Kilimanjaro diary - Summit Day
No news yet from the 1st for Women Kilimanjaro team but, from the weather forecast issued at 0100 this morning, that's hardly surprising.
They were already higher than the freezing level of 4600 vertical metres when they started out for the summit last night and the forecast sleet (snow and rain) would have made the going extremely unpleasant. Of course conditions may not have lived up to the forecast and it's possible there was just cloud cover blocking the satellite signal.
I'm guessing the earliest news will most likely be when Deshun gets back down to Horombo Hut later today - if there's no cloud cover. Watch this space!
3 Day Weather Forecast
for 4524 m altitude,
issued (local time): 01 am 12 Jan
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Weather Summary:A dusting of new snow Freeze-thaw conditions (max 3°C on Mon morning, min -1°C on Sat night) Wind will be generally light |
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Sat 12 morn- ing |
Sat 12 after- noon |
Sat 12 night |
Sun 13 morn- ing |
Sun 13 after- noon |
Sun 13 night |
Mon 14 morn- ing |
Mon 14 after- noon |
Mon 14 night |
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| Wind (km/h) |
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| Summary | snow shwrs | clear | clear | clear | snow shwrs | snow shwrs | clear | snow shwrs | snow shwrs |
| Snow cm | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 1 | - |
| Rain mm | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Max °C | 2 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| Min °C | 0 | 1 | -1 | 2 | 0 | -1 | 0 | 0 | -1 |
| Windchill °C | -5 | -3 | -6 | -3 | -5 | -6 | -5 | -4 | -5 |
| Freezing level (m) | 4600 | 4750 | 4650 | 4550 | 4700 | 4600 | 4550 | 4750 | 4600 |
| Sunrise | 5:30 | - | - | 5:30 | - | - | 5:30 | - | - |
| Sunset | - | 17:46 | - | - | 17:46 | - | - | 17:46 | - |
To the 1st For Women
To the 1st For Women Kilimanjaro team - it's wonderful to hear everybody is well! You had us all glued to our PC's! CONGRATULATIONS to all of you - you've experienced Kili in quite a way, you are true heroes, we're all proud of you.
Deshun & Hannes – well done, can’t wait to see that very important 1 picture!
Deshun, a special congratulations to your mission accomplished.
Sonja
Congratulations to Deshun
Congratulations to Deshun and Hannes. I believe they made it to the top!! To those who did not, it take great courage to turn back. A sign of a true hero is he who makes the right decision in a dangerous situation so that he can try again in the future.
JP
Beautifully put, JP!
Beautifully put, JP! Deshun believes that an expedition is successful not because everyone got to the top, but when each team member has gone as far as they could and has got back down again - safely. This expedition has been a success because the individual climbers did exactly that - each went as far as they could, no further, and tonight everyone is back down safely.
Lynn & Thembi, I also spend
Lynn & Thembi, I also spend the night in front of the kassie (with the laptop next to me, of course), but can't remember the name of the movie (oeps, that say something doesn't it!)- it was a feel-good-chick movie about a lady quiting her job and starting a beauty salon on her own - taking up the challenge like the Pink Kili Team! Definately one of those movies that Hannes won't mind missig out on!
And yes, those guys un the mountain have definately managed to get me infront of the laptop for almost the entire week and that while I'm still on leave...... definately an unique way of spending my holiday! Everytime I get back at home, I first log into the website to see if there's any news yet!
Lynn, I also believe in "no news is good news" therefore I'm waiting patiently for the long awaited feedback of the last 3 days!
Hannes, volgende keer gaan niks my keer om saam te gaan nie, dit dryf my teen die mure uit om nie deel van jul opwinding te wees nie - ek glo jy gaan baie stories he om te vertel.....
