Summit Night - Part 3

The next two hours seemed to take forever as John John and I found different ways to pursuade Lorraine to keep going. Eventually and finally as the sun began to emerge gloriously behind us, the summit at Stella Point came into view. We were no morre than 200m from the top, but it might aswell have been 200 miles. I don't quite know how Lorraine managed to haul her body up those final few meters. It had taken her immense courage and determination just to get on this trip, and to reach base camp with the group was in itself an awesome acheivement. And yet here was a moment to possibly rival all these as she found the strength to haul her exhausted body up those final few meters to her crowning glory!

John John and I hugged each other and the three of us embraced at the top in one final congratulatory moment. After a few moments contemplation, John John invited me to go on, and with a final check on Lorraine, I stepped off on the final leg of my climb.

At first I moved brriskly, anxious to see who was ahead. By now the sun was fully up and i began to take account and remind myself of the beauty of this place. As I paused to catch my breath, I stared accross to the spectacular glacier covered in fresh snow, and turning, reflected on the crater below, its lunar landscape as spectacular as I remember it 12 months on.

Uhuru Peak I judged to be no more than 40 minutes away so I set off again hoping to catch some of the others who I assumed had by now reached the summit.

One of the first to pass me on their way back was Jules, who not 24hrs earlier had her ankle tightly bound after falling on the Baranco Wall. That was never likely to put off such a strong character as she, and so it had proved.

Then amidst so many special moments came one that I will particularly cherish. 12 months ago I watched as Charlie W had to give up about half way into his summit attempt, barely able to walk and struggling to see. Now, he strode towards me, elated but also in tears, informing me as we embraced that he'd seen just about everyone at the top. His joy was further elevated when i told him the news about Lorraine.

We deparrted reflecting on the group's acheivement, heading our seperate ways, but united in our joy and satisfaction.

As Uhuru moved ever more closer, I noticed two familiar figures ahead, one appearing to be struggling quite badly. After 15 minutes or so I finally caught up with Lajia and Charlie K, who was feeling the full extent of her efforts. I chattted with lajia as the summit finally came into view. I think it was Charlie who remarked on the symmetry of the three of us getting to the summit at the same time. I hadn't realised the added pressure I had brought on Charlie (who's husband Peter, so bravely made base camp last year), with the charitable bet I had had with Nigel (another from last years group), on which of us would reach the top first. This way all positions were satisfied as the three of us reached the summit at the same time. The time was apprroximately 7.45am, I had been climbing for nearly 10 hours, exhausted, but once again at the summit queueing with twenty or so others for our "Kodak moment" infront of the famous wooden sign.

We observed as first Peter, Pene, Steve, Rachael and Wendy had their moment individually and collectively with the CYM banner. Eventually the three of us remaining had our momentt as Tunzo organised our photo opportunity.
With some satisfaction, elation and pssibly a tinge of anti-climax that befits standing in front of the simple sign at Uhuru Peak, we posed for photo shots before moving off.

As the girls headed down i had a couple more shots I needed to get, so told Lajia and Charlie I would catch them up. In the end I didn't see them again until we were back at camp.

As I headed down from Uhuru to Stella, one final member of our group was making her way slowly up towards the peak. Keeping track of all the group's progress on summit night is almost impossible, but seeing sarah, striding purpousfully with Eddie (her porter) towards Uhuru, coughing relentlessly, but determined to have her moment, I rrealised that all of the grroup who had started out that night had reached the top. For Sarah, it was clearly a special acheivement and one she can be rightly proud of.

On getting back to Stella Point, I confirmed with Tunzo, that Sarah was the only one left on the summit ridge and resolved to wait for her there before heading back down myself. In truth I needed some time just to rest, knowing how gruelling the return leg would be. I didn't plan to fall asleep, but never the less I did!

I don't know how much time had passed but I stirred to find I was alone. I knew I couldn't have missed Sarah, but all the same thought i should check. A further 10 minutes or so passed before Tunzo, Eddie and Sarah merged into view and I finally prepared myself for the journey back to base camp.