Michael and Terry toasted the mountain with their last beer (until their return) ... suitably the beer’s name was "Kilimanjaro".

Terry and Michael would meet the rest of the crew at the park gate. Joining Terry and Michael on their climb would be a seven person support team ... Felix, their guide, an assistant guide (needed, should Terry or Michael have to come down while the other continued), a cook and four porters (one which would also serve as a waiter).

This was Day 1 of the climb and as Michael had done each morning on the West Coast Trail, he took a picture of the two of them ... father and son.

Final equipment check. Felix insisted that Terry and Michael rent heavy duty duffel bags for their backpacks which will be carried by the porters on their heads.

It was a fine, dry morning, with some scattered cloud, when they climbed into the Springland’s van which would take them some 45km from Moshi to Park Headquarters at Marangu Gate on the eastern side of Kilimanjaro - the start point for the climb.  Sherrie would wait in Moshi.

Arrived Mandara Hut, elevation 2720m, at approximately 15:30 under partially overcast skies.

Although the A-frame sleeps four, Michael and Terry will have it to themselves tonight.

On the way back, we see numerous Colubus monkeys. They are beautiful black monkeys with long white hair around the face, white from the shoulders back and bushy white tails.

The roughly 13km climb to Horombo Huts should take 6-7 hours.

It’s a bright, clear, warm, morning as the rainforest is slowly giving way to heathland shrubs. We were feeling fantastic but the effects of the thinning air were beginning to be felt and Felix was insistent that a slow pace was adhered to. "Pole, pole" which is Swahili for "slowly, slowly" is heard often on the mountain.

The intimidating peaks of Kilimanjaro and Mawenzi are visible ahead and the challenge they pose begins to hit home.

Appetites can’t match the size of lunch and what is left, like yesterday, is distributed to others.

The shrubs are getting smaller and open grasslands are beginning to dominate. Although the sunshine is intense, air temperature is cool.

Dinner is picked at, rather than eaten, we talked over Felix’s suggestion and advised him we wish to stay with our original plan.

A rather restless night’s sleep.

June 4 - Day 3 on the mountain.

Horombo Huts (3720m/12,205ft).  Acclimatization day.

Spent early morning relaxing and visiting with other climbers both on their way up and way down. The challenge of our adventure becomes increasingly apparent as we chat - not everyone makes it to the summit.

Prior to Terry, Michael and Jacabo climbing up past Zebra Rocks to the Mawezi Hut junction, we got together for a 'team' photo.

It’s a bright, clear, cool morning and the views of Mawenzi Peak are stunning.

Zebra Rocks is an exposed cliff face with zebra-like stripes caused by water trickling down the rock face leaving light deposits on the dark lava.

Alpine desert conditions are the order of the day as we broach the lip of The Saddle - a long, sweeping depression that connect Mawenzi and Kilimangaro peaks.  

Sleep alludes us and when rousted out around 23:00 we are depleted.

Decline food.

Getting dressed (layer upon layer) is a real chore and seems to take forever.

Focus for Michael and Terry is the lower leg and the feet of the climber in front - the area illuminated by the headlamp. Terry concentrates on a mantra to keep his mind positive ... "One less step, one less step" each time stepping into the spot just vacated by Michael’s foot.

We zig-zag up a steep field of shale and sand step by step for two to three hours. The loose footing is tiring. Felix only allows brief stops before urging us forward. Terry’s hands are very cold - wrong gloves. Around 03:00 we reach Hans Meyer Cave and find it occupied by the Slovakian couple and their guides ... we don’t see them again ... assume they turned back.

A point of light appears above us on the mountain ... it is coming down towards us.

Scree gives way to huge boulders and more solid footing, although the incline has noticeably steepened.

The single light is still moving down.

"Pole, pole."

The light moves even closer. Who could it be and why would they be coming down at this hour?

It nears. It is one of the two guides with the Dutch climbers.

If a guide has to turn back ...? Thoughts mess with our minds. Back to our mantras.

"One less step ... one less step ... one less ...." 

"Step into the circle [of light] ... step into the circle ... step ..."

Step by step. 

"Pole, pole."

Rest.

Michael, Terry, Felix, Jacabo ... and Ted (Terry had been carrying him in the day bag on his back) pose for pictures.

The only other people at the summit during the 30 minutes we spend there, are a young school teacher from Vernon, British Columbia and his guide.

Descending through the loose scree takes its toll on Michael’s knees and they are noticeable swollen when we reach Kibo Hut.

Short rest.  Light brunch offered.  Repack backpacks.

Reach Horombo Huts nearing 18:00 ... roughly 18 hours after setting out from Kibo Hut for the summit.

Haven’t slept or eaten for almost 2 days and we look ... and feel ... like we haven’t slept or eaten for 2 days. (Note: Michael lost 14 pounds in the first 5 days on the mountain.)

Kilimanjaro and Mawenzi slowly recede from view as we descend from the moorland down into the forest above Mandara Hut.

Exit the park at Marangu Gate in early afternoon. Our van is waiting to return us to Springlands Hotel and Sherrie.

"The physically hardest thing I have done in my life ... bar none." - Michael.

"Without question." - Terry.

Now we get to put check marks beside "Climb Kilimanjaro" on our "Life’s Things To-Do" lists.