Sonja
Hi Lynn, Andy! I'm going to
Hi Lynn, Andy! I'm going to bed now, I've been watching Dr. 90210 and Girls of the PlayBoy Mansion, how shallow is that huh, but that's the only thing that could keep me from turning on the PC to find out the latest news! No news is good news, so off to bed I go and the first thing in the morning will be to log on. This site is addictive Lynn and the mountain is so beautiful! G'nite you guys on the mountain, sleep tight, don't let the "ice bugs" bite...Thembi (Andy's friend)
Psssst! Thembi, I'll let you
Psssst! Thembi, I'll let you into a secret. I also watched those programs! And the Girls of the Playboy Mansion was a repeat of the one I watched the previous night (when I was also waiting for Desh to Call)......but I watched it again anyway. I wonder if those guys on the mountain have any idea of the things they do to us! How about we have a get-together after they're back and tell them about the challenges, fear, doubts, courage and determination......THAT WE HAVE TO DEAL WITH WHILE THEY'RE OFF GETTING ALL THE GLORY!!! (I think I feel better now)
Lynn
Hi Lynn, I'm so glad someone
Hi Lynn, I'm so glad someone watches those mindless reality stuff, I love them! Yeah, if those climbers knew the theatre of the mind they've created in our heads .....Good idea Lynn, we should get together and tell them about our "journey" too - but they'll probably think we don't have much to do with our time. I'm now planting hibiscus in pots and repotting orchids, cant sit still to even read a newspaper...Thembi
Lynn, thanks again - you're
Lynn, thanks again - you're the best!
I'm imagining the pink team to be very tired tonight, talking about the past 24hours experience (the good, the not so good, the cameraderie), maybe shedding a tear of relieve that summit night is something of the past, cracking a joke or 2, laughing at each others summit stories, thanking God for His help, longing for a warm bath, soft mattress and a hug from their loved ones.....
To the 1st for Women team: whether you've been able to summit or not, you've just had an experience of a life time - nobody can take that away from you!
Hannes, jy's heeltyd in my gedagtes! Sonja
Ag, thanks, Sonja, for the
Ag, thanks, Sonja, for the kind words. It's my pleasure - and it's great chatting to you and the others.
Now did you also watch those incredibly irritating "Girls of the Playboy Mansion" last night to pass the time? Thembi and I have confessed - now it's your turn to tell all.
Hi Lyn, not sure if you
Hi Lyn, not sure if you received my comment, thanks for your refreshing and vivid descriptions and reporting, you've kept us glued to our PC screens! Have been logging in to check on any news of THE SUMMIT from the heroes and heroins of the 1st For Women Climbers, I'm Pink with Pride for the group, please convey this message..Thembi (Andy's friend). I'll log in later befor turning in. God bless you.
Hey Desh, "Good on you mate"
Hey Desh, "Good on you mate" - our thoughts and prayers are with you on this last final push for the summit. Good luck to you all. We are behind you every step of the way...wish we were there with you this time. Kili holds many marvellous memories for both me and Geoff as it was our very first mountaineering experience in 1999. I expect you will all come back down very different people. Kili has this way about it. It changes your perception of everything. All our love always, Lyn & Geoff Leader xxxxxx
Hey Lyn, any news about our
Hey Lyn, any news about our climbers? I've been out all day and just returning now for the good news. I've gnawed my nails to stubs wondering, did they all summit, how do they feel, what did they see, please God, I hope they are all alive, are they tired, can they breathe properly, they must be fine and are now spurred on my sheer adrenaline, by now they must have summitted and have returned to camp, resting and celebrating their summit...I won't sleep until I see your report. And thank you for your vivid and descriptive reports. Andy's friend Thembi.
Hi Thembi! No news yet
Hi Thembi! No news yet but read the story I've posted on the home page and calm your nerves. If anything bad had happened we would definitely have heard. It's a mountain and the weather's not great so communication is sketchy. Clouds = no sat signal. Also as they descend the oxygen levels increase and the body gets huge bursts of energy and breathing becomes easier with every metre they descend. We're sure to hear tomorrow and I'll let everyone know as soon as there's news.
Cheers, Lynn
PS I just love your comment about having "soared with eagles nogal"!!!
Phew! Thanx Lynn, I've read
Phew! Thanx Lynn, I've read your report and I'll go relax and watch some TV and eat chocolate to calm my nerves!
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