Sabrina Swenson returns to Africa as she begins her climbing expedition on Mt. Kilimanjaro

Editor’s Note: Sabrina Swenson, a 1986 graduate of Postville High School and a world traveler, shares her trek to Mt. Kilimanjaro with our readers. This is the first of a three part series.

It’s been on my list for ages; climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro. However, in 2009 I did a thirteen day trek to Mt. Everest base camp in Nepal. It was the toughest thing I had ever physically done. Altitude sickness added to the misery. After making base camp, upon my return, I hung up my hiking boots. Climbing Kilimanjaro was pushed to the bottom of my list and all but forgotten for a decade. After looking through some old papers and finding a to-do list from years earlier, I came across it once more. Climbing the highest mountain in Africa, Kilimanjaro was beckoning. I packed my bags and hopped a plane for East Africa, before I could change my mind.

Mt. Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, East Africa, is the highest mountain on the continent. It’s a large stratovolcano with three volcanic cones. Mawenzi and Shira are extinct, while Kibo, the tallest cone, is dormant and could erupt again. Uhuru Peak is the highest summit on Kibo’s crater rim and is the destination for those wishing to summit. Interestingly, Uhuru in Swahili means freedom. The most recent activity on Kilimanjaro was 200 years ago. The last major eruption was estimated at 360,000 years ago. I figured chances were good I didn’t have to worry about volcanic activity. The mountain has five major ecological zones. On the lowest level is cultivated bushland, followed by rainforest, heath and moorland, alpine desert and arctic summit. The mountain is known for its snow-capped peak, however, sadly, scientist warn that the snow may disappear within the next 20 years. 

We headed for the base of the mountain. Upon arrival, we had to wait for a permit. In typical African fashion, it was a slow-moving process. When we finally received the ok, an hour and a half later, we were off on day one of the climb. I was very impressed to see the porters were logged as they started the trek, each indicating how many people were in their group. This was done as a conservation effort. Once finished with the trek, the porters had to produce a bag with the garbage accumulated from their group. If the garbage amount didn’t match the group size, meaning rubbish was left on the mountain, they would be fined. As such, I found Kilimanjaro to be pristine and void of any trash. The only exception were two empty water bottles near camp on the last day. That was it, nothing else, not one wrapper. Very impressive.

Read more in the April 29 edition of the Postville Herald and look for part two and three in upcoming publications of the Herald.