“Now I see the secret of making the best person, it is to grow in the open air and eat and sleep with the earth.”
(Walt Whitman)
July 17-18, 2017
THE DESCENT
Waking up on the morning of the eighth day was bitter sweet. I was still elated that I had successful made it to the top of Kili the day before, but I was sad that my long awaited journey was close to an end. After another good breakfast, and right before we started our journey from Barafu Camp to Millennium Mweka Camp (12,500 feet) I decided to record the following video showing how our camp set up looked at Barafu Camp.
Shortly after I recorded the above video I was on my way down the mountain. I hiked slowly down the rough terrain. Although hiking down the mountain was much easier than ascending the trail was not easy to hike down. There were many boulders and cliffs I had to carefully hike over.
After seven long hours of descending the mountain I finally arrived at Millennium Camp in the early evening. After getting settled into camp I had to organize my finances for the Porters’s and guides’s tipping ceremony.
All hikers are strongly encouraged (required) to tip the porters and guides. The porters are the ones who cooked our meals, set up our tents, and carried our personal belongings during the grueling nine day adventure. After all of their hard work they earned it. I could not have made it to Uhuru Peak without my porters and guides. My personal porter, Albert was a big help, and I was happy to repay the favor.
The tipping ceremony is really interesting. After we gave the porters and guides their tip they gathered around and thanked us by signing and dancing.
DAY 9: JULY 18, 2017
It was bitter sweet to wake up on the ninth and final morning on the mountain. I was sad that my journey was ending, but I was also excited to begin my four day safari. It took me about four to five hours to hike down to Mweka Gate, the finish line.
I took my time on the final day. The trail was clear, but muddy at several different sections. At this point of the trip I feel that many of the members of my group and myself were looking forward to finishing our hike. I was tired, and dirty. I was looking forward to finally arriving at my hotel room. I had not had a shower in nine days. I was looking forward to sleeping in a bed. Most importantly, I was anxious to call my family and friends back home to let them know about my amazing adventure.
After a five hour hike I finally arrived at Mweka Gate. Once I took a few photos at the final gate I had to check in at the Park Ranger’s Office. I then rejoined my group and we enjoyed a nice break sitting down and celebrating our safe and successful nine day climb.
Soon after we rested for a bit it was finally time to load up on the SUV and headed back towards the lodge where we spent the rest of the afternoon celebrating with our guides and group members. Once I arrived at my hotel room I think I took the longest shower I have ever taken in my life. I also enjoyed calling my family and friends, telling them about my once in a lifetime awesome adventure. And then I slept.
Climbing To The Roof Of Africa 