Mount Kilimanjaro Cybercasts

The Mulas Locas marched out of camp in the early dark. Above them yet were small strings of headlamps pointed up mountain. Dawn broke for them two hours later at Piedra Blanca and they took off their lamps. At La Cueva they looked up at the rocky cumbre, on steep snow and rocks they slowly plodded up. Energy thinned from the Mulas as fast as the air did and yet the guides did not relent on the group pace. At the top of the rocky crag of the summit flopped 10 of our 12 expedition members and 3 of the original guides. There was hollering hugging many starred blankly. After an hour of taking pictures and trying to stall what really was only finding the long and difficult road home at the summit. Several cried hot tears that fogged their goggles. The team walked back down with slightly less cohesion and vim than before to the cave. I took stock of the teams water and most were out. I collected the hot water supplies in the remaining thermos’s and team had enough melted water to not have to turn on our stove to make it back to Colera. The victory march ended up a 1000m strung out formation opposite to our march up. They waited for an hour and played music and hugged and shook hands with each summiter who returned in that long string. The two that summited and had done Denali prior both said that this summit day was as hard or harder than their climb of that North American high point. The summiters had hollow eyes, exhausted slouches and many had bad sunburn and politely returned the gestures.

The weary Mulas temporarily split into two clusters heading down from Colera. Pedro who had many years experience as a porter would lead the ones with the strongest legs down the “portero direct”. Juan would lead the other group down the normal descent trail. I would split some time between the two to emotionally support the expedition worn climbers.

The portero direct group jogged and hopped down the scree right down the middle of the normal route. A few slipped on their butts and bounced back to their feet. A few were out of breath and leaned in on their sticks panting.

I joined the other group on the main trail a little while later. One climber was in her pain cave and walked right by me with a grunt dragging her boots. A few others were better off but no one loved wearing double boots in the sun and the heat.

At camp several Mulas asked for expedition chores and duties and I referred them to the drink menu and the neighboring Cantina tent, and it is there most spent the rest of the afternoon and evening.

-Don Nguyen

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North American high point.

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The summiters had hollow eyes, exhausted slouches and many had bad sunburn and politely returned the gestures.

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The two that summited and had done Denali prior both said that this summit day was as hard or harder than their climb of that

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They waited for an hour and played music and hugged and shook hands with each summiter who returned in that long string.

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Athe team had enough melted water to not have to turn on our stove to make it back to Colera.

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The victory march ended up a 1000m strung out formation opposite to our march up.

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