Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro was an amazing experience. One which is very difficult to put into words. I have tried however, to briefly explain what the journey was like.
Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania is the tallest free-standing mountain in the world, standing at 5,895 metres (19,336 feet). It is not only the highest mountain in Africa, it is also one of the biggest volcanoes on earth covering an area of approximately 388,500 hectares. There are a number of routes up Kilimanjaro, we took the Rongai route. This is described in the guidebooks as quite strenuous but very rewarding and the Rongai route lived up to its description.
I undertook the climb with an English company called Across the Divide. A wonderful group of sixteen people between the ages of 19 and 58 undertook the challenge with me, including our expedition leader Brummie and our Doctor Refika. We were also accompanied by fifty two porters who were amazing. The porters could not have been more helpful. They woke us in the mornings and had a lovely breakfast waiting and heated water for us to wash our hands at meal times which was such a treat. When we set off for the day they took down all the tents. When we had walked for hours they would pass us out with all the tents,food and expedition bags on their backs. They would race up the mountain and always had camp ready for us when we got to the next site. There was tea, coffee, hot chocolate and popcorn for us everyday when we got to camp! They made us beautiful dinners, sang and danced for us everyday when we got to camp and congratulated us for getting so far. They kept us entertained on summit night and encouraged us all the way to the top. Our porters and the wonderful group I undertook this challenge with really made this journey all the more worthwhile.
We started our journey at Nare Moru Village on the 17th of September. Each of us were excited but very nervous, at this stage we still had not seen the peak of Kilimanjaro. The lower slopes of Kilimanjaro mainly consisted of farmland, this is where we met many beautiful children and saw first hand the poverty in this beautiful country. Passing through an indigenous forest we saw many monkeys and the scenery was amazing. We then arrived at our first camp-site, Simba camp located in the moorlands at 2,620m.
On day two we climbed to the second cave where we could see the summit for the first time along, with the glacier at the rim of the crater. We then climbed to 3,800m to acclimatise before descending back to Simba Camp for the night. On day three we trekked through the Alpine desert, walking past the second cave and up to 4,290m where we had lunch. After spending time at this higher altitude, we then descended to our second camp Kikelewa camp at 3,900m. On day four we hiked through the alpine desert region which was very rocky. We then camped at Mawenzi Tarn at 4330m. On day five we took a short acclimatisation walk across the saddle between Mawenzi and Kibo hut. We then returned to Mawenzi Tarn where we rested to get used to the altitude and prepare ourselves for the challenge ahead.
On day six we had an early start, we crossed the saddle again and made our way up to the huts at Kibo at 4,700m. We had an early dinner before our final debriefing and then went to bed to try sleep before our midnight departure to the summit. I could not sleep with nerves and excitement. At ten pm we got back up and got ready and set off. We began the moonlight trek up to Gilman's point. We were like a trail of glow worms with our head torches lighting the way. There was so much conversation and excitement as we set off but slowly it got quieter and quieter, as people started to struggle with the altitude and as we all concentrated on getting to the top. We walked 'pole pole' which means 'slowly slowly' in Swahili up the zig zag path, occasionally stopping to take a drink if our water bottles were not frozen, or nibble at some chocolate for energy.
The last steep section up to the crater rim was very difficult. It was a very emotional moment when we all reached Gilman's point at dawn, where we watched an amazing sunrise over the African plains. There were many hugs and tears and everyone was exhausted at this point. Many of the group were also experiencing the effects of altitude sickness - nausea, headaches and dizziness but pushed themselves to continue.
Gilman's point is at the craters edge of Kilimanjaro's largest volcano, Kibo. Only fourty two percent of people who attempt Kilimanjaro go beyond Gilman's point, and it was another hour walk to the highest point in Africa -Uhuru Peak at 5,895m. Eventually as a group we reached the summit and the views were amazing. Kilimanjaro was once a snow capped mountain but now due to global warming there is only a glacier to the left of Uhuru Peak. At 08.03 on September 23rd 2011, the whole group got photos taken together at the summit of Kilimanjaro and it was a very emotional moment. We had all undertaken this climb for various personal reasons, and now we had all achieved our goals. To reach the summit with the wonderful people I had gotten to know so well during the climb was such an unbelievable feeling.
I was very lucky to have the opportunity to travel to Zanzibar for a lovely relaxing week after climbing Mount Kilimanjaro. I then spent two months living in Cape Town, where I had undertaken my social work college placement at beginning of 2011. It was wonderful to go back to beautiful Cape Town on holiday. It is such an amazing city with so much to see and do. During this time I visited the Poole family (of Glenview Court) in Johannesburg where I got to pet lion cubs. I also travelled to Harare, the capital of Zimbabwe, where I stayed with a Zimbabwean family and truly experienced real Africa. Africa is a very special place and I was very lucky to get the opportunity to live there for seven months of 2011.
Climbing Kilimanjaro was the trip of a lifetime, I would do it again in the morning if I got the chance. For anyone who has ever thought of climbing Kilimanjaro, it is truly a wonderful adventure and life changing experience, so go for it.
I would like to thank everyone for their support and sponsorship, which made me more determined to succeed. Climbing Kilimanjaro to raise money for the Bubblegum club was such an amazing experience. It was a privilege to raise money for this wonderful Irish charity who organise extraordinary outings for extraordinary children. Many of these children suffer from life threatening illness, long term debilitating illness or are disadvantaged in some other way. I would like to thank everyone who sponsered me and encouraged me along the way. I am delighted to have raised €1600 for this wonderful charity.
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A huge thank you to my family, friends, neighbours and everyone in Blessington for your support. I am very lucky to have had this amazing experience.
Wishing you all a happy new year full of happiness and adventure.
With many thanks,
Emma Keogh.
