Kilimanjaro: Hahn & Team Reach Summit!
Sunday, August 13, 2023 - 7:24 am PT
We had an extremely nice day for going to the top of Africa. Waking at 11 last night it was dead calm and when we unzipped the tents and looked out, the lights of Moshi and a hundred other towns and villages in Tanzania were winking up at us. The ever-present cloud deck wasn't present. Overhead, the Milky Way dazzled us. We ate a quick "breakfast" and got climbing by midnight. The cold temps were a challenge, but less so without wind. We marched up through the night, taking quick hourly breaks in the lava, gravel and pumice. We were at Stella Point on the crater rim when the sun rose at 6:35 and magically it was still calm on the mountaintop. It was a beautiful walk in the morning light over to Uhuru, the summit of Kilimanjaro. We celebrated up top and took plenty of pictures. We'd just begun walking down when one of the remaining summit glaciers calved with a thunderous crash into a pool of meltwater. We were stunned by the action, but also by the fact that a sizable pool of unfrozen water existed at 19,000 ft. We slid down the rock scree of our ascent route, reaching high camp just after 10 AM. Our staff sang and danced to give us a memorable and fun welcome. We finished the day with a rugged hike down to Mweka Camp at 10,000 ft, arriving at 3:30 PM under sunny skies. The team is getting set for a final night on the mountain. Our team did well, placing seven of nine climbers on top and crucially nine of nine safely down afterward. Our support team blew our minds with the quality and quantity of help they provided as we pursued our dream summit.
Best Regards,
RMI Guide Dave Hahn
Sunday, August 13, 2023 - 1:10 AM PT
A quick check in from RMI Guide Dave Hahn with the photo above to let us know the team reached the summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro at 7:15 am local time. The team has safely descended back to High Camp, Barafu, as of 10:15 am local time. They will continue their descent to Mweka Camp, their final mountain camp of the trip.
Congratulations team!
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Comments (15)
Go Team! You are all rock stars! The pictures are incredible. Allison- I need a slide show when you get home!
Posted by: Anne Walsh on
Congratulations on such a huge accomplishment! So proud of you!
Posted by: Andy Feingold on
Congrats Allison!!! What an amazing achievement. Reiner is certainly smiling and loving every moment of this journey. All the best and safe travels home.
Posted by: Ian Paisley on
So proud of all of you! Congratulations! Allison’s friend, Melissa
Posted by: Melissa Hunter on
So proud of Allison and team. Chris Reiner always gets an upgrade!!
Posted by: Bowdoin Girls on
Way to go Allison and team!!! What an amazing accomplishment!!!! I know Chris Reiner helped with the nice weather. So amazing!!!
Posted by: Liz on
CONGRATULATIONS team! Can’t wait to hear all about this incredible achievement when you get home Allison! Xoxo
Posted by: Kristen K on
WOOHOO Dave D and Team…What an amazing adventure, can’t wait to hear all about it when you get home! Congrats on all the hard work you put into this venture!, before and on Kili! God’s Blessings
Now on to Safari adventure!
Love, Bev
Posted by: Bev Kittleson on
Congratulations to the whole team!!! It has been so fun to follow the blog each day… What an adventure!
Dave D, Tim and I are so proud and excited for you!!! We are praying for the safe descent of the entire team. Time to celebrate with safari!
Posted by: Tifani Rule on
What an accomplishment Allison & team. I can only imagine the view and the overflowing of emotions.
Posted by: Rosie on
Wow Allison, way to go! Uncle Tom and I are so impressed with you and the team and this accomplishment! Congratulations! What wonderful memories of being so close to heaven and Chris. This is truly amazing and we wish you all continued safe travels down the rest of the way and home. Love you!
Posted by: Uncle Tom & Aunt Linda on
What an amazing accomplishment! Congratulations!!!!!
Posted by: Phyllicia Thomason on
Congratulations, team! You are amazing!
Posted by: Wendy Wade on
Woohoo!! Congratulations! Allison - I’ve been rooting for you
Posted by: Christiane Boezio on
Ohhhhhhhhh
Emmmmmmm
JeeeeeeeZow!!
Yea!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Deb Beechy on