The Epilogue ~ A Journey to the Top of Kilimanjaro

I emerged at last, stumbled a few steps in the mud and then I saw it: an ethereal mountain emerging from a tossing sea of clouds framed between two dark barracks – a massive, blue-black tooth of sheer rock inlaid with azure glaciers, austere yet floating fairy-like on the near horizon. It was the first 17,000-foot peak I had ever seen. I stood gazing until the vision disappeared among the shifting cloud banks. For hours afterwards I remained spell-bound. I had definitely fallen in love. ~ Felice Benuzzi on seeing Mount Kenya for the first time.

Driving on that dirt road in Tanzania hour after our arrival in Moshe, my first sighting of the magnificent 19,341-foot peak I was about to climb, too left me standing in complete and utter awe, completely spell-bound.  I too, fell instantly in love.

Even though our journey to the summit is now over, the story cannot end without this one final post.  Right from the beginning when I announced my crazy idea to go and climb a mountain that is almost 6,000 metres above sea level, a small army of amazing people rallied around me, offering words of encouragement and support. There really is no fitting way to end off such an incredible story that was our Journey to the Top of Kilimanjaro, but here goes, in no particular order…

Donna McTaggart (Kili Team Member): So many years of talking about this dream and finally months of talking and planning and putting it all together.  Your patience and understanding is a gift you gave to me.  Even long before we left, when the stress began to hit you had all the right words to say.  What an amazing gift to share such an incredible journey with you, my friend. I will never forget that moment you stopped in front of me as we walked in single file from Stella Point to the summit. You told me to “look there.” I looked up and there in the distance was the new ugly green sign announcing the summit we had longed to see. We both cried and hugged. We were going to make it!

Judi Krugan (Kili Team Member):  I pride myself on being an endless positive, the glass is always half full junkie, like is just better that way! Summit night was the hardest thing we have all ever done, as we all came to find out in those dark, cold hours of the night.  Focusing on my breathing and putting one foot in front of the other, I desperately wanted to shout out to the team words of encouragement but the words were frozen in the my throat and I just didn’t have the strength or energy to even whisper them.  Every now and again out of the darkness, your voice filled the air, as if taking the words right out of my mouth as we climbed that agonizingly steep summit slope.  I will never forget that.  BARCEEEEELONNNNNA, aah yes, Judi was here. Your spark, energy and laughter lit up the mountain slopes, every day!

Simon Bates (Kili Team Member): Sometimes we are somebody’s hero and we don’t even know.  Although there was no white horse, you were my knight in ‘shining’ hiking boots on the slopes of Kilimanjaro.  The morning we were due to leave for Base Camp and the very same morning we had to say the sad goodbye to Sean and Barry, my camera broke along with my spirit. Just as I was getting ready to capture the moments we had all been waiting for as we prepared to make our summit bid and a time when I wanted my camera more than any other time, the timing just couldn’t have been worse. Your calmness calmed the storm of emotions that was beginning to surge inside of me, when I felt everything unexpectedly begin to fall apart.  You disappeared and re-appeared with duct tape, you took my camera as I fought back the tears and in an instant you patched it up and got it working again.  But that is not where it ends, as on that crazy summit night as we stopped to take a break, the icy wind was biting me to the bone.  All I could do to try to keep warm was to keep moving on the spot, that was until you came up behind me and wrapped your arms around me and took me in, shielding me from the icy wind.  Every break we took thereafter, you were there, enveloping me in the warmth of your arms.  And then, that hug on the summit that cemented what I had just done, no words can ever fully bring to life what that moment was. I will never forget.

Anthony Lloyd (Kili Team Member): A chance meeting at the airport and suddenly you and Simon became part of our team.  You started out climbing with a cold and as we all know the thinner air didn’t help how you felt as we climbed higher.  Each day you pushed forward, one foot in front of the other, continuously climbing higher and higher, never giving up.  You joined us on the night hike to acclimatise even though I am sure all you wanted was the warmth of your bed and you even went up Lava Tower twice, because as you came down we arrived to go up and you decided to come up with us again! Arriving at Base Camp you got as much rest as you could for you were going to make the summit push with us. Your strength and courage and sheer will and determination leaves me speechless and in awe of the human spirit.  What an incredible joy to see you standing on the summit of Kilimanjaro! You too are my hero.

