After everyone got back from the Summit and were fed, we were given a two hour break before we had to pack up again and walk to our next Camp where we were to stay the night.
Everyone was like zombies as we took up our hiking poles once again to make the next hike into the next camp. It was snowing hard and we were all just following each others footsteps until we reached Camp about 6 hours later.
Thank God for the fantastic porters who are always into Camp before you and have your tents set up. Everyone went into the mess tent to have a quick bite to eat and there wasn't much conversation at the dinner table - everyone was just exhausted. Straight from the dinner table we all went to bed. There wasn't a sound coming from our tents by 7.00 p.m.
We had to be up at 5.30 a.m. this morning to be packed up and ready for breakfast by 6.30 a.m. At 7.00 a.m. we started on our last hike down to the gate of where the mountain begins and where our bus would be waiting for us.
It took us around 4 hours and it was very muddy and seemed to take forever (probably just because we were all so exhausted). We couldn't believe it when the Gate was finally in our sights.
It was great to be met there by Ruth and Pete (who was looking much better).
After jumping onto our waiting mini bus, we were suddenly indated by the locals at our windows trying to sell us their trinkets. How funny was Mary - she just couldn't say no. She bought so much stuff from them including a hideous looking Giraffe mask.
We then took a bus ride for about 1.5 hours to get to the absolutely beautiful Mountain Lodge which is where we are now. Oh my goodness, that bath and real toilet were just amazing.
Everyone has had a rest and are now making their way down to the bar for our Celebration Dinner taking place around 7.00 p.m. tonight.
There are 9 of us on this trip who went and walked Kokoda in 2008 for the kids and without a doubt we all completely agree that this trip was mentally more draining by far. Physically the thin air would keep wearing you down and you mentally had to be strong all the time, willing yourself to the end of each day. If any doubt came into your head, then it just would not have happened.
Now we move into the next phase of our trip which is a couple of days at St. Judes School volunteering there and then our three day Safari - this will be the fun part where we can all enjoy a good laugh together.
I am not sorry I did the Mountain, but without a doubt it was so much more challenging than any of us ever expected. Moses made the comment that the Summit was at 5,895 metres and had it been at 5,896 (1 more metre) he would not have made it. He said he had used every single ounce of strength that was in him.
These 13 other trekkers have been my absolute inspiration. The bond we all share is amazing and if you have to be on the Mountain in these conditions, there is no-one you would rather have by your side. Camp Quality is extremely lucky to have such wonderful, amazing people who are willing to go so far for the kids. They all should be knighted !!
So I am off to enjoy our celebration dinner now with the rest of the gang. Thank you to all of you at home. Your love and support and comments on the blog got us all through. Stay tuned for more updates from St. Judes and our Safari so you can continue to be a part of our journey.
Happy Fathers Day for tomorrow to all our wonderful dads - hope you all have the best day.
Finally, a very special Thank You to Denis and Hanne - without you guys Mary and myself would not have been in the condition we were in and would not have been able to go as far as we did - we are indebted to you.
Until tomorrow,
Hugs,
Donna.
Everyone was like zombies as we took up our hiking poles once again to make the next hike into the next camp. It was snowing hard and we were all just following each others footsteps until we reached Camp about 6 hours later.
Thank God for the fantastic porters who are always into Camp before you and have your tents set up. Everyone went into the mess tent to have a quick bite to eat and there wasn't much conversation at the dinner table - everyone was just exhausted. Straight from the dinner table we all went to bed. There wasn't a sound coming from our tents by 7.00 p.m.
We had to be up at 5.30 a.m. this morning to be packed up and ready for breakfast by 6.30 a.m. At 7.00 a.m. we started on our last hike down to the gate of where the mountain begins and where our bus would be waiting for us.
It took us around 4 hours and it was very muddy and seemed to take forever (probably just because we were all so exhausted). We couldn't believe it when the Gate was finally in our sights.
It was great to be met there by Ruth and Pete (who was looking much better).
After jumping onto our waiting mini bus, we were suddenly indated by the locals at our windows trying to sell us their trinkets. How funny was Mary - she just couldn't say no. She bought so much stuff from them including a hideous looking Giraffe mask.
We then took a bus ride for about 1.5 hours to get to the absolutely beautiful Mountain Lodge which is where we are now. Oh my goodness, that bath and real toilet were just amazing.
Everyone has had a rest and are now making their way down to the bar for our Celebration Dinner taking place around 7.00 p.m. tonight.
There are 9 of us on this trip who went and walked Kokoda in 2008 for the kids and without a doubt we all completely agree that this trip was mentally more draining by far. Physically the thin air would keep wearing you down and you mentally had to be strong all the time, willing yourself to the end of each day. If any doubt came into your head, then it just would not have happened.
Now we move into the next phase of our trip which is a couple of days at St. Judes School volunteering there and then our three day Safari - this will be the fun part where we can all enjoy a good laugh together.
I am not sorry I did the Mountain, but without a doubt it was so much more challenging than any of us ever expected. Moses made the comment that the Summit was at 5,895 metres and had it been at 5,896 (1 more metre) he would not have made it. He said he had used every single ounce of strength that was in him.
These 13 other trekkers have been my absolute inspiration. The bond we all share is amazing and if you have to be on the Mountain in these conditions, there is no-one you would rather have by your side. Camp Quality is extremely lucky to have such wonderful, amazing people who are willing to go so far for the kids. They all should be knighted !!
So I am off to enjoy our celebration dinner now with the rest of the gang. Thank you to all of you at home. Your love and support and comments on the blog got us all through. Stay tuned for more updates from St. Judes and our Safari so you can continue to be a part of our journey.
Happy Fathers Day for tomorrow to all our wonderful dads - hope you all have the best day.
Finally, a very special Thank You to Denis and Hanne - without you guys Mary and myself would not have been in the condition we were in and would not have been able to go as far as we did - we are indebted to you.
Until tomorrow,
Hugs,
Donna.
Great news that you are all well and safe. My prayers were answerred. Congratulations to all of you who reached the summit what a fantastic effort. For those who did not reach the mountain summit, you reached your personal summit which is a fantastic and glorious feat, I am very proud to call all of you my friends.
ReplyDeleteLove and take care Uncle Ron and Joh