August 12 - Feeling Better

Big sigh of relief.  After yesterday I thought this mountain might get the better of me.  The books consider today's hike to be harder still.  In fact it went well.  Lots of altitude gain but not so steep.  Did really well.  Set my own pace which was good.  The sun has come out in camp but it was very cloudy and cold most of the day.  Gorgeous scenery most of the way!

Tomorrow is a HUGE day.  It starts with the Barranco wall - very steep with scrambling - then quite a bit of distance and altitude gain.  Tomorrow night we head for the summit very late in the evening.

Feeling much better - no symptoms of AMS.  Must be the Diamox.  Also my throat not gotten worse - THANK YOU GOD.

Strange raven-like birds were a feature of our 2nd camp

The upper slopes of Kili host vegetation that is found nowhere
else in the world, such as these Lobelia Deckenili

Getting close to camp.  Long day of walking.

August 11 - Day 2 of the Climb

Holy (expletive).  2nd day on the mountain.  Tired, dirty and either hot or cold.  Yesterday went well.  Long day of hiking but not too steep.  Met an Aussie named Graham and we led the way.  First camp was good but very cold as soon as the sun went down.  Didn't sleep much that night.  Warm enough but Diamox made me pee like a race horse.

My Aussie climbing buddy Graham and an airline pilot from South Africa

Food is different but appreciated.  Hot soup every meal.

Day 2 was exhausting.  HUGE vertical with very few breaks.  Like doing Grouse Mountain 3 times.  Thought I might be toast but the guide took some of my stuff from my pack and let me set the pace for the group.  Plus, more gradual slope then.  Felt much better when we got to camp and even better after lunch.  Dust is blowing everywhere so I am filthy and my eyes sting.  This is going to be tough.  Sore throat - cold symptoms.  Poly Poly... one challenge at a time.

The view back down on the 2nd day.  Already above the clouds

The Rest of the Story - Long Overdue...

It's been a number of years since I returned from Africa and this blog has sat unfinished since then.  I've been tempted a number of times to complete it but many of the details have gotten fuzzy so I was reluctant.  Not long ago I was rummaging through my drawers and came across the little notebook that served as my journal during the trip.  It occurred to me that this journal, with it's frank thoughts written in the thick of the trip, would provide a better account of the trip than my feeble memory could ever hope to.  What follows is the exact text of my journal (in italics) along with some current reflections on my memory of the event.  I hope you enjoy...