Kilimanjaro: Hahn & Team Complete Climb & Say Good bye to Mountain Staff
Posted by: Dave Hahn
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro
The team was smiling right from the start today. Excited to have had such a wonderful summit day, and energized by a full night’s sleep at the relatively low altitude of 10,000 ft. We finished with a morning in the rain forest. Thankfully it wasn’t raining as we carefully picked our way down the steep and muddy track for 4,000 vertical feet. We were entertained and amazed by the many porters running down the same track at high speed with heavy loads. As we made our way through the giant camphor trees, we saw a few shy monkeys and hyraxes. Above and beyond expectations since our wildlife safari doesn’t officially begin until tomorrow. At the gate, we signed out with Kilimanjaro National Park and then went a short distance to have a last lunch with our mountain staff. They sang, we danced and expressed our deep gratitude for the help and friendship they extended. And then we said goodbye and boarded our bus for the rough ride back to Rivertrees -our hotel in Usariver. We’d earned showers and clean clothes, a celebration dinner and a night in a bed. But the trip isn’t at all over. Safari starts in the morning.
Best
RMI Guide Dave Hahn