Sean Walpole (Kili Team Member):  You too were not well on the mountain and each day as we climbed higher you struggled to put one foot in front of the other.  You and Barry were always up front, leaving camp first and arriving at our new camp first so we didn’t get to  see much of you except at dinner times, if you hadn’t already gone to bed by the time we arrived.  But still, saying goodbye to you and Barry was, besides summit night, one of the hardest things I had to do on that mountain.  It makes me smile knowing that you went back to the slopes of Kilimanjaro this year and you successfully summited!

Barry Bezuidenhout (Kili Team Member): The day we went up Lava Tower, you were already in our next camp.  We all know what happened after that.  Night fell and we were caught unexpectedly hiking in the pitch black of night down a steep incline.  Some without lights, some without warm extras like gloves and beanies, people falling and people losing their way in the dark. Exhausted we inched our way to camp, the night growing colder by the minute.  That moment after hours of walking in the dark as we finally neared camp, when I saw you walking towards us is something I will never forget. In fact, I still laugh as I did the moment I saw you from pure delight and relief, my legs giving way underneath me and sliding to the ground. Man, I was happy to see you! But that is not all I carry with me as I left the mountain, your honourable decision to leave the mountain with Sean, your friend, when he decided to turn around and head back down due to illness.  In light of a few things that happened on the mountain, I now realise there might have been more behind that decision to go down, but your selflessness to turn back with Sean, is an incredible gesture of friendship I will not forget.

Thomas Schrick (Group Leader): For all the training hikes leading up to our departure to Tanzania to climb this mountain and for always starting those with a ridiculously steep climb. Then, somewhere in the small, dark, early hours of summit night you came up beside me and reminded me what I wrote in that small black book as to the reason I wanted to summit.  In the cold night air, the tears burned my eyes as everything in my body hurt and complete and utter exhaustion took over, I found that extra bit of strength to keep pushing forward some more, thank you!

Dixon (Lead Guide):  Gosh, where do I begin! First and foremost, for looking after my friend, Donna, on summit night. You walked her up that mountain and the two of you led our team all the way to the summit.  There is nothing scarier than seeing your friend out cold, but in hindsight I am glad to know it was just sleep! You guided her and supported her, never once letting go. On our breaks on summit night for helping me unwrap my snack bar even though in the end all I could manage was one tiny bite before asking you to put it back in my backpack for me. For helping me sip my water in those early hours of the morning as we made our way up to the summit and for reminding me to drink.  At one point you even took my hands and rubbed them between yours to help keep them warm. For bringing us all a choice of tea, coffee or hot chocolate every single morning in our tents with just the biggest smile on your face, thank you!

Dixon and Moses waking us up with a choice of coffee, tea or hot chocolate!

Moses (Guide): For ‘running’ ahead on summit night and getting our hot tea ready for our arrival at Stella Point, and for carrying up proper ceramic mugs for us to drink out of.  You are surely the best!! Not to forget each morning, along with Dixon, bringing us our choice of tea, coffee or hot chocolate to wake us up. Always with a smile on your face and a hearty good morning! On summit night, between you and Milton, for carrying out trekking poles and our backpacks, lightening our load as our legs became so heavy and hard to lift as we climbed to the summit, for taking our hand and arms and guiding our steps as the exhaustion of summit night took over, thank you!

Milton (Guide): On our second day on the mountain you serenaded me on the slopes of Kilimanjaro with the Kilimanjaro song and again on summit night you sang those words as you walked on my left. It was all I needed to hear. Along with Moses, for carrying our backpacks and trekking poles, for asking us if we were doing okay and for taking our hands and arms and supporting and guiding our footsteps as our eyes began to close.  The quite one who was always by our side, watching over us and guiding us always, thank you!

Milton, the quite one, singing serenades and always watching over us!

The Porters: Your strength carrying all our ‘luggage’, tents, food, water, our toilet, and anything else camp related is plainly, incredible! Always a friendly “Jambo”as you passed us, camp always set up so nicely by the time we arrived and again taken down when we left each morning.  Those slopes are your home and what is amazing for us to watch is that it really is just another day in the office for all of you.  You all do your job so well.  For everything that you all did on that mountain for us. We owe so much of our summit to all of you, thank you!

The porters, always carrying up incredible loads even up the great, vertical Barranco Wall!

