While it wasn't a summit day, this one seemed just as valuable for us... Coming to the end of the trail -safe and sound. We woke in Mweka Camp under -or perhaps in- the sea of clouds we'd been noticing so far below all week long. All were impressed with the quality of a 10,000 ft night of sleep. Breakfast involved a fair bit of laughter... all of the tension and worry over making the top is gone. We emerged to a couple of great and friendly songs by our 47 man staff, complete with dancing. We each then shook hands with every porter, cook, tent-builder, guide, and waiter and passed on well-earned gratuities to all. Then we got packs on again and rambled down the trail. At first it was easy walking... But eventually it was steep and slick and we went "pole pole" (slow) to avoid getting down in the dirt. Meanwhile, a constant stream of porters (ours and many from other teams) came screaming down the trail with forty-four pound loads balanced on their heads. When they hit the slick spots, they just went faster, yelling "jambo" as they passed. We transitioned quickly from heather to trees, to giant camphor trees to jungle. By midday we'd reached the Mweka Gate where we happily boarded the truck/bus and got rolling down the road. Halfway back along the highway, we stopped for a typically wonderful Dik Dik catered lunch. All were quite relaxed and content by then... But quite filthy. This was remedied soon after we got back to our hotel. The team was unrecognizable -in a good way- when we got back together for a victory dinner. We made toasts to a great climb and to the upcoming safari. Desert was occasion for celebrating Tom and Deborah's wedding anniversary. Onward. Best Regards, RMI Guide Dave Hahn