Latest News – Summit Day

We’ve had our first satellite call of the day with the team. Last night, Kati decided that Kibo Camp was her summit and that she would not be going further.  She was suffering from a severe headache and high heart rate – both of which got better with some rest and plenty of water. However, she took the wise decision to stay in camp rather than try to go further up the mountain. Brave Kati has proved the theory that sometimes it’s the fittest people who struggle most with altitude.

The rest of the team got to Gilman’s Point at 1pm. Rob made it to the top of Gilman’s and is now on his way back to Kibo Camp with two experienced guides.  He has struggled with a stomach bug over a couple of days and was not entirely happy with his stats (blood oxygen and heart rate), so he made the decision to come down from that point – which is at the top of Kilimanjaro anyway.  Again, a super fit team member who made a very good  and brave decision.  Safety is the highest priority.

The other 9 members of Team Ubuntu are currently hiking around the crater rim to Uhuru.  They are all fit and well with only minor headaches.  Pole pole, Team Ubuntu!

Kati, Rob and the rest of Team Ubuntu…we are SO proud of you all.  You have all done a brilliant job!  Keep safe and well…

Photos from the morning of Summit Day

Team Ubuntu are doing well and we’ve had a few photos from their climb up towards the summit. With just 2-3 hours to go to reach Gilman’s Point, they are making great progress and are right on schedule.  From Gilman’s Point, it takes around another 2-3 hours (or so) to reach the Uhuru Peak.

“The last couple of hours up to Gilman’s Point is very tough,” says Pippa Hall, who was a member of Team Ascenders and climbed Kilimanjaro some 15 months ago. “During this next phase the team will be stretched to the limit.  Already today, they have been on the go for so many hours and the physical effort at altitude will mean that they are exhausted.”

“Once they reach Gilman’s Point, they still have another 2-3 hours to go, but the walk around the rim is a bit less steep,” adds Pippa.  “It’s still really tough going – and of course the effects of altitude are different for everyone – but the views are stunning and today is particularly clear right now.  We’re hoping it stays that way for the team.”

Amazingly, we’ve had a few photos through from this morning, courtesy of Rolf Roth:

Sunrise from the slopes of Kilimanjaro        On their way up…in clear blue skies

On the way…in beautiful clear skies!

Rest stops before the push to Gilman’s Point.                                                                             Hiking above the clouds…                                                             

GOOD LUCK TEAM UBUNTU…YOU CAN DO IT!