Dawson (Our Cook): Without your food I would never have had the energy to make it all the way up to the top of that mountain.  You looked after us like we were living in a five-star hotel on that mountain, thank you!

Dawson, our cook, cooking up a storm in the kitchen tent!

Hilary (Our Waiter): Service with a smile morning, noon and night! You brought us our food, checked we had everything we needed and then cleared everything away when we were done, thank you!

Hilary standing at the back, our amazing waiter, who even in the middle of nowhere on the mountain set up a table for our lunch stop! Service with a smile!

To my ground support crews:

Lucille Benjamin:  My friend, for always sharing my blog posts and my fundraising page with all your friends and family.  Not only helping me raise funds, but helping me spread awareness about Cystic Fibrosis, thank you!

Margi Sawyer: For always checking in to see how things were going prior to our departure, for your card that arrived in my post box from overseas with words of encouragement and well wishes before I left, along with a cash donation for my fundraising. Your words of encouragement came all the way to the top with me, thank you!

My family – Mom, Dad, Jason my brother, Lindsay my sister-in-law, and Ruth: A long, long time ago I announced I was going to climb Kilimanjaro.  I don’t think any of you really believed me! In those three years prior to me leaving for this epic adventure I believed without a doubt in my mind I was going and from there on out birthdays and Christmas at first became requests for any gifts related to hiking and the first year you guys spoilt me rotten, awesome trekking poles and backpacks and vouchers for hiking stores.  You guys showered me with apparel.  The 2nd year prior to leaving I asked if we could limit Christmas presents to just R200 per person in order for me to save for my trip and then the last year before I left was a request to scrap Christmas presents all together and only to buy for the two baby girls.  Even if at first you didn’t really believe I would get there, thanks for believing and for all the incredible support in the run up to finally getting on that plane, thank you! It might have taken me a while, but I made it!

Natalie Reynolds: My best friend, for never doubting I could do this, for supporting my blog as it started and for sharing my blog and fundraising page with everyone you knew and for helping me raise funds for Cystic Fibrosis and awareness of this illness. For the gift of a book you bought me with the most beautiful inscription inside, one that I read before I left for the summit.  For your text messages of support and encouragement while I was on the mountain and for sharing messages of support from others back home.  It was amazing to have a piece of home with me on the mountain each and every day, for your friendship, support and love, thank you for it all!

Rodger Williams: For the barrage of information you shared with me and for all the chats not only about Kilimanjaro but about Africa. For following my journey and for your incredible support, thank you! Maybe, just maybe, you’ll join us for our next mountain climb?

David & Janice Walker: It is hard to find the right words to convey what I really want to say and I doubt I ever will be able to. Your emails of encouragement and support, for following my journey on my blog and for staying in touch all these years, thank you! I know it isn’t always easy to read and remember.  Your daughter was my best friend, I climbed this mountain for her.

Tracy Walker: 2012 was a crazy year for us, jumping out of planes and climbing ridiculously high mountains, but we did it all. Your sister would be proud I think. I know too for you it can’t be easy to always read and remember. Thank you for your support and for inspiring me all those years ago when I was just 13 years old to become an organ donor.  I never knew back then just how important doing that would become later in life. I guess a soul always knows.  Your last words of encouragement posted on my Facebook wall right before I left was printed out and came with me all the way to the summit.  It was one of the messages I read for strength, hours before I summited.  Thank you for it all!

Carol Furlonger and to all the nurses and staff at the Johannesburg Hospital Adult CF Unit: Your support and encouragement as I approached this journey was just astounding, thank you! Thank you for all the amazing support you give to those living with CF and for all the work you tirelessly do to help those living with CF.

To My Blog Readers: This blog was created and born so that my loved one’s and anyone interested could follow my journey up this incredible mountain. This blog was created to help me raise awareness for Cystic Fibrosis. This blog was created in honour and in memory of my best friend, Emma Walker, the friend who showed me how to live. Thank you for following, for reading and for always coming back to read more. It is because of you that this blog has been such a success, so thank you!

To Everyone Who Donated: Too many names to mention but you all know who you are. You helped me raise over R20,000 for Cystic Fibrosis. There will never be words to convey my thanks for your love and support.  It means more than the world to me and I believe one day soon we will turn CF into Cure Found. Thank you for helping someone with CF breathe easier!

