day 6 – summit night turns into summit day

July 20 – we are back at Barafu Camp. After a little rest, we eat a little and relax in the mess. Today is an unusually windy day, so much so, our sleeping tent collapsed a little and our mess tent felt like it was going to take off. Luckily our tent did not take off, but as we sat in the tent we heard that roar of the porters and guides outside. I went out to investigate – there were indeed tents flying through the air. It was a crazy and wild scene.

A tent flying through the air!

The tent about to land on an outhouse.

We eventually had to vacate our camp for new climbers. The hike down to Mweka Forest Camp was short, but seemed like it took forever. Along the route down, we saw the Kili stretchers, these are metal stretchers with one wheel, and giant shock absorbers – they are used to transport people down the mountain. Soon we were at the half way point on our journey to Mweka Forest Camp – a camp called High Camp.

High Camp – Half Way to Mweka Forest Camp

Unfortunately while we were resting at High Camp – a stretcher came into the camp with a young woman who obviously needed to get down off the mountain. And after looking at her carefully, we all recognized her – her friends were literally dragging her up to Uhuru Peak from Stella Point. I am not sure why her friends, and the guides would allow this. I realize you are so close – but your health and well being should take precedence.

We were soon on our way down, all very quite and tired. It has been a very long night and day – our bodies are exhausted and running on fumes. I know we are getting close when the landscape begins to change from the barren desert to the more lush Moorland. I did take a moment to take a picture of this, and of the city of Moshi – one of the cities that people use as a starting point for Kili.

The Moorland Zone of Kili – Desert turns to Green Vegetation

Looking Down on Moshi.

So we arrive at Mweka Camp – it is quite the site. We are all happy to have scaled Kili, but also happy to know that we are almost down. I know tonight will be an early night – dinner, followed by final packing, followed by an early night to bed.

Tomorrow we head to the final gate, then back to our hotel in Arusha.