Kilimanjaro 2010 Pictures Page 7

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Page 1: 15th August 2010 - Kilimanjaro Approach (7)
Page 2: 16th August 2010 - Karama Lodge and Safari (77)
Page 3: 17th August 2010 - Trek Day 1: Start to Machame Camp (51)
Page 4: 18th August 2010 - Trek Day 2: Machame Camp to Barranco Camp (72)
Page 5: 19th August 2010 - Trek Day 3: Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp (110)
Page 6: 20th and 21st August 2010 - Trek Days 4 and 5: Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp and Shabbat (91)
Page 7 (This Page): 22nd August 2010 - Trek Day 6: Summit Day (53)
Page 8: 23rd August 2010 - Trek Day 7: Barafu Camp to Mweka Camp (58)
Page 9: 24th August 2010 - Trek Day 8: Mweka Camp to Exit (33)
Page 10: 25th August 2010 - Kilimanjaro Exit (10)

Total: 562 Pictures

Photos 22nd August 2010 - Trek Day 6: Summit Day (53 Pictures)

Location	Altitude (m / ft)	Distance	Altitude Gained / Lost
Barafu Huts	4,662m / 15,295ft
Kosovo Camp	4,863m / 15,955ft		201m / 660ft Gained
Stella Point	5,745m / 18,848ft		882m / 2,893ft Gained
Uhuru Peak	5,895m / 19,341ft		150m / 493ft Gained

Total		4.86km (9.72km Round Trip)	1,233m / 4,046ft Gained (then Lost)

Barafu Camp to Stella Point

I woke up at 4AM after a very noisy and windy night. The first thing I noticed when I got out of the tent was a brilliantly shining upside down Orion low but prominent in the northern sky. Meanwhile there were already head torches flickering away high up on Kibo just under Stella Point. Breakfast was served to my tent in the dark as the dining and loo tents were still down after they didn't stand a chance in those vicious gusts of wind. Then a wait while the religious guys davened Shacharit. Eventually we set off at 6AM, just before dawn.

Note that most people ascend in the night, but I am glad we did it by daylight as we had more to see and it wasn't quite so bitterly cold. I was more than happy to be able to clearly see the path ahead in daylight too, as well as admire the gorgeous scenery getting ever more breathtaking the higher we got.

So the path up the ridge was steep and tricky. The sun rose spectacularly close to Mawenzi, whose rocky spires were silhouetted beautifully as a result, as we ascended the ridge along the path leading up from the top of Barafu Camp towards Kosovo camp. So while we needed head torches while climbing up through the camp, we were soon able to put them away. Eventually we topped the climb and had a steady gentle ascent across lots of scree and rocks. Before long we had passed through Kosovo Camp and the slope steepened rapidly as we reached the base of Kibo itself. The main path was ice free and bone dry so there was no danger there. We stopped every hour for a rest break and to eat and drink (the chocolate in particular was a great source of energy on the climb).

From this point it was a steep climb straight up the side of Kibo along zig zag paths and over petrified lava flows. Stella Point seemed ever closer, but it seemed to take forever, especially the last bit, to reach as we slipped our way up against lots of loose scree. We had to go 'pole pole', or very slowly, and take deep breaths after each movement, as otherwise in the thin air we bottomed out very quickly. By taking a controlled deep breath between each leg movement, I managed to avoid altitude sickness and even avoid the thumping headaches that are common. Although if I forgot to breathe properly occasionally, the headache came knocking pretty quickly and reminded me how thin the air is. But a few deep breaths were enough to clear it and feel fine again. This along with several hourly breaks worked for me all the way to the top and allowed me to comfortably make it to the crater rim.

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Dawn behind Mawenzi as we climb the path rising up from Bafaru Camp.	Looking down at Barafu Camp from half way up to Kosovo Camp.	At the top of the slope and walking along towards Kosovo Camp and Kibo itself.	Mawenzi silhouetted by the early morning sun.	A zoom shot of Stella Point from the Kosovo Camp area.	In front of us the path climbs increasingly steeply up the side of Kibo.

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One of several hourly rest breaks for water and nibbles.	From well up on the side of Kibo the view down to the Barafu ridge (bottom centre) and the plateau to Mawenzi looks stunning.	Taking a closer aerial view of Barafu and Kosovo camps.	Above us the Rebmann Glacier looms ever more closely and majestically.	Closing in on the snow line as we get ever higher.

