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Night 5 Mount Kilimanjaro – The Summit

Barafu Camp (4640 m) – Uhuru Peak (5895 m), 4.5 km, 1255 m, 6.5 hours. Total trip distance so far: 42.1 km, total elevation 5032 m, total hiking time 28 hrs 10 min.

Uhuru Peak (5895 m) – Barafu Camp (4640 m), 4.5 km, 1255 m elevation loss, 2 hours. Total trip distance so far: 46.6 km, total elevation gain 5032, total hiking time 30 hrs 10 min.

Knock, knock tea came quickly at 11 pm. We got dressed as quick as we could. Laura commented that she had never been out of breath before just putting on her socks! The effects of altitude. We had 1255 m of elevation to the summit, but it is not the amount of elevation that makes summitting Mt Kilimanjaro so challenging, it’s the altitude. It would take us about 6.5 hours to reach the summit. For comparison back home there is a mountain that I use for training (starting elevation 1300 m) and with a day pack I can hike 1100 m of elevation in just 1 hr 40 min. Which means our ascent up Mt Kilimanjaro was at a pace only 25% of what I could do at a lower altitude.

Since it was projected to be around -15C at the summit we had concerns about keeping our feet warm in our hiking boots. As a family we speed skated as the girls were growing up. Sometimes races are held outside and speed skates do not offer a lot of padding or insulation, so to keep feet warm on very cold days you can purchase neoprene over-boots that cover the top of the skate boot and attach with Velcro underneath the boots. We borrowed some of these neoprene booties and they worked wonders keeping the feet warm.

The neoprene booties that kept our feet warm

After a “breakfast” of tea and biscuits (none of us had much of an appetite), we headed off at about midnight. We were given instructions not to check our watches or ask the time. It was going to be a long hike in the dark. The biggest challenge hikers face at this point is mental, the doubts that creep into your mind as you slowly ascend the mountain. We were nowhere near the first group to set off, but neither were we last. A line of headlamps bobbed up the mountainside in the dark above us.

I do not have any pictures from our initial ascent, as I had put my camera in my backpack so I could focus on the hiking. We slowly plodded up the mountain. No need to remind us to be pole pole, it came naturally. We stopped to rest frequently and drink. I had a great deal of difficulty with the blow back of the water hose. My hose froze frequently, but I was able to thaw it out by having Laura stuff the hose down my back. Inevitably I got a little rough with the end and snapped it off in the cold. Luckily, Siobhan had kept her hose clear so we shared her water as we headed up.

I remember a few bits and pieces of our hike. I remember passing a group where a guy was using hiking poles on the rocky path. All I could hear was the “clink, clink, clink” of his poles on the rock and I can still remember how irritating I found it. I wanted our group to hustle so that we could drop the other group and I would not have to listen to the continual “clink, clink, clink”.

I also distinctly remember pausing at one point to look around. We had approached a little switchback and I was now below our group. Instead of walking to the switchback I decided to step up a couple of rocks to the trail right above me. This involved a little power move of the legs to step up the couple of feet. I remember the burning sensation this left in my legs and how it took a few minutes for me to recover from the short burst of energy I had used. I decided against taking any more short cuts.

One big plus for us as we hiked up was that while it was cold there was no wind. This made the hiking pleasant as long as we kept moving.

Emily kept a journal of the trip and below is her recollection of the initial climb to Stella Point.

  • Set off at midnight
  • Really long
  • Tons of headlamps
  • Blow back camel backs until eventually they all froze
  • Keep tripping
  • How many hours is this?
  • Very steep
  • Very cold when stopped
  • Time is irrelevant
  • Want to stop but freezing when stopped
  • Think we all doubted at times
  • Brain please stop
  • Brain won’t stop
  • Keep going up rocks, scree
  • Dad tells me time (forbidden!) but its actually very reassuring we’ve been going for 4hrs
  • Quickly lose track of time again
  • Maybe a little lighter out
  • Can barely see with headlights on
  • HOLY SHIT STELLA POINT

I remember my brain talking negative to me. A couple of times I had thoughts that it would be okay to quit, as I had almost made it and was close enough. It was an internal battle to keep going. The arrival at Stella Point I think surprised everyone. After hiking for so long with our heads down, pole, pole all of a sudden, bam….Stella Point. It was 5:26 am when we arrived there.

