Kilimanjaro
For the last few weeks I have been in Africa, guiding groups on Kilimanjaro. The highest mountain in Africa, standing 5895m above sea level, is also the tallest freestanding mountain on earth. The Africans are rightly very proud of their mountain, and alongside safaris and the beaches, it’s their main tourist draw.
This trip I was working for World Challenge, there purely to be a summit leader on Kilimanjaro. The students had their regular group leaders and teachers with them, so I was there to ensure they got up and down the mountain safely. Ranging from 15-18 years old, none of the students had undertaken a challenge like this before!
Walking towards Kilimanjaro.
After flying in to Kilimanjaro international airport and spending a few days relaxing in Moshi, I was chomping at the bit to get out on the hill! With three groups scheduled to be on the mountain with me, the plan was to walk in with the first, summit with them, join the second team and summit with them, before getting the last group to the top and heading out with them… A long couple of weeks ahead!
The Lemosho route is the longer way to the summit, but giving the group the best acclimatisation (and views!) it was our chosen path. We started up through lush forest, with various types of Monkeys following us up, and all sorts of colourful birds and wacky plants. Day two saw us in a different ecological zone, where towering Heathers formed the path, impressive 20ft specimens not like in the UK! Day three was more open and exposed to the equatorial sun, so taking on enough water was a big ask! Awesome glimpses of the mountain kept the group inspired. They climbed steadily to above 3500m.
Below the Baranco wall on Kilimanjaro
A big day was up next, with the 4600m high Lava Tower to get over. A steep but steady uphill made slow but sure progress, and with a pole pole (Swahili for slowly!) pace, we all got up to the top where the amazing cook team were ready with lunch! After a good bit to eat, down to camp it was, positioned below the next days challenge – the fearesome looking Baranco Wall!
Looking at it straight on, the wall looked steep and gnarly! On closer inspection there was a nice mellow scramble up it, following a line of weakness, still no mean feat for the students not used to the hight, exposure or altitude! We were rewarded with sublime views over the sea of clouds below, and off in the distance to Mount Meru.
The Baranco wall, on Kilimanjaro
Another couple of days of easier walking, but almost always above 4000m, saw us arrive at Base Camp. With so many teams on the mountain and very rocky campsites, it was a miracle they could fit everyone on! We had a great spot, perched on the edge of the mountain, overlooking Mount Mawenzi and the plains below. Alarms were set, bags packed and everyone settled down for an early night – ready for a 12am start for the summit of Kilimanjaro!
An inspiring efffort from the students, with no one giving in, despite the extreme altitude, cold, dark, discomfort, unfamiliarity and harsh conditions. Most of them had never seen the sunrise before, and what a place to see your first! The rays of dawn warmed and motivated, and after hours of walking, the whole group arrived on the roof of Africa at 9.30am! After plenty of photos, a much quicker descent followed back to base camp, where lunch was awaiting us…
Nearly at the summit of Kilimanjaro
This is where I left the first group, as they started their descent of the mountain. I headed back over to the previous camp, to await the second group who were on their way up! After a much needed rest day, they joined us at camp for an evening meal before the next days walk back up to base camp! Another midnight start, another incredible sky of stars – though I think the guys were mostly too tired to look up and take it all in! Again, though a little earlier this time, we all made it to the summit. Fantastic teamwork and positive attitudes got the group up. And so back to base camp, to wave group two off and simultaneously welcome in our third group!
Going for the summit two nights in a row wasn’t the most relaxing thing in the world, so an afternoon of snoozing, eating, drinking and prepping kit was on the cards. The group was all rearing to go, and after a coffee at midnight so was I! A cold, cold wind blew across the glaciers, with everyone feeling the chill. Hands were warmed, students fed energy snacks, forced to drink and put more clothes on – up they kept going, though dawn seemed so far away! An incredible display of resilience from the students saw us get to the summit ridge just as the sun rose, which was again, a first for most. Despite some weary legs and headaches, everyone got to the top of Kilimanjaro. Amazing effort. It constantly amazes and inspires me working with groups of young people, seeing what can be achieved. It serves us to remember to push and challenge ourselves more I believe….
Sunrise from near the summit of Kilimanjaro
All that was left small matter of a short walk down the hill. Back to a shower (needed!), back to the hotel pool and a quick relax and feed before home to Pembrokeshire for the summer! We stayed at the excellent Weru Weru Lodge, highly recommended, and used their sister Company Ahsante Tours for logistics and support on the mountain.
Summit 2 of 3 on Kilimanjaro