Kilimanjaro Uhuru Summit Part 8: Final The wind picked up, and the temperatures dropped between -9°C and -15°C. Pushing on from Stella Point to Uhuru peak, we continued to move our fingers, trying to fend off the pins and needles, numbness and pain, and rub our noses. It was still dark, and thoughts of Paul, Erin, Ross, Mom Linda, Dad Pieter, Retha-Mari, our guides, and porters, all of whom have sacrificed much for me to be at this point. It provided the motivation for the final 800 to 1000 meters final push. And indeed, the words of Paulo Coelho were so apt, "The darkest hour of the night comes just before the dawn." The signs of the sun peaking on the horizon started showing, and the overwhelming hope it brought difficult to put into words, but I'll try. Heat, life, hope, grace, mercy, and love of the Creator for us, part of the Creation, was palpable. I felt close to the Creator, wanting to experience the holiness, vastness, and magnitude while humbled by the privilege. The sun started to rise on our right, and we walked on an icy singletrack section with the ice on the rocks next to the path sparkling like diamonds. I joked with August that we don't even pick up the diamonds next to us and the always witty and sweet August answered," Yes, I need to start collecting these diamonds." The first group reached Uhuru peak with congratulatory hugs up ahead, still dark to take photos, while we covered the final few hundred meters. We passed large glaciers on our left, and the thickness surprised me. Sadly the glaciers, although appearing big when one stands next to them, have shrunk in size. It was at that point that we could see Uhuru peak and the first group gathering in front of the Kilimanjaro sign. After another final push and after months of preparation and days of walking, we reached the destination. We did it! Successfully summiting the highest peak in Africa. The first group waited for us to take a photo of them. Benni and August took theirs, and their guides took our photos, an unwritten courtesy. Now it is your turn. Start your preparation, contact G2G Adventures, and go for it! #uhuru #uhurupeak #tanzania #tanzania🇹🇿 #adventure #hiking (at Kilimanjaro, Tanzania) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cm13Iposnf6/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=