Amiri adjusting Emily’s pack. August has taken Laura’s pack. Laura is quite bundled up. Had her hard shell on, with a puffy jacket and a buff under her hat under the hood of the shell.
Stella Point. We only have only 1.2 km and 139 vertical metres to go.

The trail was wide and flat as we left Stella Point and headed for Uhuru Peak. The sky was getting brighter to our right illuminating the glaciers that were below us to the left as we walked.

Cloud covering the plains of Tanzania below us. The dots of light on the mountain are the headlamps of climbers behind us.
The sky brightens.
Fuzzy picture but shows the trail we hiked on.

Taking pictures caused me to fall behind the group. Usually this is of no concern as I can catch up quickly. It was much harder to catch up at almost 6000 m.

The contrast in the layers.
Laura on the left, Emily has Frosty Paws snugged tightly under her arm with Amiri keeping an eye on everyone.
Just to the other side of this rock outcrop was the Kibo crater.

We caught site of the top summit at Uhuru Peak. It was so close.

Siobhan leading Emily with the peak in sight! Can you believe it still took us 5 more minutes to arrive at the summit?

As we arrived at the summit no one knew yet how much Emily was suffering due to the altitude–she was the only one who hadn’t been able to take altitude pills, due to her illness at the beginning of the trip. Some guy was hogging the sign post drinking a beer so we took in the sunrise that had waited until our arrival at the summit. It was 6:25 am when we arrived at the summit. It had taken us 57 minutes to cover the 1.2 km from Stella Point. Laura felt that was the toughest bit.

Approaching the summit
Laura arriving at the summit
Series of pictures of the sunrise from the summit of Mt Kilimanjaro. The sunrise video takes place over 3 minutes.

We finally got our turn for the obligatory summit picture. Siobhan was very exuberant and if you notice Emily was not able to stand for the pictures. It was Siobhan who realized that Emily was in a state of distress and together with Amiri they beat a quick retreat from the summit.

We did it.
Mount Kilimanjaro

Taking a few minutes to look around at the world that was being lit up by the morning sun, I never realized that Amiri, Siobhan and Emily had departed the summit. Emergencies are another reason why you have one guide per two hikers.

Mt Meru, 4562 m, dwarfed by the shadow of Kilimanjaro cast against the clouds. Emily and I have a deal to summit Meru together.
The glacier
The rugged landscape of the summit
Looking down on the crater
August disappearing over the ridge in the rising sun
Close-up of August

We took a different route down. We hiked to a steep scree slope and scree skied all the way down. I found this to be a lot of fun and a great way to release the tension of the climb to the summit. I was, however, by this point quite anxious about Emily.

Not exactly sure what the camp is at the bottom of the slope, but I believe it is the Kibo Hut at the base of the climb to Gilman’s Point.

Amiri had kept Emily moving quickly down the slope. She had no pack but was carrying Frosty Paws all the way down. Once they arrived back at camp, Amiri questioned Emily and determined that she was okay to stay at Barufu Camp and we could all leave as a group after lunch. If he hadn’t been satisfied with her answers, he wouldn’t have hesitated to keep dragging her down to a lower elevation. Altitude sickness can cause a variety of symptoms that can be life-threatening, so if there had been any indication that Emily had a serious headache, felt nauseated or was incoherent, it would have been critical to get her to a lower elevation immediately.

It took only a couple of hours for Laura and me to arrive back at camp after leaving the summit. There was much rejoicing and celebrating among the porters for our success. After checking with Emily that everything was okay, we headed to our tent to get a few hours’ nap before we headed down to Mweka Camp. We still had some hiking to do this day.

Photo of Emily’s sausage fingers, a symptom of altitude sickness. Look at how tight her ring fits.

Day 6 Barufu Camp to Mweka Camp

Mount Kilimanjaro Home Page

bootwreckers

View looking West over the Tonto Platform from the View looking West over the Tonto Platform from the South Kaibab Trail.

This April will be our 10 year anniversary of our first trip to the Grand Canyon.

It is truly one of my happy places, have visited five times and camped below the rim three times.

