The Reconveyance
Time to return. This time Amani didn't tell us anything. He was enjoying with us. Today we have to go a long way. After returning back to base camp, Barafu, we will have lunch. Then proceed further down to the next camp at a much lower altitude.
"Uhuru" in Swahili means freedom. In 1889, the highest summit on the crater ridge of Kibo was conquered by Kaiser-Wilhelm-Spitze. Since that time the summit was named Kaiser Wilhelm peak. That name was used until Tanzania was formed in 1964, when the summit was renamed Uhuru Peak, meaning freedom.
After spending nearly 15 to 20 min at Uhuru peak we started our return journey. Though we reached the summit, somehow, we were exactly not the happiest. Five of us came together for the summit and only two of us could do.
Thinking, what happened to the other guys. Did they safely return to the base camp? Are they all well? How to face them at the base camp? We shouldn't be very excited in front of them. Calculating all these ifs and buts, suddenly I saw Jayanth coming with Peneni. I was overwhelmed to see Jayanth. Even before asking about Reetesh and Timsi, I saw them just after Jayanth. Mereki was following and guarded them from behind. It was the happiest moment of my life. Now we could enjoy to the utmost. Now there will be a gala celebration after we return.
There was no energy left. In normal times, it's an etiquette to the peak back with them and return back together. But it was a dying dying situation. Though we were very enlightened after our success we were extremely tired. Literally no sleep for last 28hrs. Only walking and scrambling at this altitude above 15000ft.
As it seems, it is not so easy to go down. While we climbed in the dark, it was through rocks and pebbles. We could not see more than the feet of the person in front of us. Amani says it's too dangerous to return back by the same path. Let's take a shorter route down directly straight through the pebbles.
We could see our tents.
Coming down, through the loose pebbles, is very helpful if you have energy. It is extremely dusty. You run down the pebble. Only thing required is braking. You brake at every step. Otherwise you will slip and fall. If you brake too much then you will fall with nose down. You need a lot of energy for this braking. I fell twice. Seeing me fall, Maulshree reduced her speed.
I forgot to tell. Two porters accompanied us to the summit. They carried hot ginger tea to the summit. One porter was with us and another with the other team.
Seeing Maulshree's slow speed, Amani got hold her hand and started running down the slope of pebbles. Straight down. The porter hold my hand and I also started running down. Cloud of dust was behind us. After holding my hand, I relieved all my braking instincts. I just ran. Ran down and down. It was a never-ending slope.
While coming down I was just planning and scheduling what all to do ones I reach the tent. Eat first or go to sleep first or whether I should go to the toilet. All good things. Will have to drink a lot of water. But the tents remain the same distance away. It's never coming near.
With all those layers of cloths, now it was feeling extremely hot. No way. Where to remove and carry.
At last, with nil energy, we reached the tent around 10 am. Entered the tent, with legs out, lied down. No energy to move. Not even to remove any clothes. Eyes closed. Opening eyes also need energy. Don't know whether I am thirsty or hungry.
Robert came and gave me some juice. It was the drink of the Gods that bestowed immortality. Regained a lot of energy. Energy enough to remove my shoes and the layers of cloths. Laid down like a dead man.
Could hear Reetesh and Timsi come back. But couldn't congratulate them back. Jayanth came last. Everyone was happy. It was a joyous moment.
Later in the evening we had lunch. Again we have to move down. Initial plan is to move down to Meweka camp some 6km down. But seeing our distressed condition, Amani decided to camp at Millenium camp some 3kms down. It was a good decision.
Millenium camp is less crowded and picturesque landscape. That night we had our dinner in day light.
Thank you for the early dinner. We truly deserve it.
