Kilimanaro 5. Summit

We arrived at Barafu (snow) hut around 1:30. The hike had been long. Over a steep ridge, down into a valley, over another steep ridge, and finally up a 4 km ascent into the ice and wind. We ate a little. My handful of almonds and Protein bar were going to have to suffice if I wanted to summit. The weather was getting worse be the minute and it was soon obvious that we had to go. So my guide and I began the 6km to the summit. The 1,300 meter climb was grueling. Each step, a conscious effort, and each breath seemingly impossible to acquire. The snow was blanketing our packs an although my blond facial hair is unnoticeable to even a keen eye, the ice that had accumulated left me a 17 year old Shawn Connery. Stella point (the rim of the crater) was a well deserved resting spot. What others did in 11 hours I had to do in 6. The weather continued to worsen. Honest, my guide, was worn out. The wind had left him dehydrated and at that elevation he didnt think he would make it. I continued alone. Trudging through the snow, step by step, along to crater. Step by step. It took forever. What really was fifteen minutes seemed to be an hour. And although it was a short, gradual climb from Stella to the actual summit the wind and snow covered the view and left me only seeing the uphill.  What I thought was a person descending became the post. Boards rigged together to announce your arrival to the roof of Africa. A porter and and middle aged lady to the picture for me before I bolted back down to the camp. I woke up the next morning to find a foot of snow on my tent. We made the right decision to ascend the day before.

I am so sorry for lack of pictures. They are coming I just have to find a place that has computers that can take images from cameras. Remember I am in Aftrica. And if there was wifi to put them up from my ipad I would. Love you all. Thanks for reading.