Success!

It is just a few hours since we returned from our eight day climb. The internet connection is slow, so I won't be able to give you many details, but the most important information is that we were both successful in getting to the summit of Mt Kilimanjaro (26 July 2010). It was surprisingly easy, given the hugeness of the mountain. It was easy because we trained well, because we allocated enough days to acclimatize, and because we had a good guide and team supporting us. Edward, our guide, had a deliberate pace that he maintained for the entire time. In demonstrating, day after day, that we were able to meet the anticipated time goals by going at his speed, I came to trust him to lead me up the mountain. So on summit day I just trudged behind his red gaiters, step after step, and listened to my iPod music, and eventually we got there! Fortunately we did not have any serious problems with the altitude, which was a real gift, since many people do. Initially the outfitter had suggested that since we were "old", that we would take longer to get to every stage, but we made the summit in 6 hours, and passed quite a few other groups along the way, so that felt vindicating.