CGA sophomore calls climbing Mount Kilimanjaro “best experience of my life”

She also could feel the altitude taking its toll on her body. That night, they stayed at Horombo Camp, at 12,205 feet, above the clouds.

The third day they walked nearly 6 miles with an elevation gain of 3,185 feet to Kibo Camp, the base camp before the final ascent. At 15,814 feet, they arrived just before sunset, with four hours to rest before beginning the summit push at midnight.

Lovin said their guide, Mango, explained that people who start the final hike in darkness did better than those who did in daylight because people can’t see how far they have to go. She said that was true for her.

“Because it was dark, you just kept taking one step after another, one step after another,” she said.  “We were very tired. I think the one thing that kept me going was the views. We started when it was pitch-black outside, but there were so many stars. I don’t think I’ve ever seen so many stars in my life. From there it’s a mental game because you are running on so little sleep.”

She said even though the final stretch was the shortest distance, it was the hardest.

“It felt so much longer because of the altitude and we were going much slower,” she said.

She said the fatigue from the previous days, the aching legs, the biting cold and the lack of sleep made the climb more difficult. She saw others bending down along the trail suffering from altitude sickness.

The sun rose above the horizon just as they reached a ridge.

“The mountain exploded into shards of golden light reflecting off the pristine snow. It was the most breathtaking sight I had ever seen, and the most rewarding, after those long, painful hours of climbing,” Lovin said.

She said she kept going even though she was feeling symptoms of altitude sickness -- she felt pressure in her head, like there was a ringing without the sound, and her stomach also hurt.

They reached Gilman’s Point at 18,638 feet. From there, it took another two hours to reach the final destination – Uhuru Peak – at 19,340 feet.

“We spent a few precious minutes there, trying to soak in the view, the crisp air, the accomplishment. We hugged each other, filled with pride and relief, and then began the long descent – two more days to return to the mountain’s base,” she said.

She said the trip, especially spending five days at Teddy Daycare, helped her realize how fortunate she is. She said a group of children with no possessions and incomplete families taught her what happiness is.

“I feel like here, we take so many things for granted without realizing it. Ever since I’ve come back I realize how many opportunities I have been given. If I grew up in Tanzania, I wouldn’t have any of the things I have now,” she said.

She also said a mountain that can’t move taught her what freedom is.

“We find answers where we least expect them,” she said. “We just need to listen.”