Life #11: Social Elevation
These limericks describe our journey and my personal experiences on Mount Kilimanjaro, the incredible guides and support crew, our committed trekking team, and an evolving relationship with the mountain as the challenge got harder. At such elevation, we faced the reality that our ultimate destination was no assured destiny.
Day 1
Kwa heri Kilimanjaro, with love and affection
An amazing adventure, of fondest reflection
A metaphorical steeple
And Tanzanian people
Who enabled our journey, and set the direction
Fourteen trekkers, and over fifty local crew
Guides, porters, cooks, tent men, and table waiters too
We bonded as one team
We all shared the same dream
We could never have set foot, if it wasn’t for you
Come the day, we were climbing Mt Kili at last
Only instruction was not, to go out too fast
Our gear had been spread
Up on our porters’ heads
We had so much equipment, and a huge support cast
Liberated from wifi, internet and phone
Happy to be walking, with thoughts of my own
Lots of conversation
Group assimilation
Ascending from Machame, to the Rain Forest zone
That night our first glimpse, above the forest floor
The sight that we saw, locked gazes in awe
We stared in disbelief
At her massive massif
Never seen such imposing, beauty before
Day 2
We climbed above three thousand, eight hundred metres
In the heat of the sunshine, guzzling down litres
Gaining elevation
In Moorland vegetation
Reached Shira camp, just as energy peters
Still Kilimanjaro hovers, in heavens above
Tantalizing and teetering, but frugal with love
It must be deserved
She’s shy and reserved
We must show her kindness, to work hand in glove
Day 3
Ascended from that crater, of boulders and wildflower
At four thousand six hundred, we reached the Lava Tower
But air non-conducive
Summit still elusive
Yet mesmerized by magic, majestical power
The ridge outlined her face, so beautifully endowed
But a morning vista, was all she allowed
When a high summit gale
Blew her glacial veil
Then our mystical woman, was covered in cloud
We’d climbed through the stunning, Alpine Desert zone
At each elevation, a natural bond grown
Our lady of the sky
Smiling down from yon high
But can we yet call, this mountain our own?
After a nine-hour day, I crawled into my tent
Inhaling thin air, and totally spent
Lacking in appetite
Needing an early night
Fleeting doubts that I’ll make, the final summit ascent
Day 4
Next morning our lady, was still standing tall
As we scrambled up the steep, Barranco rock wall
Volcanic formations
Precarious situations
With views down the valley, we were rising to the call
But at heightened elevation, extra effort’s required
Air’s oxygenation, clearly less than desired
Sleep a distant memory
Struggling with lethargy
Maintaining inspiration, feeling constantly tired
Day 5
We reached camp Barafu, on a high rocky bluff
Four thousand seven hundred, but still not yet enough
Twelve hundred left to go
Early hours tomorrow
We’re under no illusion, it’s going to be tough
Looking to the summit, it was poignant to witness
A helicopter rescue; an injury or sickness
A quick evacuation
To reduce elevation
Hoping our team will have, better luck and fitness
We rested at this base camp, with last things to prepare
For tomorrow’s summit push, so happy to be here
This peak looks enormous
Will likely transform us
Commanding full deference, while intimidating fear
Day 6
Woke well before midnight, to a full moon gleaming
Sleep somewhat sporadic, had long lost its meaning
God willing, next stop
Will be at the top
We lined up in silence, just our head lamps beaming
In the darkness of night, we nervously trekked
Blind faith in our lady, and what to expect
Her promise must be earned
And love only returned
To those who embrace her, with utmost respect
Every upward step, lungs were heaving for air
Heart was beating like, a staccato drum snare
Climbing at this altitude
Needs positive attitude
Yet frozen, nauseous, and emotionally thread-bare
As boots crunched on the trail, of crushed volcanic shard
In this final love match, Kili puts up her guard
Eight hours of her teasing
No sign of it easing
Oh why dearest lady, do you make this so hard?
Your love is discerning, up at such a high bar
But I am not giving up, for I have come too far
You can take my breath away
Yet we will meet today
I will love you Mt Kili, just however you are
Other teams turned around, looking ashen and ill
From altitude sickness, seemed they’d been through the mill
Their missions aborted
Now quickly escorted
As fast as possible, straight back down the hill
Each strenuous stride, or a reach with no clasp
Broke the slow rhythm, each breath was a gasp
When lungs started heaving
It felt they were leaving
The sun was arising, the crater within grasp
Glacial Zone temperatures, down to twenty minus
Then at sunrise we reached, her most esteemed highness
Physically exhausted
Spiritually transported
That summiting feeling, was the absolute finest
On the roof of Africa, our love was agape
On a barren, eroded, volcanic moon scape
But oh dear Kilimanjaro
Where did all your old snow go?
Succumbing to climate change, there’s just no escape
In my top jacket pocket, I hold my sister near
I’d told her of Mt Kili, before she died this year
I laid a small photo
And little memento
Under a rock of lava, as a precious souvenir
Then all of a sudden, tears started to flow
For family and friends, their world far below
For our whole climbing team
We achieved the same dream
Then our guides instructed, that down we should go
Back down to our base tents, for a very short rest
Then that afternoon, down further we pressed
Nothing left in the tank
When arriving at camp
Just ecstatic we survived, the ultimate test
Day 7
We savoured our last walk, out to Mweka Gate
Hakuna matata, normality can wait
It will take a lot to
Drag me away from you
May these echoes of Africa, long reverberate
Our anthropomorphic goddess, you held us honest
We tread you with respect and you, honoured your promise
No walk round the block
But now our pride rock
No your love don’t come easy, you’re so proud and modest
Our souls rest on that mountain, in your eternal care
Every ounce of our being, still residing up there
This story of immersion
Of extreme exertion
Of exceptional memories … that forever we will share
Kevin Holmes • 18th August 2023
