Our dream they said, the rooftop of Arica they continued saying, the 3rd largest freestanding mountain they claimed.  We met our fellow trekkers moments after our Safari came to an end.  We met our guides, chef, and amazing porters who made this trip possible less than a day later.  There was little time to breathe, but lots of time to freak out regarding our upcoming trek.

Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro is a bucket list item for most people, yet for me, it was an idea from a friend only a few months ago.

I lead a stressful life, I know; Safaris, immediately followed by a 7-day trek (Rongai Route). Although this experience was unforgettable, it cost me a lot of emailing time; 45 emails to be exact with an average of 2 minutes to put each together, totaling a whopping 90 minutes of just emailing time, not to mention the research which can be found here, if you don’t want to go through that anytime soon.  I know you are thinking, pshh, that’s nothing, and you are right.  It is more of a decision-making process, opposed to a time-consuming process of minute details.  Top Climbers Expedition literally took care of everything.

Fact #1: It takes an army to get a small group of 5 to the top of the world.

Fact #2: Mind over matter is a real thing especially at high altitude.

Fact #3: … to come

Realization #1: My job and life is one of leisure compared to most.

Realization #2: People can survive on very little

Realization #3: Our world wastes an obscene amount of food, water, technology, simply things, and we need to do something about it.

Realization #4: Smiles, words of encouragement, and treating your fellow human with respect and dignity moves mountains.

Babies laughing 

That first day we drove 4 hours to the gate, and then hiked another 3 hours to Simba cave, elevation 2,671m.  Minimal elevation gain and a piece of cake personally, past lost cows in the forest, families living in the areas farmed lower on the mountain, and lots of fluffy monkeys as well.  The only hold up was ants in my pants.  And I mean a whole hoard of red ants, everywhere.  Went to take a pee, came back with a party, and even did a little twist and shout along the way.  Luckily they did not encroach past the thigh line, and all ants were put to rest quietly, and quickly.

Day 2, 8 more kilometers and 600 meters of elevation gain later, we made it to Second Cave camp at 3,450m. Not a minute too early, as the rain came down in sheets, and our nice home instantly began turning into a pond, a lake, an ocean, oh my…while the rest of the tents remained 100% dry.  The worst part of the day, however, was the need to take a bathroom break, and the unrelenting rain making this specific task all the more difficult when having to unzip your tent, put on your shoes, and then wade off through our front door, which as mentioned before was no longer solid ground, but rather, a raging river.

Day 3, the rain has finally stopped, however, not before our tent was slightly flooded, our sleeping bags a bit damp, and our egos tested through the storm.  The tradeoff, we got an amazing view of the looming mountain in the distance, the one, the only, Mount Uhuru at 5,895m.  Onwards to Kikelewa camp, elevation 3,700m. Only sunshine and rainbows ahead.

Day 4, we walked off to Mawenzi Tarn Hut at 4,315m.  It was a bit steep, but life was going up; figuratively and literally as we headed straight for Mawenzi peak towering above us.  The camp was surreal, a small sanctuary blocked from the wind, and directly under the shadow of Mawenzi.  You look left, and you see a small lake and Cairns, you look right and you stare off into clouds below your feet.  By far and away the best camp so far, headache coming on however due to the drastic elevation gain in preparation for our longest and highest day to come.  Although, when greeted with smiles, songs, and dance, it’s hard to let the little things bog you down for long.

Day 5, Kibo Hut at 4,720m, and now we are really getting somewhere.  After the initial 10km trek through Alpine desert as seen below, Uhuru peak could be seen as a far-off giant, directly in front of you, but never getting any closer.  Also a constant reminder, that our day was just getting started, and this first hike was only round 1.  This initial 4-hour hike from one peak to the next was but a warm-up in the day that would eclipse all others.  After hike #1, life was filled with food, attempted sleep, food, attempted sleep, and an abrupt 10 pm wake-up to begin……………………… the ASCENT!


Spoiler alert….we made it to the top, but it was not without a lot of attempts to fail at this very task.  Once we set off, my mind was set on one thing and one thing only: make it to the top.  However, along the way, a few of our members had some serious mishaps, and they go as such for those looking for a reason to stray away from climbing high altitude mountains:

  1. Hour 2, Irene our lovely Swedish mother of the trip began feeling nauseous

  2. Minutes later after a brown liquid lay on the ground, she was feeling slightly better

  3. Hour 4, Elise follows suit seeing that Irene is a smart and Independent woman, she decides that feeling nauseous and leaving a brown liquid on the ground also sounds like a grand idea.

  4. Hour 4 1/2 Irene and Elise are still struggling, and I put this lightly, they no longer are carrying their own packs, they are stopping every 50m, and are only going on through sheer grit, and the way back to camp being really really far.

  5. Hour 9 we make it through rain, snow, darkness, and nausea to the first ridge where most all collapse in a cold heap.

  6. Hour 9 and 2 minutes, we are picked back up and pushed forward to an imaginary ridge somewhere in our future.

  7. Hour 11: zombies have come a reality, and I will attest that they are real after bearing witness to Elise pulling herself forward via only her poles, eyes glazed over.  Cerebral edema has kicked in for another colleague, and he is being carried the rest of the way, and plenty of puking accomplished by our two wonderful ladies, and low and behold, the finish sign is glimpsed and we have finally made it.

  8. Hour 12-20 more hiking happens, but who really cares since we already made it to the top.

It was an experience, to say the least.  A test of fortitude, physical endurance, and simple mind over matter to reach the top.  Would I do it again?  I have no idea how to answer that question right now, however, it was a true pleasure struggling through it all with my fellow trekkers, and our amazing guides.  Now, all that needs answering after this feat has been accomplished is, what’s next?