Looking to get back sometime soon, but good things are worth the wait.

#nps, #nationalparks, #slotcanyon, #hiking, #hikingadventures, #familytime, #camping, #campingadventures, #outdoors, #outside, #nature,  #FIndyourpark #landscape #landscapephotography #optoutside #nationalpark #desertphotography #grandcanyon #grandcanyonnationalpark #grandcanyonassociation #100yearsofgrand #100yearsofbeauty #100yearsofgrandcanyon
Sunday morning sunrise! There are perks for getti Sunday morning sunrise!

There are perks for getting up early on a Sunday to go grocery shopping, and the mountain sunrises are one of them.

Shot off my phone from the parking in downtown Canmore.

#sunrise #sunrisephotography #sunrise_sunset_photogroup #earth #outside #outdoors #naturephotography #nature #naturelovers #sky #skyphotography #sky_brilliance
No doubt 2020 was a prickly year, and 2021 has sta No doubt 2020 was a prickly year, and 2021 has started out a little rough.

Just like hiking, if we keep going we will see beauty in amongst the prickles, but we need to stay on the trail.

Here's to good times ahead.

From our hike last year Emily hiking among the cactii towards the feature we affectionately named the Thumb, Passage 16 on the Arizona Trail

#teamzpacks #zpacks #zpacksduplex #aztassociation #aztrail #aztrails #hike #loveazt #desertphotography #desert #hikingadventures #hikes #backpacking #camping #getoutside #familytime #traillife #aztassociation , #hiking, #hikingadventures, #familytime, #camping, #campingadventures, #outdoors, #outside, #nature,  #FIndyourpark #landscape #landscapephotography #optoutside  #rightnow #goparks #aztrails #aztrail #loveazt  #azt #arizonatrailassociation
Looking at a fun trip last summer through Yoho NP Looking at a fun trip last summer through Yoho NP with @sio.mellors 

Lots of waterfalls to see in the park, Laughing Falls is a fun and loud falls right off the main trail located surprisingly, next to Laughing Falls CG.

We stopped by on our way to Twin Falls CG after spending the day hiking the Iceline Trail

Like this photo of Siobhan getting close to the falls for her own picture. 

#friends, #alberta, #parkscanada #backpacking, #yohonationalpark #yoho #friendsofyoho #nationalpark, #nationalparks, #mountains #naturephotography #travelcolumbiavalley #travelbcp #waterfall #waterfall #waterfallphotography #waterfallsofinstagram
Haiduk Lake, Banff NP. Haiduk Lake is just beyond Haiduk Lake, Banff NP.

Haiduk Lake is just beyond Whistling Pass as you hike from Egypt Lake to Balls Pass Junction.

Very pretty Lake. We were lucky enough to pass by early in the morning as we hiked from Egypt Lake to Floe Lake during our #gdt hike this summer.

#friends, #alberta, #parkscanada #rockwall #backpacking #nationalpark, #nationalparks, #mountains #naturephotography #alpine #lifeelevated #getoutside #lifeonthetrail #britishcolumbia #gdt #greatdividetrail
#kananaskis #kananaskiscountry
Chasing th Aurora on Friday night at Lake Minnewan Chasing th Aurora on Friday night at Lake Minnewanka in Banff NP.

Sadly it did not come right out to play,  but was obviously a lot of light coming from th North East.

Always fun to be outside in a dark place to see th glory of the night sky.

#outside, #hiking #camping, #backpacking,
#adventure, #adventureoutside, #nature, #landscapephotography, #nobaddays, #adventureholiday, #hikingadventures, #astrophotography, #milkyway #kootenaylife #kootenaynationalpark #nationalpark #nationalparks
#parkscanada #northernlights #aurora #auroras #auroramax
Hiking the GDT Day 1. I was almost completely sa Hiking the GDT Day 1. 

I was almost completely satisfied with or trip on the Great Divide Trail when on Day 1 we finished the uphill to Turbine Canyon and popped out of the woods and saw this amazing alpine vista.

