In the early
hours of Tuesday morning, I successfully reached the summit of Mt
Kilimanjaro having taken just over 5 hours to reach Uhuru Peak from the
base camp at Barafu. I was delighted to reach the summit. It was still
dark and very cold when we arrived - somewhere between -10 and -20. It
was a very tough night. I was fortunate enough not to suffer for any
form of altitude sickness but was completely knackered by the time I
reach the top due to the lack of oxygen (approximately 50% of what we
breathe at sea level). All-in-all it was a great experience and one that
I would like to do again at a later date if I get the opportunity.
Thank you very much to everyone who sponsored me for my climb. So far I have raised just over £800 to go towards Friends of KCMC. I can certainly say that the money will go a long way to help make a difference.
Here are a
selection of photographs from my time on the mountain.
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| Day 1: Machame Gate to Machame Camp. Following my guide Freddie through the forest. |
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| Porters carrying equipment. |
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| Machame Camp at the end of day 1. |
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| Day 2: Machame Camp to Shira Camp. |
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| Looking back towards Machame Camp. |
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| Arrival at Shira Camp. |
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| Looking out towards Mt. Meru. |
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| Day 3: Shira Camp to Barranco Camp (via Lava Tower). Freddie in front of Kibo on our way to Lava Tower. |
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| Descending from Lava Tower after a lunchtime stopover. |
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| Basking in sunshine at Barranco Camp. |
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| The sun sets after another glorious day on Kilimanjaro. |
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| Day 4: Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp. Brief pause having climbed up the Barranco Wall......a 300 metre high wall at that. |
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| Day 5: Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp (base camp). Looking out to the east towards Mawenzi. |
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| Day 6: 0545hrs - Arrival at Uhuru Peak after just over 5 hours of climbing. One very happy (and tired) final year medical student, just another day at the office for Freddie - he's been up there over 600 times! |
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| Sunrise from Uhuru Peak. Another group make their way to the roof of Africa in the distance. |
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| Looking towards Uhuru Peak and the Kibo crater from Stella Point on our descent. |
