A part of Kilimanjaro’s pinnacle visited
Summit day had arrived, and with it came a whirlwind of emotions and challenges. The previous evening, around 6 pm, our team’s blood oxygen levels were checked, and my heart rate was alarmingly high.
This caused concern among the lead guides, who are required by law to prevent climbers with medical issues from attempting the summit. It was a disheartening realization that my summit climb was hanging in the balance.
Around 8pm, two new support guides were introduced to our team, and I knew instantly that my journey to the summit was in serious jeopardy. These support guides were there to assist hikers who had to turn back due to health concerns.
Determined not to give up without a fight, I spent the entire three hours before our midnight departure practicing controlled breathing—deep inhalations and exhalations, occasionally holding my breath for 30 seconds. I was determined to regain control over my heart rate and oxygen levels.
As the clock struck midnight, we set off for the summit, dressed appropriately for the harsh conditions that lay ahead. The extra layers of clothing added weight to our already burdened bodies, and my backpack felt particularly heavy. The night hike, illuminated only by headlamps, began as we left Karanga Camp, with our sights set on Stella Point and then Uhuru Peak.
The summit climb took us through a rocky trail, and in the darkness, all I could see were the flickering headlamps of my fellow climbers. It became evident within the first 30 minutes that my backpack was weighing me down, causing me to exert more energy than necessary.
I fell behind, and Rutta, the lead guide, could hear my labored breathing. When I asked for help with my backpack, he kindly requested Ekeney to assist me. The relief of having that weight lifted from my shoulders was palpable.
In the pitch-black night and with no visibility of the path ahead, we followed the lead guide in a single file. To keep moving forward, I adopted a strategy of counting from 1 to 100 repeatedly, one foot in front of the other. This section of the climb was incomprehensibly difficult, unlike anything I had experienced in the days prior.
We finally reached Stella Point at 6:08 a.m., just as the sun began to cast its radiant colors upon the horizon. The sunrise was a breathtaking spectacle that words could hardly capture. It was a moment that made the entire ordeal undeniably worth it.
The final stretch from Stella Point to Uhuru Peak was just 45 minutes to an hour, but I was so fatigued that I wanted to capture the moment and share updates with those following our expedition.
I knew I had achieved something extraordinary, and I offered my gratitude to God, making a few private requests.
The descent, however, was not without drama. Shortly after passing the Stella Point signpost, it became clear that I had lost my equilibrium. My legs failed in every direction, putting me in grave danger.
Ekeney quickly organized the two extra guides who had been introduced earlier to help me descend. They held onto my arms as we “skied” down the dusty path in a mad rush. Eventually, I regained my balance and, with the aid of hiking poles, made it down to base camp safely.
Looking back at the trail from Karanga to Stella Point during the day, I realized I might have called it quits if I had seen it in the daylight. It was a reminder of why they hike this section at night.
As I prepared for the final descent into Moshi, all I could think of was hitting the showers and relishing in the comfort of civilization. Lessons and reflections from this incredible journey are coming soon, so stay tuned for more.