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Clouds starting to form around the Mawenzi peak.		Looking down at Kibo hut on the Marangu route.	Another panorama from up at the snow line. Not far to Stella Point now.	Cloud formation on the Mawenzi plateau.

Stella Point

When we finally rounded the top of the steep climb and peered over the crater rim into Kibo crater itself, it was a massive relief, as well as an amazing alien view. Not only is it now finally obvious and plain to see that Kilimanjaro is a volcano and not a mere mountain, but it was a major 'YES!' moment to make it to the crater rim. Now the hardest part of the ascent was behind us, and we just had a fairly straight forward walk around the rim to get to the highest point, Uhuru Peak, now less than 500 feet above us. The air was desperately thin up here, but my controlled heavy breathing continued to keep mountain sickness at bay, and my head stayed clear, and my spirit high, as a result. It was at this point I was at last confident of making the summit. We had a well earned rest, with chocolate handed round for energy. I ate as much as I could and had a good drink, remembering to keep on breathing heavily to keep the altitude headaches at bay.

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Panorama of Kibo crater from Stella Point. Yes! We made it to the top. The hardest part of the climb is now behind us. The summit, Uhuru Peak, is on top of the cliff to the left. Stella Point on the right edge.	Resting at Stella Point before the final push for the summit.	Looking down into the volcanic crater. What an alien environment!	The Eastern Ice Field on the far side of the crater.

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Icicles on the cliff below the Uhuru Peak area.	Furtwangler glacier from Stella Point.	Looking East to the Bismark Towers from Stella Point. The path comes from Gillman's Point where the Marangu and Rongai routes ascend.	Me on the crater rim at Stella Point. Hood up to shield from an icy cold wind.

Stella Point to Uhuru Point (The Summit).

After the rest we proceeded clockwise around the crater rim past the Southern Ice Field glaciers, which were now below us instead of prominently way above us as from Barafu Camp and much of the way up. Close up they were majestic cathedrals of ice, some showing intricate layering. The further round we got, the more ice there was off the path, forming these intricate columns, no doubt sculpted by the low pressure, wind and tropical sun. The path itself though remained ice free and dry all the way round. In fact the weather as a whole was more pleasant up here than down at Barafu. It seemed like we had climbed above the weather that was causing the powerful and unpleasant gusts of wind at Barafu. There were some exposed spots where the wind picked up and being below freezing that was quite bitter. But even at the summit it wasn't that unpleasant. Still with the cold and ice, it was hard to believe we were only three degrees south, although the midday sun being almost directly overhead kept us real there. Under foot the scree was so dark and alien that it did at times seem like we were on an alien world.

We made steady progress round the rim on a gentle incline. I frequently stopped to take pictures, occasionally forgetting to keep on breathing. Then the altitude headache started up, but a few deep breaths and it went away as quickly as it came. So I was in control atleast. And my lungs were fine unlike at Lava Tower. Before long a familiar (from pictures online and from my guidebook) sign came into view up ahead...

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Panorama of Rebmann Glacier and the breathtaking view down as we walk towards Uhuru Peak.	Me in front of Rebmann Glacier.	Walking past strange ice formations. Presumably snow sculpted by the tropical sun, low pressure and icy wind into strange columns.

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Two panoramas as we continue to walk above glaciers on the Southern Ice Field next to the crater rim.		Looking back Eastwards as we get higher and closer to Uhuru Peak.	Another view across the ice and high over the clouds.	Looking across the crater to the Eastern Ice Field.

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This is probably 'The Wedge'. A spectacular glacier. With me in front, a view hilighting the ice columns in front, and a panorama that shows up the layers in the ice very well as well as icicles under a collapsed section.			Mount Meru from close to Uhuru Peak. Even this mountain looks small now from this height.	Nearly there! The Uhuru Peak sign comes into view!

We Made It! Uhuru Peak, The Roof of Africa

Yedidya made sure we all stayed close together and approached Uhuru Peak together. This was a nice symbolic gesture since it was a team effort getting here. Some of us (including me) had struggled at times en route, and some were feeling the effects of the altitude, but we nevertheless made it, as a team, to the summit. When the sign came into view I was pumped with adrenaline and feeling great, and had to restrain myself from trying to run on ahead. I am glad we all approached together though.

