Published on February 4th, 2010

Seward climber summits Mount Kilaminjaro

By JERRY DIXON

JERRY DIXON, Courtesy Photo

Kilaminjaro guides helped the hikers with gear and meals during their quest to the summit. The group ascended by way of Stella Point, with an elevation of 18,652 feet.

Last month, I climbed Mount Kilimanjaro.

After arriving in Africa, the drive from Moshi to the Mount Kilimanjaro National Park Gate took about 50 minutes. The journey passed through the village of Machame, which is located on the lower slopes of the mountain.

Once we left the park gate, we walked through the rain forest on a winding trail up a ridge. Lower down, the trail can be muddy and slippery, and gaiters and trekking poles are recommended. We continued a short distance until we reached the Machame Camp.

From the Shira Plateau, we continued to the east up a ridge, passing the junction toward the peak of Kibo. As we continued, our direction changed to the south east toward the Lava Tower, called the "Shark's Tooth."

Shortly after the tower, we came to the second junction which brought us up to the Arrow Glacier at an altitude of 15,997 feet.

After breakfast, we left Barranco and continued on a steep ridge up the Barranco Wall, through the Karanga Valley (13,779 feet) and the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail.

We had now completed the South Circuit, which offered views of the summit from many different angles. Here we made camp, rested, enjoyed dinner and prepared for the summit day. The two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo were within view from this position.

Very early in the morning (midnight to 2 a.m.) we continued our way to the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers. We headed in a northwesterly direction and ascended through heavy scree toward Stella Point on the crater rim. This was the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek. At Stella Point (18,652 feet), we stopped for a short rest and were rewarded with a magnificent sunrise.

On Stella Point it's common to encounter snow all the way up on the one-hour ascent to the summit. At Uhuru Peak, we reached the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa. Faster hikers were able to glimpse the sunrise from the summit. It can be very cold at night at these elevations but quite warm by the end of the hiking day, so we had to pack clothing for both extremes.

Three persons were injured during the trek on Mount Kilimanjaro. A man from the United States had knee problems and had to wear knee braces. A woman from England had sun on her face and was red when she reached the summit. She also struggled to make the summit, and a guide helped her finish. And a man from Spain experienced frostbite on his nose and check.

The last day we had a dance. Twenty Tanzanians danced to the song "Mount Kilimanjaro."

I was the only white guy to dance with them.

For all your life, with all your heart, keep on dancing.

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Seward climber summits Mount Kilaminjaro