Summiting Mount Kilimanjaro (19,340 ft) September 24, 2007
We left camp and started for the summit Monday morning at 1:00 am (4:00 pm MST on Sunday). We summited at 9:45 am (12:45 am MST). The summit is Uruhu Peak, 19,340 feet — the tallest peak in Africa and the tallest free-standing mountain rise in the world. On the way down, we saw a family of colobus monkeys. They looked like skunks in a tree.
I don’t have much time, but a couple of things: (1) The animals come so close that binoculars are unnecessary. (2) It doesn’t look like the phone is going to work, so I won’t be in touch again until after the climb. But my gear is here!!!!!! I have to run to go get it.
By the way — today I saw giraffes, water buffalo, impala, baboons, monkeys, zebras, etc.
Well, I’m here — and using a Swiss keyboard. I’m at the hotel, safe, with my camera, but my luggage is somewhere between here and Atlanta — about a 6,000 mile stretch. I hope it shows up by tomorrow.
It’s time for this blog to start to earn its keep. I have a 10:40 appointment with an airplane this morning. The flight promises to be a lovely test of patience as I leave this morning and arrive in Arusha, Tanzania tomorrow evening at 8:00 p.m. Given the time difference, it looks to be about twenty two hours from the time I hit Salt Lake City International Airport until I touch down in Tanzania.
I read that Tanzania has its share of Internet cafes, so when possible I plan on posting from there. I’ve also read that there are places on the mountain with cell phone service, so I’ve borrowed my brother’s GMS cell phone and purchased a Tanzanian SIM chip. If the rumor is true, I hope to be calling in updates from the mountain to my brother Russell, who will post them here.
I got word yesterday that our group reached our fund-raising goal exceeding $100,000. (Click here if you don’t know about the fund-raiser) Thanks to all of you who supported this effort by contributing to one or more of our charitable organizations.