Journey to Kilimanjaro
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Kilimanjaro Reflections:
Treasures and Lessons from the Mountain
Written by Tina Sibley in March 2022
As I write this a month after coming down from Kilimanjaro, I realise that my head and heart are still on that magnificent mountain. And a part of them always will be!
First of All - Reflections made the day after coming off the mountain
I found this video that I had made in my hotel in Musoma the day after coming down from Kili and it sums up my experience beautifully. Especially the Summit night and the last day.
Treasures that I found on Kilimanjaro
🏔 The most beautiful immersion in nature I have ever experienced. Going through 5 different climate zones (cultivation/rainforest/moorland/alpine desert/arctic). Views that take your breath away and leave you awed by the magnificence of mother nature.
🏔 A deeper respect for Mother Nature. She shone her brilliance on us, she growled at us, showed her teeth and tested us! And reminded us of our insignificance!
🏔 Peace. A silence and peace I've never quite experienced anywhere else although the Andes came close. Peace to focus on nothing else but the present moment. Peace to enjoy the sound of birds and enjoy the smell of the plants and rain. Peace to marvel at the formation of the rocks. To be alone with your thoughts.
🏔 Inner strength that was previously undiscovered. Until you're truly tested, you don't know how much you can take or what you're capable of! Through illness, bad weather and altitude I was tested way beyond anything that's ever tested me before! I'm not going to lie - I wobbled and wavered but ultimately found a strength I didn't know I had and fought through the suffering to taste the sweetest of victories - the knowledge that I can endure!
🏔 Unshakeable self-confidence. If I can climb the biggest free standing mountain in the world while sick and in bad weather, I can pretty much achieve ANYTHING I set my mind on!
🏔 Inspiration. The nature is inspiring. The achievement is inspiring - for me and for others.
🏔 Connection with others. There were moments of Connection with other people that will fill my soul forever! A Connection with all the guides that looked after me so well when I was sick. With my guide Kajeli who helped me so much on summit night. With one of my fellow hikers who gave me such a hug when she saw me reach Stella Point. With a total random stranger who had seen me suffering several times and was so delighted to see I was still going he came and gave me a hug!
These treasures are priceless and are gifts that I am so grateful for.
Lessons Learned
🏔 We are more capable of so much more than we know! I would never have believed that I could take on such a challenge when a few short years ago I got out of breath on a short, shallow incline!
🏔 Suffering is temporary. Victory is for ever! I've already forgotten a lot of my suffering. But my memories of standing at Uhuru Peak and all that signifies will last indefinitely!
🏔 Nothing great is achieved alone! Yes I did the work, yes it was my own 2 legs that got me there! But none of that would have been possible without so many others. My personal trainer, Lubo and my sports massage therapist, Gil who helped me get in shape. My friends for encouraging me and for hiking with me. The company that organised everything. The incredible guides who briefed us, led us and looked after us! James and Iddy for taking care of me when I passed out. Adolf for getting me up the Barranco Wall when I barfed all day. Mustafa for taking care of me every night at camp. Elisha for providing me with a hot water bottle every night. King Chewie (our chef) who provided amazing food to fuel us. All the porters for carrying everything. And last but not least, Kajeli for keeping me warm (I still can't believe he gave me his coat) and for keeping me motivated and getting me to Uhuru Peak.
🏔 Following on from the above point, it's essential to accept help. We can often try to be too independent. In fact sometimes we have to surrender control completely to a situation, allowing events to unfold and allowing others to lead you.
🏔 It's OK to not be OK. Draw strength from those around you.
I'm sure I will continue to find treasures and lessons from my experience and look forward to sharing them.
In the meantime - I encourage you to rise up and meet whatever challenges come your way. Don't stay in your comfort zone and play small. Enlist help, "grab life by the balls" and see what you can do! And have fun - I dare you! 💪🥰
And - if you want to take on Kilimanjaro, get in touch - I'm planning another trip!
Atrévete!
