11-7-17

10/28: Kilimanjaro Journey continued...

Last night we went to bed excited about this day; 10/28. Today we would hike to high camp and continue later (at 11:30pm) for our final push towards the summit. The weather on this day was gorgeous.

A beautiful sunrise lit up the sky and in the distance you could see Mt. Meru poking up above the clouds.

Happy that Bob captured this morning in pics to show where our tent was perched. Everything outside the tent was perfect. Everything inside the tent was not so perfect.

I was sick...really sick. :-( It started at 2:00am when I was burning up in my sleeping bag. An hour later I was freezing so much I needed all my warmest clothes on and had to be wrapped in TWO down sleeping bags. On top of my fever, I had such a horrible sore throat that I could barely muster swallowing. My head was piercing with severe head pressure & pain. To top it off...at 4:00am I started vomiting. Ugh. Things were going downhill for me...fast. Bob got Raymond out of his tent and he & Nestor starting pumping hot tea & honey in me to warm my core. It helped some. At Raymond's recommendation I also took a steroid that is used to treat altitude sickness (I had brought the steroid in our medicines as a just in case). There was an outside chance that this could help me turn a corner. Bob walked me to the dining tent to force down breakfast. I tried to keep everything down for the steroid to take effect. The steroid DID make a dent in my symptoms. It was enough improvement for me to pack my bag, put on my hiking clothes and prepare for descending down the mountain. There was no question it was necessary. I was sad...really sad that I wouldn't make it to the summit of Kilimanjaro. Bob insisted that he hike down with me (our earlier pact if one of us got sick was that we both would descend). However...I had full confidence in my guide, Leonard & 3 porters that would walk me down the mountain & get me back to our lodge where I could rest & recover. I insisted Bob continue up the mountain with head guide Raymond and fellow hikers Max & Jagadish. And Bob did...I was glad.

This is just how close I was to the summit of Kilimanjaro...

...YET so far. :-( 

The top was still an 8-10 hour hike away.

I looked around & took it all in. I could still appreciate just what a spectacular place this was that I was standing. Wow.

I made my rounds to say good-bye to the amazing guys in our crew.

Hugs. 

And then our guides & porters put on a show of singing.

Their music, dancing & happiness makes everyone smile. :-)

Last photo of me with the guys.

And one last group photo with Bob, Max, Jagadish & our crew. 

ALL of these guys have made a huge impact on our lives. Bob & I have been touched.

Thank you Raymond for your expertise guiding. I did not touch the roof of Africa but I am victorious. Amazing journey!

Who better to share this life & walk with?...my loving husband. 

Thank you, honey. Now go get that Kilimanjaro summit!

Pics tomorrow of my hike down & Bob's hike up.