Elevation: 15,330 ft – 19.341 ft
Distance: approximately 3 miles
Hiking Time: 8 hrs
Barafu Camp – Uhuru Peak
Day 7 Kilimanjaro climb via Lemosho route
Around 10 pm our guide walked around out tents gently waking us up. I doubt there was a single person in our group who was sleeping. 10.30 pm the entire group gathered near the dining tent for tea and biscuits. We were ready for a summit attempt. It was cold and very windy, but sky was clear with a lot of stars, so at least the weather was cooperating. We started our climb 11 pm. 9 guides went up to the summit with us. It was short but very steep zigzag frozen scree trail with over 4,000 ft elevation gain.
You will feel restless and tired, that is expected. Most likely you won’t be able to fall asleep, but it is important to know that you will be able to make it, just keep breezing and pushing, step by step closer to the summit.
Our group was going very slow, much slower compared to the previous days, but we had constant pace. Our amazing guides were singing songs for us in Swahili. Several groups passed us on the way up, later we passed some of them. Constant slow pace is a key for this part of the climb.
First tea break
It got progressively colder as our climb continued. Around 1am we had a short tea break and continued our way to Stella point. Several people preferred to go a little bit faster and our group separated into two; one of the guides continued with our small group taking a little bit faster pace. This pace change was like a wake-up call for me, I felt more energized.
Everyone’s different, but if the groups pace is way to slow for you, speak up. I’m sure there will be couple of people in your group that will feel the same. On the way down, I talked to our guide, Yusuf, about separating groups and he told me that it is a very common practice; during summit attempt majority of the groups split into two, three and sometimes even more smaller groups depending on the pace. Each group will have a guide or guide helper climbing with the group.
Second tea break
Around 3 am we stopped for another short break. I was very cold, I was wearing 4 layers and still felt cold. I had to put on my down vest on under my down jacket. I’m glad I had it in my backpack. We got to the Stella point at dawn. All the way to the Stella point our guide was encouraging and supporting us, he also told us that from Stella point it just “a short climb to the summit”. It is a short climb, indeed; just about .6-mile 600 feet elevation gain. I assure you, this gradual “short climb” will be the longest in your life. We had a short break at Stella point and continued our way to the Uhuru peak.
Uhuru peak
It took about 1.5 hrs to get to Uhuru peak. It was very painful push both physically and mentally.
We reached Uhuru peak 6.35 am, just in time for sunrise at 6.38 am. 13 out of 14 people summited. Isn’t it a great success rate?
3 hours later, at Barafu camp, Rick ask every climber what they think about the climb and recorded it. Here is what I said: “This is great, so great. Honestly, I thought it would be easier. I will do it again! “. Still agree 100% with every word. That was the hardest thing I’ve done in my life.
P.S. Two of my friends had birthdays during my Kili climb, so I made two posters and carried those to the top of Africa to say Happy Birthday my special way.
Also, the friend’s friend had a stroke a week before my climb and was recovering in the hospital. Here is “get better” picture for him.
