They Survived!! The lastest from Africa!

Brian's message from Africa:

Alive and Well  
   I couldn't possibly explain the climb in sufficient detail in one blog post.  We were in a group of 12 very pleasant people, from the UK, Ireland, and Holland.

Kilimanjaro is an incredibly difficult climb; one that can not easily be conveyed in text.  Simply getting off the mountain healthy is a feat.  Unfortunatly, two of our group had to go down early on day 4, due to Altitude Sickness.  They recovered fine and we met them at the hotel last night.  The rest of us made it to the last camp, to start the final long push to the summit.

The first six days we hiked for 4-9 hours, but the summit push we left camp at midnight for a 7 hour climb, followed by a 3 hour decent, lunch, and then a another 3 hour decent.  

Unfortunatly Cecilia had to drop out early in to the summit push, reaching an altitude of over 4600 metres.  Dad couldn't keep up with the gruelling pace, but we could see his distinct red head lamp ever following us.  He watched the sun rise at 5520 metres.

Of the 10 that remained, 7 of us reached Uhuru Peak at 5895 metres, including both Leanne and I.  We didn't quite make Stella Point at 5735 metres (the crater rim) by sunrise.  We were merely 50 metres below. The sunrise was an amazing display of colour and beauty.  However, I was so cold and tired, I couldn't pull my camera from my pack to take a single picture.  Leanne snapped some from the disposable she had in her pocket.  I hope Dad's will be nice.

Our guide continued to encourge us and assist us with a helpful hand.  I thought there was very little hope of us making the last 50 metres.  Each step caused heavy breathing and some dizzyness.  The last ten metres Leanne and I held hands and perservered to the top.  As we were about to collapse, we fell in to hugs from our chief guide and fellow climbers.  We toasted with some warm tea that our guide had carried with him.

With barely any energy regained, we assumed this would be our peak, as Uhuru was another hour plus along the way.  Restus, the chief guide, however, gave us no choice.  He grabbed my pack and said get going.

The seven us of staggered for 45 min, finally reaching the sign post marking the highest point in Africa.  We took a few pictures (including a rugby jersey and Devon flag), attached our Canadian flag sticker to the post, and started our decent.

I can't say enough about the quality of the guide and porter team from The African Walking Company.  Without their knowledge, experience, and total commitment to our success, we could not have made it.

We'll fill in the details and show photo's when we can.  For now, a rest day before another safari.

Asante (Thank-you) so much for all the comments.  We'll write again when we can.  See you all soon,


- Brian
2005-10-23

Submitted by Lisa - Sunday, October 23, 2005 10:20:06

Comments:

Off to Amsterdam

Brian reported in today that they have finished their second safari and are heading to Amsterdam.

In his own words:

"The last safari was quite good, but not as scenic as Tarangire.  We did see a cheetah and a leopard though, so we're happy about that.  Male lions as well.  The Serengeti sure is flat !  

Our camp was at Olduvai.  That is the location where the Leakey's found some very old fossils, and the oldest footprints known (3.6 million years old).  I think we took nearly 100 sunset and sunrise pictures from our few days here.  Beautiful.

Anyway, it is time for us to leave the southern hemisphere.  We have 3 hours to kill here at the airport.  We'll arrive there in the morning.  We'll check in from Holland if we can."

Posted by Lisa Thursday, October 27, 2005 19:33:09