To My Kilimanjaro Team: There really are no words to fully capture what we shared on that mountain.  But you were all there so I think you already know. For all the crazy moments on those slopes, for the laughter, the tears, the pain, the joy, the support, the crazy photo taking, the camaraderie, and for sharing a bit of yourself with me as we journeyed up Kili’s slopes.  I have the best memories of our days spent on the mountain and will forever carry those special times we shared.  Thank you for been a part of my journey and most of all thank you for sharing all of your photos and for allowing me to use the best of the best on my blog’s Kili story. A lifetime adventure that started as strangers, but we left as friends, thank you!

Our Incredible Team: From the back left to the right we have Simon, me, Barry, Donna, Sean, Thomas. In front we have Anthony and Judi.

Because I have loved life, I shall have no sorrow to die.
I have sent up my gladness on wings, to be lost in the blue of the sky.
I have run and leaped with the rain, I have taken the wind to my breast.
My cheek like a drowsy child to the face of the earth I have pressed.
Because I have loved life, I shall have no sorrow to die.

I have kissed young Love on the lips, I have heard his song to the end.
I have struck my hand like a seal in the loyal hand of a friend.
I have known the peace of heaven, the comfort of work done well.
I have longed for death in the darkness and risen alive out of hell.
Because I have loved life, I shall have no sorrow to die.

I give a share of my soul to the world where my course is run.
I know that another shall finish the task I must leave undone.
I know that no flower, nor flint was in vain on the path I trod.
As one looks on a face through a window, through life I have looked on God.
Because I have loved life, I shall have no sorrow to die. ~ Amelia Josephine Burr

Our journey on the slopes of Kilimanjaro has come to an end. In countless ways I feel stronger, wiser and it has left me with a desire to explore all that life has to offer to me. The slopes of this majestic mountain taught me perseverance, showing me how much further I could push myself when I thought I just couldn’t go on anymore. It showed me compassion for others and compassion for myself, it taught me how to laugh when the going was tough, it taught me about friendship, honour and integrity.  Everyone needs to go through a life changing experience in order to realise who they are, what they are made of and what they can be.  On the mountain strangers became friends and I’ve brought back thousands of memories and an insatiable desire to live.

I have left this mountain richer in every sense.

~On Friday, 13th July 2012 at 8:45am, I reached the summit of Kilimanjaro! ~

Number 7 on my bucket list has officially been ticked!

~ For Emma Walker ~

Seven Days Worth of Dirt, Squeals of Delight With Outbursts of Dance and Playing In The Mud ~ A Journey to the Top of Kilimanjaro

Day Seven

Saturday, 14^th July 2012

From: Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate

Altitude: 3100m asl to 1640m

Habitat: Rain Forest

Hiking Time: 3 hours

Distance:15km

As our last day on the mountain dawned, the joy of summiting Kilimanjaro was enveloped with a touch of sadness.  For the last six days we had journeyed up this mountain, sharing our lives, laughter, fears, dreams and even tears with our team mates. There is really no way to describe what happens on a mountain like this, but your lives become entwined with each other and you are forever bonded.

The morning started like all the other mornings, we were awoken early with a choice of steaming hot tea, coffee or hot chocolate by our amazing guides knocking on our tent. Then a bowl of water is placed outside your tent for your morning “bath”. I was going to miss all these rituals. In the tent across the way, Judi and Simon could be heard with their morning banter and laughter. This is what life of the mountain was all about. The roughing it, the camaraderie and the highs and the lows ~ all rolled into one. This might not be for everyone but for me there is something magical about going out into the wilderness. You come back more than you ever were before, having gained so much!

For the first time in days, arriving at breakfast I was feeling slightly hungry and couldn’t wait for Hilary to serve our breakfast. Although still tired, we were all happy and the chatter around the breakfast table was filled with our personal stories of our summit the night/morning before.

As we waited for breakfast, Thomas took out his camera and turned it onto video mode.  Too tired to do the post-summit interviews last night, it was time to capture our thoughts about our summit experience the day before. The raw emotions of the post-summit feelings coming through, and as I spoke I had a lump in my throat and the thought of what I had achieved and the thought of Emma had the tears ready to spill over again…. The paranoia that lack of oxygen brings and what it makes you think, some tips for future climbers and the sheer will just to get to the top! This is our post-summit interview.

As we finished with our interviews, Hilary was ready to serve our breakfast for the last time.

Me and Hilary, our amazing waiter who looked after us at each meal time.

