Swenson continues her quest to reach the summit of Mount 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 third of a three part series.

Quest for the summit started when my porter woke me around 11pm, bringing me something to eat and some ginger tea. There were many trekkers at camp and I’m sure I wasn’t the only one to toss and turn before being woke. At midnight, I was ready to start. Leaving the tent the porter gave me a water bottle full of hot water so I could stuff it down the front of my jacket. It was absolutely freezing. In the cold, thin air I could see about 50 headlamps shining upward, all in the hopes of making the summit which lies at 19,341 feet. I planned to walk slowly and deliberately, stopping when I felt the need. I asked how long it should take to reach the summit. My guide stated people took anywhere from seven to twelve hours generally, that was, if they made it at all. My goal was to make the lip of the crater, known as Stella Point, by sunrise. After that, Uhuru Peak, the highest point and my destination, was another approximate hour. 

My guide, with oxygen bottle in tow, was ready and proclaimed the cook was coming with us. I wondered why anyone would willingly climb to such an altitude in the middle of the night if he had already done so several times? I realized later, if I developed altitude sickness, or became too weak to continue, it would take two to carry me back down to camp. There the rescue helicopter could land safely and take me to a lower altitude. I saw helicopter landing pads at each camp. They were simply an area cleared of debris, then rocks were placed in a circle so the helicopter could find where to land. When I asked why the helicopter doesn’t just hover and drop a basket if they need to pick up someone, they stated the air is simply too thin and hovering would not be an option. And so, the person needs to be carried back to a camp and the landing area.

Read the full article in the May 13 edition of the Postville Herald.