Barafu Camp at mount Kilimanjaro

5th Day: Barafu Camp - Summit - Barafu Camp - Mweka Camp (1300 mH ascent, 2800 mH descent, about 12 hours)

0 clock, the clock pipst, it means getting up at last, we both did not sleep much. Barbara plagued by the persistent diarrhea for two days still, actually worse. Several times she had on the night of the tent. While we are still comfortably in the sleeping bag stuck, we already hear the first groups to go past our tent. The night is clear, the stars and the nearly full moon bathe the landscape in a faint, dim light. Our chef has already prepared us tea and some biscuits. We sit next to our tent and try to eat a little. Four figures come, there are Christian and Julia, with them we had befriended already at the gate. Your group had only arrived yesterday to 22 clock in the camp, we were afraid they would not have been made so far, the more we were looking forward now to meet her. We should get together on this day, more often.

To 1 clock we leave, Barbara has severe abdominal cramps. Despite taking four tablets of Imodium diarrhea can not be stopped, even from the beginning it is for them in this state very hard. I try to make the most uniform and thoughtful pace. The first steeper section leads on some sloping rocks, by the bright moon is the way to recognize, however, well, soon to have her eyes adjusted to the darkness, and I turn off the headlamp. Barbara abdominal cramps are getting worse, she decides again 'on the big side' to go. Thus, the spasms can indeed for something, but it loses every time a lot of energy and heat. Evenly step we climb up the scree slope. Further up again the headlights of the other groups are seen.
We are about 2 hours on the road, as we come down the first people in the counter, they were not at the top, had to turn back for any reason. It should soon be many more episodes. The number of those for which the increase is too much seems at Kilimanjaro summit to be quite high. Some time later, we pick one of the groups that have started before us. After a break, they go right in front of us on, unfortunately, a very inhomogeneous pace, I'm annoyed almost anything, but then look for another way to get at the group over. Slowly it begins to dawn on the Stella point is already in sight. The mountain is bathed in a great light, as the sun rises over the horizon - finally get some warm sunshine. Our toes are very cold, especially Barbara has it by the frequent 'escape' made not get the feet to warm again, it is not until the descent to the toes were felt again, the tip of the right big toe took a few weeks.
Finally we reach the Stella Point. First a little rest, then we'll see. Also Christian and Julia are nearing the same time as us, both already here very happy, they were never so high up. It is quite a fray here are some people ready to go, a woman lies exhausted on the ground and is taken care of their pets. Hitherto's're already over 1100 meters in altitude. With the way the night has fortunately not been seen so far.
Although Barbara is already quite exhausted, she is, because she insists on going on to Uhuru Peak. Well if we ever come this far. Also, Julia and Christian to do with our way. Slowly and with a few short breaks, we follow the crater rim. And it's there still, the snow on Kilimanjaro. The people we meet that need to be partially supported by their leaders, they are so exhausted. A good half hour later we reach the highest point in Africa. A crowd creeps around the famous sign, which probably used every 'Summitter' as a background for his summit photo. I'm happy really, that we are still made it far and am very proud of Barbara on her stunning performance. Also, Julia and Christian have managed to get out for both the highest point and definitely a high point in her life.
We rest a bit, eat a granola bar, and of course make the obligatory summit photo. Barbara would like to visit again as soon as possible before, because it has a little scared by the exhaustion of being more prone to symptoms of Height sickness. Plagues me a headache already for hours, but I've left the majority of our liquid stocks Barbara because she has lost in the diarrhea much more fluid. The few drinks also goes to me passing. Vanishing, and I hope that it would be better on the way down. Despite Barbara's exhaustion we just two hours back to Barafu Camp. The screes can literally walk in a straight line down. After about 9 hours and 15 minutes we are back in stock.
After a rest, and packed up our gear we make with our crew on the way to Mweka Camp. Approximately another 1500 meters of descent, but it goes down easier. After about 2 1/2 hours we arrive at the warehouse, back in the rain forest zone, which is her name that night and equitable.
As part of the descent, I ask our guide also what ideas he has for the obligatory tip. His ideas then differed considerably from ours, and after a 'we will think about it' on our part was the mood that day not so great. About tip below for more!

finally - the sun comes
not far to the
Stella Point
Happy but exhausted at
Uhuru Peak
while descending the crater rim
the snow on Kilimanjaro