I remember remarking to Emily "this is why I hike"

#friends, #alberta, #parkscanada #rockwall #backpacking #nationalpark, #nationalparks, #mountains #naturephotography #alpine #lifeelevated #getoutside #lifeonthetrail #britishcolumbia #gdt #greatdividetrail
#kananaskis #kananaskiscountry
Morning from Floe Lake with Floe Peak selection of Morning from Floe Lake with Floe Peak selection off the mirror smooth waters.

Another amazing morning hiking the GDT.

Never get tired of Floe Lake, was my third visit and just a year after my previous visit.

#friends, #alberta, #parkscanada #rockwall #backpacking, #kootenaynationalpark #nationalpark, #nationalparks, #mountains #naturephotography #travelcolumbiavalley #travelbcp #flowers #getoutside #lifeonthetrail #britishcolumbia #gdt #greatdividetrail #goldenhour #goldenhourphotography #mirrorphotography #lake
Golden hour! Morning sun shining off of Tumbling Golden hour!

Morning sun shining off of Tumbling Glacier and the Rockwall. 

Waking up at Tumbling Creek Campground during my Great Divide Hike this summer. 

#friends, #alberta, #parkscanada #rockwall #backpacking, #kootenaynationalpark #nationalpark, #nationalparks, #mountains #naturephotography #travelcolumbiavalley #travelbcp #flowers #getoutside #lifeonthetrail #britishcolumbia #gdt #greatdividetrail #goldenhour #goldenhourphotography
Flower Field, Tumbling Pass, Kootenay NP. From la Flower Field, Tumbling Pass, Kootenay NP.

From last summer's Great Divide Trail hike. At th top of Tumbling Pass on the Rockwall, treated to a visual feast of colour.

Awesome day, epic hike.

#friends, #alberta, #parkscanada #rockwall #backpacking, #kootenaynationalpark #nationalpark, #nationalparks, #mountains #naturephotography #travelcolumbiavalley #travelbcp #flowers #getoutside #lifeonthetrail #britishcolumbia #gdt #greatdividetrail
As we head into winter, a shot from last spring at As we head into winter, a shot from last spring at the end of winter. The snow was just clearing from the trails, and flowers poking through to greet the warmth.

Heading out over Rockwall Pass, Kootenay NP, with @kbsymington  and @neil.real.deal .

Had some snowfields to cross, good day out on th trail

#friends, #alberta, #parkscanada #rockwall #backpacking, #kootenaynationalpark #nationalpark, #nationalparks, #mountains #naturephotography #travelcolumbiavalley #travelbcp #flowers #getoutside #lifeonthetrail #britishcolumbia
Fun photo from Twin Falls Campground in Yoho Natio Fun photo from Twin Falls Campground in Yoho National Park.

As night fell I was able to take some long exposure shots of Twin Falls Creek as it tumbles through the campground.

Fun 3 day trip with @sio.mellors.

#friends, #alberta, #parkscanada #backpacking, #yohonationalpark #yoho #friendsofyoho #nationalpark, #nationalparks, #mountains #naturephotography #travelcolumbiavalley #travelbcp #waterfall #rainbow #spectrum #hikingadventures #longexposure #longexposurephotography #river
Top of Guinns Pass, Kananaskis Country 2016 Guinn Top of Guinns Pass, Kananaskis Country 2016

Guinns Pass connects the valley with Ribbon Lake and Ribbon Creek and the valley with Lillian Lake and Galetea Creek. Stunning views in all directions from the top of the pass.

There is also a scramble up the connecting ridge to the east up to Guinns Peak and onto Mt Kidd South.

Great two days hiking with @emilysjumpinginpuddles

#hikingwithdogs, #hiking, #hikingdogsofinstagram, #outside, #kananaskiscountry, #kananaskis, #spcacanmore, #spcarescue, #snowyowlsleddogtours, #snowyowldogsledtours, #retiredsleddog, #retiredhusky, #backpacking, #tongueouttuesday, #canmore, #canmorealberta, #adventure,
Larch season is coming to an end in the Rockies, b Larch season is coming to an end in the Rockies, but last weekend we were treated to quite a display near Taylor Lake in Banff NP

#outside, #outsidethebox, #liveoutdoors, #liveoutsidethebox #naturephotography, #naturelovers,  #retiredhusky, #rescuer
#parkscanada #banffnationalpark #banffalberta #banffcanada #larches #fall #autumn
Amazing sunset over Floe Lake. An early evening s Amazing sunset over Floe Lake.

