Firstly, to all our loved ones, everyone is safe.
Not sure how to explain to you all back home exactly what summit night was like. We left camp at 11:30pm - we were at 4600 metres and we starting hiking up. It was very cold and as we were walking on ice, it got to a point where we couldn't feel our toes or fingers and they were really stinging.
There was no rest from the relentless climb and wind and all around you there is the sound of people throwing up as they try to push on a little further while fighting the altitude sickness. We even saw a young lady who was so bad that they had her wrapped in a thermal blanket and she was incoherent. I hope they got her to the bottom OK.
Dave and Ash got to about 4900 metres and had to turn back as they were just too sick. Ali was throwing up the whole way while fighting a killer headache but she decided to push on.
We broke into into 2 groups as some were quicker than others. So Moses, Gail, Linda and Jude took off in front of Mary, Ali, Craig, Brad, Sharkie and myself.
The higher you get the thinner the air gets and every step up sucks your energy. I started really getting sick around 5300 metres but soldiered on. By the time we reached 5500 metres I was just too sick. My chest was so tight, I was really nauseous, I had the worst headache and I was completely drained. I made the decision that I couldn't go on when the guide told us we still had at least another 3 hours before we would reach the summit.
As Gidian was taking me down the mountain and that left only one more guide, Ali and Mary made the hard decision that they would also come down as they were unsure if they could go on for the last 3 or so hours. Ali had been doing it tough for hours and Mary was totally drained (what an inspiration they both were).
As there was only one guide left with our group, Brad, Craig and Sharkie had to make an "all or nothing effort". If one of them got sick, they would all need to come down, otherwise they were all somehow going to get to the top.
So after 6 hours of hiking myself, Ali, Mary and Gidian turned around and made the long trip back to camp to meet up with Dave and Ash and wait for the others.
Linda, Jude, Moses and Gail all managed to reach the summit and got back to camp very weary at about 10am.
We are still waiting on Sharkie, Brad and Craig to get back to camp. Once everyone gets in we still have to do another 5 hour hike today to go to our next camp site as there is no food or water left here at the Camp we were in last night - the Porters have already moved to the next Camp, so we have no choice but to go there as well. I really hope we are up to it.
Thank you all for your support. I don't think anyone has let you down. We all climbed Kilimanjaro, just not all of us got to the summit. I will blog again once the last three boys get here safely.
Love Donna
Not sure how to explain to you all back home exactly what summit night was like. We left camp at 11:30pm - we were at 4600 metres and we starting hiking up. It was very cold and as we were walking on ice, it got to a point where we couldn't feel our toes or fingers and they were really stinging.
There was no rest from the relentless climb and wind and all around you there is the sound of people throwing up as they try to push on a little further while fighting the altitude sickness. We even saw a young lady who was so bad that they had her wrapped in a thermal blanket and she was incoherent. I hope they got her to the bottom OK.
Dave and Ash got to about 4900 metres and had to turn back as they were just too sick. Ali was throwing up the whole way while fighting a killer headache but she decided to push on.
We broke into into 2 groups as some were quicker than others. So Moses, Gail, Linda and Jude took off in front of Mary, Ali, Craig, Brad, Sharkie and myself.
The higher you get the thinner the air gets and every step up sucks your energy. I started really getting sick around 5300 metres but soldiered on. By the time we reached 5500 metres I was just too sick. My chest was so tight, I was really nauseous, I had the worst headache and I was completely drained. I made the decision that I couldn't go on when the guide told us we still had at least another 3 hours before we would reach the summit.
As Gidian was taking me down the mountain and that left only one more guide, Ali and Mary made the hard decision that they would also come down as they were unsure if they could go on for the last 3 or so hours. Ali had been doing it tough for hours and Mary was totally drained (what an inspiration they both were).
As there was only one guide left with our group, Brad, Craig and Sharkie had to make an "all or nothing effort". If one of them got sick, they would all need to come down, otherwise they were all somehow going to get to the top.
So after 6 hours of hiking myself, Ali, Mary and Gidian turned around and made the long trip back to camp to meet up with Dave and Ash and wait for the others.
Linda, Jude, Moses and Gail all managed to reach the summit and got back to camp very weary at about 10am.
We are still waiting on Sharkie, Brad and Craig to get back to camp. Once everyone gets in we still have to do another 5 hour hike today to go to our next camp site as there is no food or water left here at the Camp we were in last night - the Porters have already moved to the next Camp, so we have no choice but to go there as well. I really hope we are up to it.
Thank you all for your support. I don't think anyone has let you down. We all climbed Kilimanjaro, just not all of us got to the summit. I will blog again once the last three boys get here safely.
Love Donna
Fantastic News!!! You are all inspirational and we are so pleased everyone is safe and sound. Good Luck climbing down!! Love Phil and Sue Curry
ReplyDeleteWow what a great effort i am glad that i am already grey or i would have been by now .We are so proud of you all and so proud that Linda managed it .Love to all The Harwoods.xxxxxx
ReplyDeleteCongratulations to you all on a truly wonderful achievement. All your efforts and commitment are inspiring and amazing. Wishing you all a safe return down the mountain. Love & Best wishes (and a big sloppy kiss for Donna!)
ReplyDeleteLove
The Fulmers