Jambo rafikis (hellos friends)!
Made it to Uhuru Peak on 3/10/12 at 0630 in a perfectly clear sky and beautiful full moon (never even turned my torch on the entire summit night). Breathtaking! One of the most incredible sights these eyes have ever seen. Glaciers galore!
Was going to do an 8 day Lemosho route for better acclimitization, but at the last minute me and my guide decided to do Shira instead (aparently the first day on Lemosho is very long and muddy as the rainy season has started). Even though it seems like every wandering tourist and his/her grandmother can hike this peak, it is still quite challenging, and some did it in better style than others.
A bit of history for those that don't know me....I attemped the 7 day Machame Route in January 2009, but developed a pulmonary infection on day 2 and never recovered. I pushed on with much physical and mental stress until high camp when I finally decided there would be no way of me making the top and so I turned back. A very emotional experience, but the end product was a transformation that was necessary that I am grateful for.
I have learned a lot hiking/climbing the CA 14ers and on my last trip as well. I think these lessons and some luck helped me this go around. I feel like I did better in many ways and was fortunate not to get an infection or AMS (headache, nausea/vomiting, etc.). There was a handful of people that turned back at Barafu Camp and several more on the summit push, but lots of us made it al the way.
Much thanks to Kurt Wedberg at Sierra Mountaineering International for lining this up and all the encouragement/support. Everything went vey well. Thanks to the staff at ZARA and the Springlands Hotel. Special thanks to my Tanzanian guide Sylvester Modest. He is an amazing Kili guide and human being. If and when I come back, I would roll with him without exception.
I will write up a trip report and post my pictures when I arrive back in California on the 15th. Thanks for reading!
Casey Flowe