An early evening storm and the setting sun shining up and reflecting off the clouds. Completely surreal. 

August 17th

Kootenay NP

Part of a 10 day hike along the Great Divide Trail, from Upper Kananaskis Lake to Field, BC

#outside, #outsidethebox, #liveoutdoors, #liveoutsidethebox #naturephotography, #naturelovers,  #retiredhusky, #rescuer
#parkscanada #banffnationalpark #banffalberta #banffcanada
#sunstar #sun #lake #sunrise #alpin #scenery #reflectionphotography #reflections #sceneryphotography
Well, my epic 15 day hike became a totally epic 10 Well, my epic 15 day hike became a totally epic 10 day adventure.

Lots of photos, but I will start with a picture of the adult wolf I saw just outside of Egypt Lake Campground.

I was luck to see probably the entire pack, 6 wolves, they were coming out of the woods and crossing the trail to Egypt Lake, and I just happened to be there with my camera.

#friends, #alberta, #parkscanada #rockwall #backpacking, #banffnationalpark #banffalberta 
 #egyptlake #wolf #wolves #nationalpark, #nationalparks, #mountains #naturephotography #wildwolf #wildwolves #gdt #greatdividetrail
Bathtub full of gear and Frosty Paws. Must mean ad Bathtub full of gear and Frosty Paws. Must mean adventure is near.

Leaving Tuesday for 15 days on the Great Divide Trail with daughter Emily. 

Hiking from Kananaskis Lakes to Saskatchewan River Crossing. 

1st stage is 7 days to Floe Lake, looking like th backpack will be around 45lbs, with tent, food and camera.

Should be a grand adventure.

#outside #liveoutsidethebox #naturephotography, #naturelovers,  #retiredhusky, 
#parkscanada #glaciernationalpark #bctourism #earthexperience
#sunrise #alpine #scenery #reflectionphotography #reflections #sceneryphotography #alpinelake #amazingearth #morningmotivation #travelcanada #explorerockies
#travelcanada #mountainstories #explorecanada #theearthoutdoors #paradisecanada #gdt #greatdividetrail
Amazing backpacking trip through Yoho NP with Volc Amazing backpacking trip through Yoho NP with Volcano (@senioradventurepups)

Volcano is turning 13 the first week of August but still crushed the 12km from Laughing Falls CG to view Twin Falls and back to the car via the connector.

Volcano not a big fan of water falls, or me sticking the camera in her face, her expression says it all. But Twin Falls is beautiful and I caught a small rainbow at the bottom.

Had a blast with her, she is always keen to go, jst not as far as before.

#friends, #alberta, #parkscanada #backpacking, #yohonationalpark #yoho #friendsofyoho #nationalpark, #nationalparks, #mountains #naturephotography #travelcolumbiavalley #travelbcp #waterfall #rainbow #spectrum #hikingadventures #hikingwithdogs #backpackingwithdogs #retiredhusky #retiredsleddog #alaskanhusky
Milky Way over Brachiopod Mt, Baker Lake, Banff NP Milky Way over Brachiopod Mt, Baker Lake, Banff NP. Super happy to get the reflections on stars in the lake.

Amazing trip to Baker Lake. The resident porcupine chewed a small hole in the fly.

Got up at 2am to take photos of the stars. On the way back, the porcupine was guarding my tent, had to gently shoo it away.

#outside, #outsidethebox, #liveoutdoors, #liveoutsidethebox #naturephotography, #naturelovers,  #retiredhusky, #rescuer
#parkscanada #banffnationalpark #banffalberta #banffcanada
#sunstar #sun #lake #sunrise #alpin #scenery #reflectionphotography #reflections #sceneryphotography
The light favours the early risers. The low angle The light favours the early risers.

The low angle morning rays from the sun makes a rainbow on Helmet Falls, Kootenay NP

#friends, #alberta, #parkscanada #rockwall #backpacking, #kootenaynationalpark #nationalpark, #nationalparks, #mountains #naturephotography #travelcolumbiavalley #travelbcp #waterfall #rainbow #spectrum #helmetfalls
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