Enjoying our last breakfast together on the mountain after successfully summiting earlier that morning.

As we ate, we continued to talk about our journey to the summit. We shared what we remembered, we shared the pain, the frustration and the agony that is summiting a mountain like this, and then we talked about the joy of standing on the summit. Nothing could take the smiles off our faces as we sat in the mess tent for the last time chatting. Every now and again, like Judi had mentioned in her interview, a wave of sadness would wash over me. I was going to miss these guys. In the past six days we had shared so much and it was strange to think that by tomorrow we would be saying goodbye each other.

After breakfast we packed up our bags one final time and laid out our water “bladders” to be filled up by our porters for our journey down. Once we were all ready, we were called over to an opening next to our camp site where all our porters and guides had gathered.  It was time to say farewell.  First Thomas spoke to all the porters with Milton translating into Swahili so that they could all understand, letting them know what their tips from us for this trip would be. As they were each told what they would be getting, squeals of delight escaped their lips, the joy undeniable ~ they were beyond happy and all their hard work was being rewarded ~ it was a beautiful moment to witness. Suddenly they started clapping enthusiastically and then they broke out into song and dance and one by one they pulled us in and before long we were all dancing with them, celebrating!

On hearing what tips they were getting, applause sounded and then dancing and singing ensued!

The porters & guides dancing, singing and celebrating!

Our porters and guides sharing their joy with us.

When they finished, Thomas  said they don’t normally do that just yet but that is an indication of how happy and grateful they are! Next Thomas thanked our guides and porters for carrying our heavy loads, for cooking our food, for setting up our tents and camp site every day and for always having a smile on their faces. Thomas was right when he said none of us would have made it without all of them. These guys work so tirelessly to ensure we have a good trip and do all they can to ensure we summit. I personally owe so much to them!

Captured on the video below you can see the porters and guides breaking out into song and dance after hearing what they would be getting, pulling us in to join them and then Thomas speaking to them on our behalf and thanking them for everything they had done. In this video too they sing my favourite Kilimanjaro song ~ Jambo Bwana, the one Milton sang to me as we walked on the early days on the mountain and again in the cold, darkness of summit night. A song I will never forget and in fact now have the Swahili words mounted on a piece of wood in my study.

JAMBO BWANA SONG

Jambo, Jambo Bwana (Hello, Hello Sir)
Habari gani (How are you?)
Mzuri sana  (Very fine)
Wageni, mwakaribishwa (Foreigners, you’re welcome)
Kilimanjaro yetu (to Kilimanjaro)
Hakuna Matata (There is no problem)

When the farewells were said and the thanks given, the porters and guides weren’t done yet. With one final song and dance, we celebrated a little more.

Before we knew it, it was time to say goodbye. Asante sana (thank you very much) reverberated around our camp site, hugs and more hugs. Although there was so much joy around, you couldn’t help feel that tinge of sadness again that all of this was almost over.

Our amazing Porters, Guides and Team ~ Kilimanjaro, July 2012 ~ We were there!

The farewell with our group done, the only thing left to do before leaving camp was to pick up our backpacks and take our last self-timer team photo of course. This is Day 7!

Our amazing team had survived 7 Days on the mountain and now the time had come to leave the mountain that had been so good to us.

Our last walk on the mountain was at a leisurely pace, the pressure mounting up the summit was over and the pace was relaxed. Not much different to any other day except as we walked lower the air was clear and crisp and the lungs enjoyed the intake of extra air as we walked lower and lower.

The trail winded through the beautiful rain forest and our relaxed pace gave us time to chat to each other and even though we had already spent seven days together and had grown close as team, it was so wonderful to have this time to talk about the climb and about all our plans for the future and dreams too. We talked dreams and what would do if… I felt like I had just conquered the world, anything and everything felt possible!

Walking back through the beautiful rain forest was the perfect way to end our journey. Photo by Donna McTaggart

A bridge in the rain forest.

Donna and Anthony chatting as they walked together up front. Photo by Simon Bates

The beauty of the rain forest. Photo by Simon Bates

Anthony, Donna and Simon making their way down through the rain forest.

In no rush to leave the mountain, we enjoyed the photo opportunities that unfolded before us.

