Post-Hike Reflections

The Kilimanjaro National Park Ranger issued a certificate: "This is to Certify that Stephen & Theresa Woo have successfully climbed Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest peak in Africa, right to the Summit--Uhuru Peak- 5895 meters [19340']"

Was it worth it?

Imagine a trip where you will get tired, sore, hungry, tired, cold, achy, uncomfortable, discouraged, numb, hurt, cut, dirty, itchy, sleepless, nauseated, scared, hot, sweaty, etc. The sanitary standard that you have been used to, such as hot shower, flush toilet, clean water to drink, safe fruits and vegetables to eat, will just get thrown out of the window. Can you imagine this? A Kilimanjaro climb is like that and a lot more! Your physical and mental envelope will be pushed to the limit.

However, in the end you will be so happy and proud to have climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro. The journey up and down the Mountain will be unforgettable; it will be forever etched in your mind and heart.

I'll always remember the Mountain whenever I hear Gloria Estefan's song "Reach":

Click Here for a Real Audio Version of Reach

If I could Reach, higher

Just for one moment touch the sky

From that one moment in my life I'm gonna be stronger

Know that I've tried my very best I'd put my spirit to the test

If I could reach

Lemmy.jpg (40034 bytes) [Kilimanjaro- Kibo Peak from Mweka Route. A postcard by Anton Lemmy]

I sent an electronic-mail postcard to our friends and family from the Lake Manyara Serena Safari Lodge. Read it here

In 2000, Theresa wrote this to a friend of a friend who was interested in going to Kilimanjaro.

Climbing Kilimanjaro was one of the greatest experiences of our lives. It was a definite "peak" experience, and we hope to do it again in ten years. We decided to climb Kilimanjaro nine years ago when we were on safari in Kenya. There we were in Kenya, and we could see Kilimanjaro all the way in the next country over in Tanzania. Now to answer your questions:

1. We were on the mountain for nine days with seven days up and two days down. This is one of the slower climbs, but with a slower climb there is a slower success. One hundred percent of our group of 14 climbers made it to the top. If you were in a hurry, you could do the "Coca-cola" route, which is up and down in five days, but we saw people turn back. Your body needs time to acclimate to the altitude, so I recommend taking it slow. Plus, you get a chance to enjoy the varied vegetation and take pictures of the great views.

2. We went with Wilderness Travel which is an adventure travel company based in Berkeley, CA. We did both of our trips to Kenya and Tanzania through them and have been extremely satisfied. There is a risk of hooking up with a trip through Tanzania—you may not get what you are paying for.

3. We did go on safari in Tanzania after we climbed Kilimanjaro. ( I definitely recommend doing the climb first as you will eat too well on safari). Unfortunately, we were in Tanzania last year after a drought so the animals were not as vast and varied as they would be after a normal rain fall. For people who never been on safari, they though Tanzania was great; however, we prefer Kenya. It is possible if you have the time and money to got to Kenya after the climb. I would recommend staying in tents over the huts. While we did not stay in any hut, we passed some, and they really smell.

The people of Tanzania are wonderful. When you are climbing the mountain and at night at camp you have lots of time to talk to the Tanzanians and learn about their lives. We talked about any subject you could imagine—religion, politics, housing, cosmetics. The Tanzanians also want to know about life in America—how we live and what we think. Our assistant trip leader, Samia, was great, and we found we like the same type of music. As he even dresses similarly to my husband, Stephen, we call him Stephen’s African twin brother.

Take care and happy trekking.

Theresa

Here is an article by Ede in Gastronome magazine, a national publication of the Chaine des Rotisseurs. It was in Vol 3, 1999. Read it here Read it here

Here is an e-mail by another Kili climber Shane. Read his intriguing adventure.

We are glad that we climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro rather than going to see the mountain gorillas in Uganda. It's so sad to learn that some tourists were murdered. In fact, two of the slain people are from Intel. (Click here for a Newsweek article.)

Climbing Mt. Kili is not a cake walk, as evidenced by the tourists that died on Dec 31, 1999.

Millennium Celebrants Die Scaling Kilimanjaro