mattresses and matching pillows. Sounds like something out of Southern Living with the omission of heat, electricity, and running water.

July 2, our six hour walk through the moorlands reminded me of the Serengeti, dry and dusty. Upon arrival at the Horombo huts you could see the hustle and bustle of everyone getting settled for the evening. In addition to the huts, tents were set up everywhere for those coming down the mountain on a different route. Beyond the tents, there is an amazing view unlike any I have seen, we are above the clouds.

July 3, I am awakened by a Swedish voice sharing the temperature in the hut - 2°C. My head was the only thing not covered and I had a terrible headache. Tonight, I will definitely sleep with my stocking hat on to keep warm.
Sarah and I were on the six day hike which includes an extra day at Horomobo for acclimatization before the summit. The morning was spent going up to Zebra Point and on to view Uhura Peak from a distance. We reserved the afternoon for reading and resting to prepare for our ascent to Kibo huts.

July 4, we began our hike through the Alpine desert. The sun was unforgiving, with a slow, steady, wind – making the temperature comfortable for the seven hour hike. I arrived at Kibo huts late in the afternoon to have tea, popcorn, and a bit of rest before dinner.

My guide, Hussani, went over the plans for the summit at dinner. I awoke for tea at 10 pm and left for Gillman’s Point at 11 pm. We started our walk with our headlamps but turned them off after realizing we could see in the beautiful moonlight. I stopped to catch my breath for a moment to turn back to see the lights of Kenya. We arrive at Gillman’s Point around 6 am to have hot tea before climbing over the rocks, around the crater to Stella Point, and then on to Uhura Peak aka Freedom at 7:10 am on the morning of July 5. We walked by the ice glacier on the edge of the mountain and could feel the chilling air. What a magnificent day. Everyone had their picture made at the sign and walked carefully around taking in the views below.

We begin our descent back to Kibo Huts. I watched the people from California ski with ease as they go over the fine gravel and sand from Gillman’s Point. When I arrived at Kibo Huts there was time for a nap before packing up for the three hour hike down to Horombo huts to spend the night.

July 6, we began our last leg of the journey, a six hour trek through the moorlands and the rain forest back down to the gate. When we arrived Dr. Moshi was waiting to greet us. Sarah and I boarded the bus to Springland for a long awaited shower and to pack for the return home.

The climb is bigger than the mountain; it is the stories along the way. Hassani’s last group was twenty-two men and women from the American Cancer Society. There was a young man in a wheelchair coming down the mountain on the day we arrived at Horombo huts. Many, like Sarah and me were in Africa working in various programs and added Kili to their agenda. Others were on Holiday. There were people from Norway, Sweden, Ireland, England, a school group from South Africa, Germany, India, Japan, and a few Americans.

Tanzania was an amazing adventure forever etched in my mind . . . and I have been to the roof top of Africa.

Thanks to all of you for taking time from your busy schedules to read the blog and join in the journey with us.