The Diary of My Adventure |
August 7: In the evening, I started by train to Munich airport. There I met my friend Alfred (62) and his daughter Gudrun (36). Then we went by Cross Air (a little Swiss airline) to Zurich. An MD-11 of the new Swiss International Air waited for us. After 10 minutes in the plane we heard a loud bang, but didn't think of bad things. After another 5 minutes the pilot spoke through the loudspeaker: We're very sorry but we have to return to Zurich airport because a bird has damaged our turbine engine, but we can fly back with 2. So we went back and were very astonished that a lot of fire trucks awaited us on the airfield. We landed safely but didn't know that this was very dangerous for us. During the night we stayed in a hotel where the airline provided things for us. August 8: After an excellent breakfast we went to the airport and could finally start with a different plane from Zurich/Switzerland to Nairobi/Kenya. There we landed safely after 7 hours of flight, but no jet lag because there is only an hour forward. But because of those circumstances in Zurich one piece of baggage was left in Zurich airport. So we had to fill in forms and copy the passport so that the safari crew could bring it to the mountain camp, which they did two days later. We were driven to the Nairobi Hilton and had a good dinner. There I learned my hotel room and who would be my tent partner for about 9 days. His name was Hans Friedrich and he is a dentist, a nice guy (60). So our team consisted of 8 persons: Wolf-Dieter (56), Alfred (62), Hans Friedrich (60), Gudrun (36), Hannes (34), Torsten (39), Wolfgang (32) with his girl friend Tatjana (29). August 9: 6:00 a.m. wake-up. 7 a.m. we went to the Amboseli National Park in 2 cars (minibus and Jeep). The so-called road was only covered with stones, sand, holes, etc. We felt like in a ship during high waves. But then we came to a plain where we could watch so many animals: one lion, giraffes, elephants, hippopotami, zebras, gnus, all kinds of gazelles and antelopes, emus (a big running bird), cranes etc. It was terrific, I can tell you, such a lot of wild animals on one only day! In the late afternoon we could visit a Masai village where the Chief's son explained to us how the Masai people live, what they eat, how they dance. Then to the Loitokitok Cottage where we stayed over night (mosquito nets above the beds). A great day!!! August 10: After a good breakfast we went over the "roads" (up and down) to the border of Tanzania (wooden huts, dust). Then we came to a little mountain village where our team waited for us: 22 persons: one guide with two assistant guides, one cook with one assistant cook, 17 porters for our equipment. All the baggage we didn't need for the mountain we left there (they brought it to the last point at Marangu Gate). We hiked through the rain forest to the Simba Camp at 2.600 m where we put up our tents. The weather was cool and cloudy (winter in Africa). Afterwards we climbed another 250 m up the mountain and back again, that's good for the acclimatization to the height, and not to get headache too early. We sat round a table on benches and had a wonderful dinner with soup, potatoes, vegetables, tomato and cucumber salad, fish, fruit salad with papaya, mango, bananas. It's dark at 18.30, so we went to bed very early. August 11: After a warm night we got a wonderful breakfast (luxury), then we climbed to the Kikeleva Caves where we had our lunch: Spaghetti with chicken sauce, salad, fruits. Now we could finally see the two mountains Mawenzi and Kibo (this is the summit of the Kilimanjaro), both huge volcanoes. In the afternoon up again to the camp on 3.600 m. Another 200 m higher and back again but nevertheless I got a headache and slept very badly. Because it's dark so early, we also go to bed early and get up early. August 12: Sunny weather, the two summits could be seen, down in the valley (Kenya) clouds. Then we climbed onto the Tarn Hut on 4.300 m high where three Rangers were controlling the activities of the mountaineers. Very hot, very dusty, cloth around my face! Below the hut there was a little lake where the last water could be taken from. In the afternoon another 110 m higher, we feel that there's less oxygen, we have to breathe very often and deeply. Back again to the tents, suddenly an enormous sand storm, the tents must be fixed with big stones and rocks. We couldn't sleep during the night because the storm was so loud and we were afraid that the storm would take the tents with it. Everywhere is the sand, terrible. August 13: We walk from Tarn Hut (4.300 m) to School Hut (4.750 m) through a desert valley, nearly no plants, excellent view to the two mountains. Unfortunately the hut was being renovated, so we had to sleep in the tents again, full of sand. After the lunch we climbed about 100 m up to look for the path we would use during the coming night. Down again, 4 pm teatime, 5.30 p.m. dinner, then to bed, because wake-up is at midnight. August 14: The day I've dreamt of for so long. At 0.30 a.m. we started our summit day. Rubbles and boulders on our way up in a serpentine fashion. The guide says "pole-pole," that means "Walk slowly, slowly". Light comes from our torches. We had to breathe so much, there's so little oxygen, headache, but on and on we walk. At 5.15 a.m. we have reached the crater at 5.680 m height, the so-called Gilman's Point. The lack of oxygen is felt, we have light dizzy turns, but we continue our path. Along the crater, we pass terrific gigantic glaciers, then the sun rises, a wonderful feeling to look down upon Kenya and Tanzania, to be the highest in Africa, farther to the summit "Uhuru Peak" at 5.895 m. We have done it!!! We're happy and proud, take photos, but it's so terribly cold, the water in our bottles freezes. We walk down again as fast as we can because it's not good for the human body to stay in that height. Back to Gilman's Point, and then to Kibo Hut with 4.700 m. The rubbles are so good that we can "ski" down so fast that the others can't follow us. At 9 a.m. we have been to the Kibo Hut and waited for our friends. All of us 8 have succeeded. We're very happy that nothing bad has happened. No illness from the height, but a lot of headache, the strange feeling of being dizzy is still there. Our team was already here at the Kibo Hut, they walked round the mountain. We got a little lunch, then walked down again to the Horombo Hut with 3.700m. The headache disappears, but a very strong rain starts. We are wet up to the bones. We're feeling cold. Now into our tents??? No! I looked for the assembly hall, and found a dry section above under the roof, so we 8 slept dry and warm, whereas our team had to be in the tents. Then we could buy our first beers named "Kilimanjaro" and "Safari" and we drank a bit too much. We all hope that the weather will change for our last mountain day. August 15: At last we can wash ourselves in open air with fresh cold water, clean our teeth. After breakfast the weather was sunny again and hot and humid. We walked down to Mandara Hut in 2.700 m where we had lunch. Some monkeys were in the bushes nearby. Then we walked down through the rain forest to Marangu Gate in 1.800 m. Here we got a document proving that we have climbed the Kilimanjaro. Then I bought 22 beers for our team and made a speech and thanked them for all they did for us. They clapped their hands. Then we gave our old clothes, trousers, sweaters etc. to our team, because they were so poor, and they were so happy about it. Then we went by our cars to Moshi and to Arusha where we stayed in the Mountain Village Lodge overnight. For the first time we had a shower after those long days of dust and sweat. The Lodge is built in the style of Masai villages but luxurious. The dinner was served in a big tent with all you wanted to eat and drink. We felt like kings. We had to beware of mosquitoes again. August 16: We went back to the border of Tanzania - Kenya and then back to Nairobi where we stayed in a very good hotel overnight. August 17: In the morning we went to the Nairobi airport and flew back through Zurich to Munich. Dagmar and Anika waited for me at the Munich airport. My dream came true! |