One of our last glimpses of the summit before leaving the slopes of Kilimanjaro. Standing there you couldn’t help but smile knowing you had reached her peak! Photo by Simon Bates

Taking one last look at the summit of Kilimanjaro behind us. Photo by Simon Bates

The sun was shining above the forest and we would have a dry walk all the way back down to the gate, or so we thought! As we walked we talked of the first hot shower we were looking forward to when we arrived back at the hotel, our first in seven days. We sighed at the though of a soft warm bed we could sleep in later tonight. I for one, couldn’t wait to be warm again as I slept as I had really had enough of cold nights in that pathetic excuse for a sleeping bag I was using!  By this time, Judi and Thomas had walked off ahead, leaving the four of us walking together at our leisurely pace.We laughed, we played and we took photos.

And then we hit mud!

Out of nowhere our hard, dust-covered path down through the rain forest turned into mud. Sloshy, gooey, slippery mud! It was a mess and so would we be by the time we reached the gate! Suddenly our leisurely pace became even slower as we struggled to stay upright in the mess of the mud. I was grateful once again for my trekking poles which helped steady me as we inched our way down. Suddenly without warning someone’s foot would slip out from under them and our conversation would halt as we all tried to steady ourselves. The porters on the other hand, were maniacs in the mud! They races passed, not walking but literally running through the mud. It must have been quite a sight to see us side step ‘carefully’ as quickly as we could as the porters came flying up behind carrying their heavy loads. Milton who was highly amused watching the four of tread so carefully so as not slip in the mud decided to show us how it’s done. He explained that it is actually so much easier to run through the mud than to slowly walk through it. He gave us a demonstration and before we knew it he came flying past us to about 30 steps ahead in a matter of seconds, without slipping or sliding once. It was definitely a porter thing. I wasn’t going to even attempt that because I knew I would come off worse for wear!

Without warning our path turned into a mud bath! Heading down, you can imagine the fun we had trying to stay upright! It was even through places as muddy as in this photo that the porters ran past us. Those guys deserve a medal!

Carefully making our way down the path of mud. One wrong step and we would have been flat on our faces! Photo by Simon Bates

No where to go but straight through the mud! Photo by Donna McTaggart

Our hiking boots caked in mud. We hadn’t showered in 7 days and now we looked the part too!

Up front, Judi, who had walked ahead of the four of us with Thomas, was having her own adventures in the mud.

Judi, up ahead of us was having her own adventures in the mud ~ up close and personal! One wrong step and it’s “hello mud!”

Judi’s boots caked in mud, just like ours were! Photo by Judi Kurgan

Team South Africa has come, conquered and even rolled in the mud thanks to Judi! Photo by Judi Kurgan

Along the mud path, we came across this a man sitting on what is notoriously known as The Kilimanjaro Ambulance. You do not want to ride on this ambulance, for if you are, it means you are really sick and need to be rushed off the mountain as quickly as possible. On a high altitude mountain like this one, the risk of falling ill with HACE or HAPE is reality and one that could cost you your life. The man told us he waiting for someone who was sick and they were busy coming down the mountain. There are no helicopter rescues on Kilimanjaro, it is just not an option so you have to be walked or carried off the mountain by the guides. It was an awful feeling to know that someone wasn’t doing well and that the ’ambulance’ was waiting to run them off the mountain to safety. I couldn’t help but wonder if they had made it to the summit or not. There is no mattress on the stretcher and as they literally run you down the mountain, the ride would be muddy and extremely bumpy.

The Kilimanjaro Ambulance we came across on the muddy path, waiting for a patient to be brought down the mountain. For this guy, it was just another day in the office.

As we carefully continued on our way, we finally saw the end of the muddy pathway and Judi and Thomas waiting where the gravel road joined up with the path.  Seeing the end of the trail was greeted with a mixture of relief and sadness knowing that the trip was now really nearly over and soon we would be back to the hustle and bustle of ‘day-to-day’ life.

The four of us appearing at the top of the last muddy section before hitting the gravel road and the last stretch to the gate. Photo by Judi Kurgan

Muddy and dirty but still full of smiles ~ who cared what we looked like we just summited Kilimanjaro! Photo by Judi Kurgan

The last section of the trail was a gravel road, slightly wet and muddy but no where near as bad as the trail we had just come off. It was sad to know that the journey was almost over and I would have done anything to hold on to it for a little bit longer.  Porters rushed down the last of the trail, eager to get back to their homes and families.  All too soon the noise of Mweka Gate replaced the sounds of birds and life in the forest, thrusting us back into the real world for the first time in seven days. Traders hustled for our business, offering t-shirts and carvings and ice-cold cooldrinks.

