There are times when you save places of the world for special occasions, for the right and opportune moment. Possibly the “Kili” was one of them. It promised and scared me.
First because it was already a long-time dream, but above all because it was an African excuse to meet up again with two friends whom I really appreciate, Achim and Sally Ann, German and South African. We had met on a previous trip and our friendship – despite the distance – had managed to overcome the barriers of time. Once one of them called me to inform of his intention to make the summit with more people. “There are places, do you sign up? Let Achim know if he wants to come.” Incredible. After a long time we meet in Moshi, Tanzania.
Second was because I had heard about how necessary it was to be minimally prepared to make a climb of such a degree. What if altitude sickness, what if the chances of losing your life in an irresponsible setback… Let’s see, one is no longer a child and I don’t climb 6,000 meters every weekend. Even if you don’t want the topic, give enough respect to be prudent. The worst thing was hearing absolutely mixed and opposite information depending on who was telling you about their experience. I ended up not asking any more questions and not giving the matter more thought. I would go up. It’s over. If only for the fulfillment of a wish and the peace of mind of going with Achim and Sally Ann.
BAGGAGE
Curiously, I was worried about issues that were not going to give me the slightest problem. The luggage. I arrived in Nairobi (from there I was going to Tanzania). Me. Alone. Because my luggage had stayed in London. I started to suffer from altitude sickness before my time. The next flight from London would not land until Saturday, and on Sunday morning the Kili expedition began. I believe that my condition as a Catholic was reinforced by the act of faith that I showed by praying so much. I only had to get down on my knees on the landing strip. The next morning I dropped by the airport where I learned that another flight was arriving from London. I suppose that in this life I have already exhausted my divine desires and requests because there was my luggage, my fantastic dear and phenomenal luggage. I was too confident. After so many years of travel and airport suffering from baggage loss, plane delays and various other anecdotes, I still don’t know how I could manage to dismiss the possibilities of that happening. First success.
THE CLIMB
Backpack ready, emotional reunion and eager to scratch the back of the mountain. There it was, the KILI, standing tall, wise, ancient. Calm in his existence, loaded with ticklish fleas that, through any of the two furrows in its skin, climbed the gap fighting to overcome himself. All the humans who caused their laughter with their footsteps sweated at every step to reach the top. As we closed the distance to the sky I surprised myself at my ability to resist. It hadn’t clicked yet. There is no need to comment on the physical effort involved. Maybe the mental one.
Last camp before the climb
THE CLIMB
Backpack ready, emotional reunion and eager to scratch the back of the mountain. There it was, the KILI, standing tall, wise, ancient. Calm in his existence, loaded with ticklish fleas that, through any of the two furrows in its skin, climbed the gap fighting to overcome himself. All the humans who caused their laughter with their footsteps sweated at every step to reach the top. As we closed the distance to the sky I surprised myself at my ability to resist. It hadn’t clicked yet. There is no need to comment on the physical effort involved. Maybe the mental one.
Sometimes my subconscious branded me a martyr by choice for not throwing in the towel. My inner battle is worthless compared to what I found at the top: AFRICA. In its splendor. We all melted into a hug of tiredness and satisfaction. We had set ourselves a goal and we managed to reach it with a lot of wear and tear after thirteen very intense hours of climbing (we are not Edmund Hillary!). They say that there are seven wonders in the world. Who should have told them did not know the eight or did not have much information. Silence fell. Even our tears made noise as they ran down our cheeks with emotion in that immense lake of clouds and skyscrapers of nature gently caressed by the incipient light of the sun that we saw rising from the top of Africa.
Something to remember. And to explain. And to live.
The only iceberg on top
At the top