Day 20--Skiu Ishirini
This morning, six of us piled into a taxi and drove to Momella gate at the base of Mt. Meru. [Just for reference, I now know that Mt. Meru is approx 15,000 ft. which is taller than any mountain in the continental United States.] From the taxi we saw two giant giraffes right next to us on the road. They were even closer than on safari and seemed so much bigger from the lower angle. We also saw zebras, buffalo, and monkeys at the gate.
Our ranger is awesome. He's shot three buffalo before to proteck his hikers. Early on, I saw giraffe tracks, then leopard, then baboon tracks. (Thank you Jim Brouchak) We walked though magical mystical forests with hanging vines, mossy floors, and liechens on the trees. We ate lunch on the grass by a pretty waterfall surrounded by forest. As we neared the cloud line, the clouds right above us moved so quickly it was unreal.
I was very glad to be right by our ranger and his gun when later on he spotted two buffalo right by the trail! (only the most dangerous animal in Africa, as any ranger or guide will tell you). We had to get up off the trail and trek through the bush until we were past. It was a little scary but an awesome adventure.
Then dinner, laughs, and many rounds of uno with the five others I climbed the mountain with. We're having so much fun!
Day 21--Siku Ishirini
We made it to Saddle hut. I actually feel great; for some reason the altitude has almost no effect on me. Todays hike was above the cloudline and forest. Between the trees, little flowers are sprinkled along the trail. Purple, yellow, red, blue, they smile at me with encouragement. For a while I led the group with Gidion our awesome guide right behind me.
When we got to the hut, I sat outside and got creative with the ingredients I brought. I made a tuna, peanut, and peanutbutter sandwhich. Actually pretty tasty. And packed with protein. :)
After a rest, we climed to the summit of Little Meru for the sunset. It was just the seven of us at the top and it was exactly the experience I had wanted. Pictures will do it better justice.
(on this photo--the view from the hike to Little Meru--you can see where we would hike later that night... from the huts in the bottom left, around the back, and to the summit)
After that and dinner, we attempted to sleep for a few hours before waking at midnight to start the six hour climb to the summit for sunrise. At first I was excited and bouncing around the hallway before we left. The first part of the hike was on just a slight incline and I couldn't stop tipping my head back to look at the stars. They felt so close. I imagined when I would climb to the top of that dark ledge ahead, I could reach my hand up and run my fingers through the milkyway. I saw a shooting star and then another.
The next few hours made up the single most terrifying experience of my life. Basically, I had an emotional meltdown, learned I am not a huge fan of rock climbing--especially in the dark with just a headlamp--and I now have something to say when an interviewer asks about a time when I overcame an obstacle. Even writing about it in my journal made my shoulders tense up.
I thought I was climbing on the surface of the moon. Huge strange rock formations and stars in the background.
We kept stopping because people were out of breath. We were getting so close but it was still so dark. We could see the flag at the top. Ok now. Just a little bit more.
As soon as I climbed up and over I could see the sky. The beautiful orange sky, rising behind the silhouette of kilimanjaro. We started taking pictures and I thanked Gidion and it was just plain incredible. I put socks on my hands (it was freezing) and ate my chocolate brownie bar reward. I can't even begin to describe that incredible experience. :)
(Me and amazing Gidion)
To summarize:
We climbed all the way down the entire mountain after that.
(The first few hours descending from the summit were full of epic, surreal views)
The best part of the climb down was when Gidion pointed out some Black and White Colobus monkeys. He then proceeded to lead us off the trail though the knee high plants to the forest floor so we could see them better. "A shortcut" he said "If there is problem, I have gun."
(Gidion borrowed my camera and got me this photo. I was SO impressed! I could barely get a picture of one at all, let alone a face. Thanks Gidion!)
Needless to say I was super sore that night and the next day. Oh well, that's what you get for climbing a 15 footer in 3 days. :)