Leaving the muddy trail where the gravel road met up with it we found the real ambulance waiting for the patient to be brought down the mountain.

Walking the last stretch of gravel road before reaching the gate. Sad for it to end, I would have done almost anything to make it last a little longer.

Taking a moment to acknowledge # 7 on my Living To Do List (Bucket List) ~ I had done it, I had summited Kilimanjaro! Tick.

Reaching the gate

It was time to sign out.

Our Kilimanjaro climb was over.

I was sad to know that it was over but at the same time thrilled to bits that I had just experience such an incredible adventure.  All that left to do now was to board our bus back to Moshe where we would enjoy hot showers, a hot meal and a celebration!

Reaching the gate it was time to sign out for the last time in the big black book. I came. I saw. I summited. Another dream realised!

The big black book ~ officially we were all safely signed out.

At the gate at the bottom of the mountain, we gather one more time for one last group pic before we made our way to the bus that waited to take us back to the hotel in Moshe.

What would our group pic be without one last sign! Photo by Donna McTaggart

One of the best part about arriving back at the hotel was undoubtedly being greeted by Sean and Barry as we stepped off the bus. It was so good to see them again and to see that Sean was doing so much better than when we last saw him the morning we were leaving for Base Camp and he was going back down.  The second best thing about arriving back at the hotel was a hot shower, clean hair and putting on clean, crisp clothes and I think the ice-cold Kilimanjaro beer definitely comes in somewhere in between!

At around 3 that afternoon we all gathered in the garden of the hotel where we had a little ceremony in which everyone received certificates saying they had climbed Kilimanjaro. On our summit certificate it states that you climbed to 5895m amsl with the date and the time you reached the summit. It was a proud moment  knowing we had done it. As Thomas called out each one’s name to receive their certificate, Thomas would say a little something about that person. What he had to say about me had the tears welling up again. He said that he would never forget the journey that I was on and what I did it for and for the amazing R20,000 I managed to raise for Cystic Fibrosis. Truth be told, I would never have climbed this mountain without all the amazing support from our porters and guides, my incredible team mates and for all the support and encouragement back home and from around the world that I had received. In some small way you all climbed this mountain with me. A proud and humbling moment, this is a journey that has undoubtedly changed my life.

Receiving my two certificates from our lead guide, Dixon. The certificates state I’ve successfully summited Kilimanjaro. Photo by Simon Bates

Barry’s South African flag that he got everyone to sign. Photo by Donna McTaggart

The team all back together again along with our guides. An adventure of a lifetime and one I will never forget.

That afternoon we sat around chatting while drinking Kilimanjaro beer. Some found the energy to go into town to do some last-minute shopping and some slept.

That night we enjoyed a delicious meal together, my appetite slowly coming back. Later that night a few of us headed in Moshe to a local night spot called Alberte to celebrate.

Tomorrow, very early in the morning we would be getting up to say goodbye to Thomas, Judi, Sean and Barry as they all headed back home. The goodbyes are always the hard part! Donna and I ended up spending another night with Anthony and Simon in Moshe before they headed off to Zanzibar and Donna and I ventured out into Africa. Although our epic adventure to the top of Kilimanjaro was over, our holiday was really just beginning for the two of us as we still had adventures in a hot air balloon, a trip to the Serengeti, exploring the Ngorongoro Crater, traveling to Arusha, Dar es Salaam and finally ending our holiday off in Zanzibar.

This has been a journey of a lifetime, shared with the most amazing people who all started out as strangers and we all ended up becoming friends. We went through every emotion together, we were able to laugh through the tough times and cry together at the top. Kilimanjaro tests your ability.  Not only do you have to be physically prepared, but your mental fitness is what really gets you to the top.  An incredibly inspiring journey that I would recommend to everyone! It is a journey that reminds me why I strive to live my dreams. No matter what your dreams are, I hope somewhere in my sharing this journey something has inspired you to reach for your dreams too.

I thought this would be the last post in the story that is “A Journey to the Top of Kilimanjaro” but as I come to the end of our journey, I realise I have one more post to go…. but that’s a post for Monday, so I hope you’ll join me for the final, final epilogue.

~All Photos By Me and My Incredible Team Mates ~