We agreed to set off from Kibo hut for the summit at 5 am, unlike most climbers whom set off at midnight to time their climb to meet the sunrise at the summit. A great idea until you find out that the temperature for six hours of climbing is minus 20 with extra wind chill and that the summit will be packed with upto 30 climbers clambering for a photo.
Our plan worked well as we were the only ascenders climbing the frozen scree ramp from Kibo to Gilmans point.
After an hour and a half he sun rose magnificently to start to warm our hands and feet and defrost our drinking packs.
The heat was welcome but this also meant that the scree ramp defrosted to create a dusty and lose 30 degree wall which was a real test for us all.
We managed to climb for two hours to reach Williams point at 5000 m, then another 45 mins to Hans Mryers cave the last natural refuge on this assent.
Pace was slowed due to health issues linked to altitude sickness and general fatigue. None if us slept at kibo, a normal reaction to life at 4700 m.
After a further three hours off monotinous climbing up switchback to cut the slope to a manageable 30 degrees, we all reached Gilmans point at 5680 m, the first official summt of the Kilimanjaro crater. Named after a prominent early member of the East African climbing club.
From here we could see for the first time the crater and the stacked Easter ice fields , a Magical site after almost six hours of climbing.
Pictures were taken , congratulations made and we had an umpromptu celebration as we believed joe to be the youngest uk climber to ever summit at the craters edge.
Joe and Helen were exhausted so they the descended and Dad and I carried on for another hour to reach the highest peak on the summit. Uhuru peak the official highest point in Africa. It was deserted so we took advantage and photographed us and the two guides Bryson and Elias.
Both of us were suffering with head aches due to the extreme altitude 5895 m or 19710 feet. So we descended at 'guide pace ' running down to Gilmans and then descending back to kibo hut in less than an hour, covered in dust but smiling.
After a quick lunch we then tracked down to horombo hut at 3700 m another three hours trecking after 10 for Me and dad, we didn't mind as it offered an escape the headaches, loss of appetite, minus 15 temperatures of kibo.
Writing this blog, with legs like lead, a mild headache but huge satisfaction in my personal achievement and what we have done as a family.
Tomorrow five hours of trecking down the the Marungu admin office to fill out the necessary paperwork and to collect our certificates.
Great fun, but never again!
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