Thursday 24th September, Uhuru Peak, summit of Kilimanjaro

We awoke just before midnight and quickly got ready for the final ascent to Uhuru Peak, it is a short bumble to the top, approx 5km but with almost 1300m height (equal to a Ben Nevis) to gain, the cold and altitude combine to ensure that everyone will work hard to reach the summit.

A number of other teams set off just before us and we could the line of headlamps zigzaging slowly up the hill in front of us. The route is steep and climbs over two small rocky cliffs then levelling before the final steep climb to Stella Point, at 5700m. The ground under our feet is a mixture of rock and fine frozen scree on the ascent turning to dust on the descent. Walking poles and a good headlamp make progress slightly easier on this ground. The cold caused problems with our water supplies as many of the clients drink bladders and bottles froze on the way up and did not thaw again till long after the sun rose.


Our plan was to arrive at Stella Point as the sun rose at about 0630hrs. We left camp with 21 clients, during the night 2 returned to Barafu suffering from the effects of AMS. It was a bitterly cold night but eventually we arrived at Stella Point and a short time later the sun began to rise behind the silhouette of Mawenzi as the crater and horizon begin to light up before our eyes. It is a wonderful sight that I have enjoyed before and never tire of seeing.




From here we have a short walk around the rim of the crater passing the remains of the Rebmann Glacier to the ultimate top of Uhuru Peak, at 5895m, and a sign post “Africa’s highest point”. After a short stop for pictures and celebrations we made our way back to Barafu camp for a well earned meal and short rest.







Unfortunately we have to move further down the mountain to High Camp to make way in Barufu camp for the next groups. This involved a short downhill bumble of approx 2 hours but it does present the opportunity to buy a few celebration beers when we arrive in the new camp site.

A total of 18 clients out of an original group of 25 made it successfully to Uhuru Peak this morning along with the DA team of Dr. Alice, Simon and myself.