Tanzania · Africa

Mt. Kilimanjaro

Summit · 5,895 m · Uhuru Peak · 2022

"I felt like a giant and a spec of dust at the same time."

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The Call of the Mountain

A promise made at LinkedIn, kept on the roof of Africa

In 2014 or 2015, during my time at LinkedIn, I had a serendipitous encounter with a dear colleague who shared a remarkable story — one that would ignite a spark within me. He spoke of an extraordinary journey to the iconic roof of Africa, Mount Kilimanjaro. He described a landscape that transformed from lush rainforests to a barren, Mars-like terrain near the summit. The temperature gradient was equally astonishing, ranging from a scorching 110 degrees at the beginning to a chilling minus 30 degrees at the peak.

The decision was made. The call of the mountain had been answered. In early 2022, I saw a post on Facebook — an invitation to join a 26-mile training hike in preparation for summiting Kilimanjaro. The wait to stand atop the roof of Africa was agonizing yet thrilling.

The Route

7 Days on the Machame Route

Arrival · Moshi

Sea Level

After a 22-hour flight, descending into Moshi — catching a first glimpse of the summit from high above. Exploring the waterfall, local village, coffee cultivation.

Machame Gate → Camp

3,026 m

Through dense rainforest. 11 km, 5–7 hours. Meeting General Jummah — the guide who would lead us to the summit.

Shira Camp

3,766 m

Leaving the jungle behind. Giant heather and moorland. Meeting the full porter team — cook, waiter, assistants. A hike to Shira Caves.

Barranco Camp

3,983 m

Past the western glaciers. Up to the Lava Tower at 4,600m then down into Barranco Valley. Only birds and volcanic rocks for company.

Barafu High Camp

4,645 m

The steep Barranco Wall — scrambling but not technical. Down through Karanga Valley. The last campsite before the summit bid at 11 pm.

Uhuru Peak

5,895 m

Midnight start. Six hours in darkness. Snow-packed peak shimmering under a half moon. Sunrise at the rim. Then — the summit.

The Summit

Uhuru Peak — Roof of Africa

Just as the sun's first rays began to paint the sky, we reached the summit rim. From here, it was a relatively level hike along the rim to Uhuru Peak — the ultimate summit of Kilimanjaro. The distance was only one kilometer but it felt like ten. The lack of oxygen was getting to me. Every step felt like I was carrying a load ten times heavier. With the speed of a crawler, we made it.

The elation and sense of accomplishment that washed over us were beyond words. I looked around me with disbelief. I felt small and humbled. At the same time I felt I could achieve anything. I felt like a giant and a spec of dust at the same time. It reminded me of a poetry that says: "I wonder if I am a drop in an ocean, or an ocean in a drop."