The Way Down #1

Uhuru Peak was absolutely amazing. After photo taking and hugging, taking in the view, absorbing the achievement, it was time to go. Up that high the air is super thin so the guides only let you stay up at the top for around 15 minutes. Luckily, when you reach the top, time seems to slow down, the 15 minutes feels double or triple that.

We made our way back to Gilman's Point, the sun high in the sky, beaming down on our faces. After reaching Gilman's Point we began our steady descent down Jamaica Rocks. We thought going up Jamaica Rocks was tough, well, it was even tougher going down. Thank God for walking poles is all I'm gonna say. At the bottom of Jamaica Rocks we reached a place we hadn't actually seen before.

In the blackness of the night we'd shuffled along, meandering like a liquid snake, unable to take in our surroundings. A grey slope appeared before us thick with volcanic dust, a darker grey path slinking down marked out by hundreds of boots.

Walk down the way we came? No, no, no. "We will ski", says Joseph. It took me a while to get the technique, aided by Joseph. Doing your best to stay upright, using your walking poles for support, you take giant strides and slide down the scree. Although making the journey down shorter, it was hugely exhausting, especially after the gruelling ascent we'd already endured. But what goes up, must come down. Nearer to camp we were greeted by the porters who put up our tents everyday. They took our bags from us and helped us the rest of the way, our exhaustion evident.

After reaching camp we went straight to out tents and, fully dressed fell straight to sleep. We could only sleep for around 45 minutes as we had to descend lower to another camp that same day. After waking we had to pack up straight away and have a quick meal in the mess tent.

The next camp was several hours away and I admit I struggled on the journey, especially functioning on such little sleep. Upon reaching camp, after hours of trekking, we signed in and headed to the mess tent to greet the others. We had a fantastic meal that evening of Tanzanian stew and rice. The food on the trip was absolutely amazing the entire time, but this traditional meal was my favourite. That evening we just rested up with the others, playing card games and chatting.

That night, sleep beckoned to us and we were ready to fall into it's warm embrace.