Kilimanjaro!!

Just back from a week on the mountain. Don't even know where to start!!! SO I guess I'll start at the (almost) end: Uhuru Peak at 19, 000+ ft at 5am on \Thursday morning! I have never passed so much air through my lungs for so little oxygen!!! Shall we say the air was a bit thin!! Polepole was definitely the word (slowly slowly - it's the only way you can go - even Mike Boucher would have to slow down!!) We began the summit climb at midnight under a full moon which lit our way so well that we never even turned on our headlamps. Reached Stella point overlooking the crater at 4am, then walked another hour to reach the highest point: Uhuru. Along the left as we walked was the Reitman Glacier - illuminated by the moonlight and looking as though it had its own internal light - absolutely unearthly!! In fact the entire landcape during the whole week made me feel like I was an another planet. Wish I could post pics...but I've almost given up on that at this point...it just takes too long. Anyway - it's an amazing mountain!! \Mitch - you will be surprised to know that when I came down from the summit I was so wiped out (after not sleeping the night before and being unable to sleep after) that I was feeling like I've seen enough of mountains for quite some time. After some sleep my enthusiasm has returned however!! :)

Mark and Glen - you would have enjoyed "my team": the porters, cook and guide who accompanied me through the whole trip: Pdiddy, Yusuf, Yasin, Godfrey ..
Kim F - and Rita - Many times throughout the week I wished you were there. Being a solo climber was fine - met some interesting folks along the way - but missed my "tent buddy".

Kim F and Maz - The 100 mile WIlderness is now officially in second place for the "hardest thing I've ever done"
- and Kathy and Kim H - I'm really ready for a party now!! Let's get together soon when I get home!