Kilimanjaro - Stella Point and beyond...

As we came over the edge, Celeste and the rest of the team had just summited and were all very emotional. Sean's nose was bleeding. They thought we had turned back so they were feeling very bleak.  It was a very emotional reunion.  

 

 

We took photos, hugged lots,  sorted out the video camera, the water situation and took the flag. A decision was made that Thomas would go back down with the  rest of the team to arrange a Kili Ambulance for Khabo.

 I felt sad as Thomas and I had made a pact somewhere along the way  that he would show me the special rock on the mountain and that we would summit together.

We then parted ways and we summited 2 hours later.  I remember passing the glaciers, they are majestic and magical.  It looks all so surreal. These sheer cliffs of blue, white ice sitting on volcanic desert like ash. 

 Frank and Paul were in good spirits. Frank kept on saying that we are here, open your mind. And was humming along as we trekked the last stretch of the crater the the highest point in Africa.

Khabo visible in her red jacket against the stark grey sand and ash, shuffled along behind us.  She was only able to see black and white shadows at this point and I wished she could see what we all were seeing. 

To our left we came across the  glaciers to our right jagged boulders and rocks lay scattered in our path.  The wind had picked up and ice from the glaciers was being flung in our direction, hitting our already battered bodies and faces adding insult to injury!

We also had time in between trying to get our breath back, to look down the volcano crater. The lava underneath, together with the ash and sand had formed magical patterns on the surface.  

We watched as the clouds drifted over the crater creating shadows dancing over the ever changing cloud patterns.