Day 7 - Release the pressure

After making such a difficult decision not to make the final ascent all you want to do is decent to lower altitude to release the pressure causing your headache. Quite frankly you dream of the luxury of your hotel and a shower. The reality is another thirty six hours of dirt and grim plus the small matter of another twenty nine kilometers of walking. At least this time it would be downhill.

We descended on the more popular "Coca-cola" route. This path is a lot more established than the Rongai route affording the occasional panic area and signposts which quite frankly spoil this wilderness feeling of the mountain. Its one redeeming feature the most spectacular view across the Kenyan plains and mountain range. The views must be 60-80 miles and for much of it when there were clouds you would be looking down on top of them. A rare and very special treat.

Of this long descent shrouded personally in the sense of anticlimax at failure to achieve my goal there was one magical moment that only mother earth my provide. A star lit African sky. This same spectacular panorama covered by a million stars shining so brightly that you felt that you could reach out to touch them. What in particular fascinated me was the seemly layer upon layer of galaxies which lay beyond what we in our western light polluted skies.

Once we finally and slightly wearily reached the lower slopes of Kili we returned to the rain forest. This was more extensive than we had previously experienced. The rain forest was lush and enveloping as you may expect, it gave us the opportunity to watch Columbus and blue monkeys feed and their young innocently play. A fantastic conclusion to an incredible and emotional adventure.

One final word to my fellow adventurers. Three months ago we were strangers, brought together to raise funds for the Climb Your Mountain charity. We have shared the most incredible journey to raise funds and complete this toughest of challenges. New friendships have been established, there has not been one cross word said during this highly emotional and tiring journey. An honor to your personal strength, patience and integrity. Every single one of the team showed enormous strength and determination to battle the elements and sickness. To Jane, Nigel, Simon and Mark congratulations in achieving the summit and conquering your personal dream.