For some, the destination is reaching the peak, but for me, the destination is ALWAYS about the journey - I am not an "A to B" kinda' girl. I love the beginning, the end and everything else in the middle. From day 1 of our climb, Benjamin would always review our plan, ask if we had any questions or wishes for the day, we would ALWAYS travel as a team and we always went slowly - perfect -just the way I like it! But this all changed on our descent and it caught me off guard. Once we finished taking some pics at Stella Point we started our descent - although we were not incapacitated by altitude sickness (and we did see some - awlful sight), we did not look like a ray of sunshine either. At Stella Point we were happy, but the altitude did start to affect us more so we did not talk alot. As much as we wanted to enjoy the moment longer, we also wanted to start to go down and certainly Benjamin wanted us to get down. As our leader, our health and safety were his responsibility. So, we took a few more glances around and started to head down.
Obviously, if there are many ways up, then there are many ways down. But for us there were two main options; to go down the same way we came - rocky and quite technical, or to take the ski route down - still very steep, but it is all scree (loose rock); so you can basically lean back and slide down on your heels. The later is the route that we would be doing. By this time, the sun was up and giving off significant heat so as we went down we started to strip off layers one by one. Although Benjamin did not speak to us, we got the signal from him to start to head down, with Athman in the lead. We were waiting for our "descent plan talk", but it never happened, but with us all not feeling 100% and at this time not really knowing any plan, we followed Athman without questions. To start the descent we walked slowly across the ridge a few hundred yards to get to the path, but once we got to the path - we started flying down......and I mean flying. Athman was a man of little words and did take the lead from Benjamin so whatever Benjamin said, he just followed the orders. So as we started our rather quick descent - back on our heals and sliding down, I initially enjoyed it. I thought..... hmmmm....this is kind of cool - after the hard climb up, we were taking an express route down. But after about 20 to 30 minutes, I started to get a little miffed. With no communication and us flying down the mountain, inevitably, the team got split up and I didn't like it at all! I thought eventually, we would stop and re-group, so I kept going, despite my dismay. But unfotunately, this pattern did not change. We continued our insane pace and our group got even further apart. So between me feeling bitter and having to watch my step; I was missing some amazing views and I was missing my peeps. To say the least, I was not impressed and I was getting a little mad. And those that know me - I can be alot of things and I certainly am not perfect, but it takes alot for me to get mad. I actually was more upset and sad then mad really, but I expressed my feelings by being grumpy! Mike, Delia and I did have a chance to chat briefly along the way, but all that came out was, "....what the heck is this all about, is Athman mad at us or what? This is a ridiculous pace...". But we all continued to descent without too many complaints - well, we didn't have a choice really - we didn't know the exact way down so we couldn't lose our leader.
The other thing that happened was that you have to remember that we started our summit at midnight and it was now 7 1/2 hours later - pretty hard treking with very little food - tired and hungry - definitely a grumpy Brenda! About an hour after the start of our descent, we stopped for a bite to eat, but when we started up again - it was back to the same 'ole thing - fast and separated. After the rest period, I came to terms with the fact that not everyone enjoys what I like, this is a once in a lifetime journey, so I better get over myself and start to enjoy it again - and this is exactly what I did. I took a long time getting down and for most of it I was by myself, but I enjoyed it! Once we got down, I was happy, but I was still a little gumpy - so I tried to exercise a little of what I learned as a kid, "if you don't have something nice to say, then don't say anything at all." - I just needed a bit of time - that's all!
It took about 2 to 3 hours to get back down to Barafu Camp. From here, we rested for 1 to 2 hours, had a bite to eat and then we got ready to continue our descent down to Mekwa Camp - another 3 hour hike. Dominque came to greet us with a cool drink and gave us a quick congratulation smile which was nice, but I was still a little disappointed that Benjamin, Athman and the rest of our team again did not come chat with us and give us a plan, but I got over it - eventually. Once we re-started, again, it was back to super sonic speed. The grade was not as steep as it was to Barafu camp, but it was still constant down - easy on the cardiovascular system, but biomechanically harder on the toes & knees. I was still a little bitter as I really wanted to stay together and chat - I am all about conversing and enjoying the company!
Once we we got to Mweka Camp we set up and got ready for dinner. At dinner we were able to chat and banter back and forth of our experiences - what we felt, what we liked, etc. - ahhhhhh....back to our 'ole routine. While we were talking, it became known that we all felt the same way. We all wanted to hike down together to chat and enjoy the journey down together - we all admitted that we were "grumpy pants", but fortnately we all exercised the same childhood rules, so nothing was siad that might have been regretted later. We laughed about it and confirmed that although it was a little disappointing, it certainly did not affect our overall experience of climbing Mount Kilimanjaro - we all LOVED it and we loved our team and leaders! Part of the bitterness was the fact that we felt that we were being abandoned by our leaders - giving us the feeling that they felt that they did their job now - getting us to the top, so nothing else matters...."....we got these bloody tourist up to the summit, now lets get them down and get rid of them...: and part of the bitterness was just fatigue, altitude and hunger - all that can affect your personality as you know. Once we were all back together again, it was all good! Because it was so important to me, the next day, I did ask Benjamin why we descended that way. He indicated that he knew that we were in good shape, we did not have any major altitude issues and that he just wanted to get us down the mountain before we did. Benjamin told Athman to go as fast as he could. I expressed that it took us off guard as he was so good at communicating up to that point. I would have loved for him to ask us what we wanted to do as getting to the summit is not my goal - the destination to me is the whole journey. He did apologize and stated that for most people - the summit is the destination. He was happy that I did want to enjoy the journey down and the final day, Benjamin was back to his 'ole self; taking his time and showing us all the flora and fauna, chatting and laughing once again. It is all about communication isn't it?
