Update and Being Back Home

Sorry that we weren't able to update you all for quite some time!  I lost my phone during a bit of a scare we had and that kept us from updating everyone.  so, here is a brief one:

Two groups left on Saturday night to summit: Lori, Pilar and Amber left at 11pm. Tanya, Steph H., Steph W, Michelle, Shelly, Betsy, Rachel, and Colleen left at midnight.  The goal was for us all to meet at the summit. 

What happened to the others, you ask?  Donna had decided to quit the climb after the first day of climbing, so she was hanging out in Moshi.  Maureen twisted her ankle on day three, so she was sent down the mountain to rest, as well.  Claudine had difficulty with altitude sickness and was turned back on day four and was not allowed to continue to the summit.  So, the rest of the group was divided and our goal was to meet at the top for photos and to celebrate.

The going was really difficult, as it was cold and dark but we really wanted to reach the summit, so we plowed on and on, placing one step in front of the other, focused on the tast ahead while also trying to combat nausea along the way.  Not everyone felt sick, but some of us did feel the effects of the altitude.  In fact, Steph W. (the Mountain Goat) had to turn around back once she reached Stella Point because she didn't have enough oxygen in her system.  Tanya and Shelly threw up along the way up but managed to get back in line to continue the climb.  Finally, after a looooong hike, Lori, Pilar and Steph W. made it to Stella Point.  Steph. H, Tanya, Shelly, Betsy, Rachel, Colleen, and Michelle summited at Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa.

On our way down the mountain, we had to come down on scree, which is NASTY on the knees. We used our poles a lot and tried our best not to fall.  Sadly, Betsy did fall and managed to knock her shoulder out of its socket.  Michelle and Tanya spent a long 2 hours waiting with Betsy on the trail for help to come.  They tried unsuccessfully to put her shoulder back in the socket, which was incredibly painful for Betsy.  At last, a trauma surgeon came by and he also tried to relocate the shoulder, to no avail.  To make a long story short, Betsy was moved down the mountain by a bunch of porters who transported her on a guerney by foot all the way to the bottom.  Her shoulder was fixed at a hospital in Moshi and we all reunited on Monday afternoon. 

The rest of the team arrived at Mbahe Farm in time to shower and pack before eating a celebratory meal with the porters and guides who made our trip possible.  We had a blast together!  Our team had the opportunity to thank the porters and guides for an amazing experience and we took full advantage of it.  We ate together and shared songs and laughter.  Together, we celebrated into the night.

Yesterday, we all left Tanzania in order ot come back home.  We made it safely and now, sitting in the living room writing this, I am grateful to each of the amazing women who joined me on this adventure.  I am proud to call them friends and look forward to other adventures with them in the future as we help children affected by AIDS.