Once at the sign we took lots of group and single photos. I also attempted to make some 360 degree panoramas, and attempt to capture the fantastic atmosphere up here. It was an amazing euphoric feeling reaching the summit. All those doubts before the trip now long gone. Here's the proof I do after all have the ability to make it to Uhuru Peak, the highest point in the whole of Africa. (Heh I even banged my head on the sign itself at one point while taking pictures.) Fantastic!!! These memories I will never forget!

However we didn't spend too long at the summit. Atleast one member of the group had a rather nasty altitude headache and was feeling very worse for wear. So as soon as we had taken pictures and savoured the moment, we wasted no time in getting out of there again and returning back the way we came.

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The ultimate goal of the whole trip achieved. Uhuru Point! The sign itself, and me in front of the sign.		Two group shots. From left to right: Susan, Boaz, Yedidya, David, Anne, Misha, Bob and Me (holding a hiking stick up in triumph)!

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Two 360 degree panoramas attempted at the summit, one either side of the sign. The idea was to combine elements and produce a panorama without people or signs in the way. Alas it didn't come out well enough but both panoramas are still worth looking at, even with the defects and people in the way. In the first panorama Reusch Crater itself (right in the middle of the main crater) can just be seen (just right of the path inside the main crater) which is where present day activity is. Please don't ask what the guy in the orange jacket is up to in the right of the second panorama!

Pictures Taken During the Descent

After spending lunchtime at the summit we had a long dusty descent ahead of us. The scree that had been our enemy on the way up now became our friend as it allowed us to slide (almost 'ski') our way down. Although in the rockier areas I had to take my time still and a few times I still managed to slip and end up on my bum. But after emitting a swear word or two just got back up and continued on. It Still seemed to take an age to get back down the side of Kibo though. Much of the way down I ended up on my own as some raced on ahead and others took a much more leisurely pace. But when on my own it did mean that when I paused for breath and admire the breathtaking scenery in front of me it was so unbelievably peaceful and tranquil. The clouds far below to the spires of Mawenzi periodically being framed by clouds just kept the wow factor going.

Before we set off I had pre-prepared two text messages to send home. One for success and one for failure (to ensure balance and no jynxing). At the summit I was unable to find a signal. But at about 5000m on the way down I received a text indicating I had a signal. I stopped abruptly on the scree and sent my success message home. (Apparently my parents were at a party at the time so news traveled very fast of my success, everyone knowing before I had even made it back to Barafu!)

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Wisps of cumulus clouds coming up to greet us from beneath.		Another view of the Eastern Ice Field.	A spectacular line of cloud forming and almost marking the way back down.	Back to Stella Point and alongside that line of cloud.

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Pausing for food and drink as we drop back below the snow line.	Another view of the cloud line, its components twisting and churning in the breeze. Being so close to the cloud it all seems very dynamic.	Looking once more at Mawenzi as it gets framed nicely by the clouds.	Barafu Camp from the top of the slope just below Kosovo Camp. One more night to spend at Barafu before descending the Mweka Trail.

Eventually I finally made it back to Barafu, and by the time we got back it was getting late in the day. By now I was totally knackered. So I was glad we had decided to spend a third night at Barafu as I did not want to move any further. I wearily negotiated my way back down through Barafu Camp. After getting lost in a warren of paths below the petrified lava flow, I climbed up onto the lava wall which promptly led me straight back to the tents. I was greeted with a glass of refreshing pineapple juice and a congratulations by all the guides and porters on my return. Then I noted how everything was covered in Kili dust. I brushed myself down as best I could, and then I lay down for a while in my tent as I was so tired. It was also still very windy at Barafu, adding weight to my suspicion that the summit was above the windy weather. So laying in the tent while waiting for the rest of the group to return also served as a shelter from the wind.

Now I had been to the summit and the only way was down, I was now looking forward to descending and going home, as I was missing loved ones. My girlfriend in particular I had kept in touch by text right through the trip and was never far from my thoughts, even up on top of Kibo.

By 5pm supper was ready. The dining tent needed repairing so could not be resurrected. So we all crowded into the cook's tent for a nice cosy meal around the stoves. We were all in very good spirits unsurprisingly and celebrated our achievement. We finished around 6pm, after which I retired to my tent and waited for the dark. By about 7:30pm I was out like a light and slept for over 11 hours!

Total: 562 Pictures