This day actually started at 11:30pm last night. Had a couple of hours sleep only and had our last supper around 7pm. At 11:30pm we set off on the ultimate challenge and one hell of a challenge it turned out to be. We started off steadily climbing, climbing over rocky ground. But it was always steep and always up. We passed through scree (like scoria) and the thought of coming down through that made me shudder. The air got much thiner as we climbed and breathing became more laboured with calf, hamstring and quad muscles starting to fatigue. Pole, Pole, slowly slowly. Up and up and of course it was getting colder with the wind bringing the chill factor even colder. The beautiful full moon and clear night was amazing but I had other things on my mind, like how I was going to make it. Hour after relentless hour passes, one foot robotically moving one in front of the other. The pain in my hips and back started to take over my mind and yes, this was very much a mind thing. After 3 hours I was probably 20 minutes behind our team, I could hear them though! Bruce our head guide had the non-nationalistic call of OGGI OGGI OGGI to which we returned OI OI OI? This happened every day on numerous occasions and I could hear Brucie spurring everyone along with this cry! As soon as I split from the group Ally was assigned to be my personal guide. He carried my pack, listened to my deep intake of air, and heard me groan and whinge a couple of times when the going got really rough. This was a huge mental and physical effort experienced by everyone. The altitude took its hold on some of our team and even though they threw up several times and their altitude headaches so bad, the never gave up. Thank God I never experienced that. My legs and back just fatigued. But still we kept on, one foot robotically in front of the other, mesmerised by my headlamp beam and the back of Ally's shoes. I thought of the hot shower I would have back at the hotel, I constantly thought of Bill and how good it would be to come home to him. I thought of Kylie and David and that gorgeous wee grandson of mine and all that spurred me on. At one point I said to Ally that I didn't know if I could do it. He didn't say anything at all, he just looked at me. It was at that point, after about 7 hours of climbing that I knew I would make it. I wouldn't let the team down - we would have 100% success and I wouldn't let me down either. I jabbed my right walking pole into the ground with some vigour,then the left and said "twendy, twendy sa sa" which is Swahili for let's go! Now! So, we watched the full moon disappear and the horizon turn brownish orange, then we sat and watched the sun come up on Africa. What a sight. Another hour and a half and I was at Stellar Point. Many people stop here as it is considered to be the top of Kilimanjaro, however Uhuru Peak is the ultimate goal and the highest point at 5,895 metres.
So on I went. I knew the team would have made it long before me, probably a couple of hours by the time I got there, I was so intent on getting there for our photo, however I knew they couldn't just stand around in -15 degree cold and when I was half way to Uhuru I see David running toward me, his arms outstretched and he gave me a huge bear hug, both of us crying. He was so happy to see me and knew I wouldn't turn around. And then the rest of the team dribbled down with big hugs and tears. What a feeling.
Another 40 minutes and I stood on top of Uhuru Peak. It had taken me 9 1/2 hours to get there, a lot longer than most but who cares! I made it. I cried.
After the obligatory photos we started back down. It would take at least 3 hours to get to Barafu (all downhill) and then at least another 4 - 5 hours downhill to our overnight camp, Mweka.
All was great for the first hour with a fast pace. Then we hit the scree! I didn't realise how much of it we had come through the night before. With a pole in my right hand and Ally holding my left hand and arm close, we slipped and slithered our way downwards, as one unit. Like being in a three legged race but without the legs being tied. Digging our heels in, and leaning back to maintain balance we continued like this for nearly two hours. It was hard on the knees that is for sure but they held up extraordinarily well. Then we spotted 3 of the cooks/porters from camp coming to meet us. Brucie had sent them up with apple juice and some bread. These guys then escorted me down to camp which took another half hour.
I totally collapsed on my sleeping mat, thankful to be lying down. I had been on my feet for 12 1/2 hours. A short rest of 10 minutes, then pack up my gear, have lunch and start our 4-5 hour descent to Mweka. I was on automatic pilot, feeling very spaced out and very tired. Not very hungry but managed to fuel up for the next phase. I rang Bill and was in tears when I told him I had done it. Well, words to that effect, if you catch my drift. I no sooner got the words out when the connection dropped but at least he knew.
So we start downhill, passing through weird sort of rain forest with strange trees. Down, down and stepping down rocks for 4 1/2 hours and we finally arrived at Mweka. We had walked just over 20 kilometres since we started, climbed from 4,600 metres to 5,895 metres then back down to 3,100 metres in 18 hours with barely a rest. No wonder I was tired. The cooks brought me dinner in my tent. 5 of them crouching in my tent doorway handing me cutlery, coffee and food for Mama. I was totally humbled by their thoughtfulness and genuine concern for my welfare. I slept for 10 hours.