Mweka camp was pretty and it was a good night - we all slept well. The next day we got up and had breakfast and started to say our good-byes. Once we started our last trek down, there was a good chance that we may not see the group again - it was a sad moment. When you spend that much time with a group and do the things we did; having to rely on each other, you develop a relationship that is hard to explain. By morning all the bitter feelings that we may have felt the day before were all forgotten. This experience has changed us all - in many ways! Just before we were ready to head out, our climbing team got together (all 19 of them) and started to sing the "Kili" song. It was fabulous - they have good voices!!! It was a great way to say good bye. We took a group shot and headed down our last 3 hours to the Mweka gate to go back to the hotel. We had an amazing last day - reminising, laughing and enjoying the last few views of Kilimanjaro.
From start to finish, climbing Mount Kilimanjaro was an experience that we will remember for the rest of our lives for sure. I am sure that I have forgotten to write some things in our blog that we experienced or saw, but it is in our hearts forever! Delia and I could not have done it without our team and we are grateful! "Asante Sana Mgumu" - Thank-you Strongmen!
The other thing that happened was that you have to remember that we started our summit at midnight and it was now 7 1/2 hours later - pretty hard treking with very little food - tired and hungry - definitely a grumpy Brenda! About an hour after the start of our descent, we stopped for a bite to eat, but when we started up again - it was back to the same 'ole thing - fast and separated. After the rest period, I came to terms with the fact that not everyone enjoys what I like, this is a once in a lifetime journey, so I better get over myself and start to enjoy it again - and this is exactly what I did. I took a long time getting down and for most of it I was by myself, but I enjoyed it! Once we got down, I was happy, but I was still a little gumpy - so I tried to exercise a little of what I learned as a kid, "if you don't have something nice to say, then don't say anything at all." - I just needed a bit of time - that's all!
It took about 2 to 3 hours to get back down to Barafu Camp. From here, we rested for 1 to 2 hours, had a bite to eat and then we got ready to continue our descent down to Mekwa Camp - another 3 hour hike. Dominque came to greet us with a cool drink and gave us a quick congratulation smile which was nice, but I was still a little disappointed that Benjamin, Athman and the rest of our team again did not come chat with us and give us a plan, but I got over it - eventually. Once we re-started, again, it was back to super sonic speed. The grade was not as steep as it was to Barafu camp, but it was still constant down - easy on the cardiovascular system, but biomechanically harder on the toes & knees. I was still a little bitter as I really wanted to stay together and chat - I am all about conversing and enjoying the company!
Once we we got to Mweka Camp we set up and got ready for dinner. At dinner we were able to chat and banter back and forth of our experiences - what we felt, what we liked, etc. - ahhhhhh....back to our 'ole routine. While we were talking, it became known that we all felt the same way. We all wanted to hike down together to chat and enjoy the journey down together - we all admitted that we were "grumpy pants", but fortnately we all exercised the same childhood rules, so nothing was siad that might have been regretted later. We laughed about it and confirmed that although it was a little disappointing, it certainly did not affect our overall experience of climbing Mount Kilimanjaro - we all LOVED it and we loved our team and leaders! Part of the bitterness was the fact that we felt that we were being abandoned by our leaders - giving us the feeling that they felt that they did their job now - getting us to the top, so nothing else matters...."....we got these bloody tourist up to the summit, now lets get them down and get rid of them...: and part of the bitterness was just fatigue, altitude and hunger - all that can affect your personality as you know. Once we were all back together again, it was all good! Because it was so important to me, the next day, I did ask Benjamin why we descended that way. He indicated that he knew that we were in good shape, we did not have any major altitude issues and that he just wanted to get us down the mountain before we did. Benjamin told Athman to go as fast as he could. I expressed that it took us off guard as he was so good at communicating up to that point. I would have loved for him to ask us what we wanted to do as getting to the summit is not my goal - the destination to me is the whole journey. He did apologize and stated that for most people - the summit is the destination. He was happy that I did want to enjoy the journey down and the final day, Benjamin was back to his 'ole self; taking his time and showing us all the flora and fauna, chatting and laughing once again. It is all about communication isn't it?
Mweka camp was pretty and it was a good night - we all slept well. The next day we got up and had breakfast and started to say our good-byes. Once we started our last trek down, there was a good chance that we may not see the group again - it was a sad moment. When you spend that much time with a group and do the things we did; having to rely on each other, you develop a relationship that is hard to explain. By morning all the bitter feelings that we may have felt the day before were all forgotten. This experience has changed us all - in many ways! Just before we were ready to head out, our climbing team got together (all 19 of them) and started to sing the "Kili" song. It was fabulous - they have good voices!!! It was a great way to say good bye. We took a group shot and headed down our last 3 hours to the Mweka gate to go back to the hotel. We had an amazing last day - reminising, laughing and enjoying the last few views of Kilimanjaro.
From start to finish, climbing Mount Kilimanjaro was an experience that we will remember for the rest of our lives for sure. I am sure that I have forgotten to write some things in our blog that we experienced or saw, but it is in our hearts forever! Delia and I could not have done it without our team and we are grateful! "Asante Sana Mgumu" - Thank-you Strongmen!
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