I woke up to this view today
I was prepared to wake up feeling like I was trampled on by a large pack of African elephants and mauled by wild dogs this morning. Instead I woke up feeling great. My body even felt strong throughout today’s climb…and today’s climb was a BEAST. Not just any beast…..a wild ferocious beast. Imagine climbing 6 + hours straight up a steep mountain….over huge boulders….in the pouring rain. When I say steep I mean I felt like we were making a B-line straight to heaven.
Feeling refreshed
The one thing that was drastically different was my breathing. I just kept my grandpa at the forefront of my mind who has to deal with this sort of thing every day. Not once did I complain. I just shook it off, took some deep breaths, and kept on going.
My useless guide continued to hold long conversations with any and everyone around me. It would’ve been nice if he had given me a little encouragement at times. Maybe a “you can do it” or “way to go kiddo” or even a “get your ass up that mountain girl!”. Luckily I’m pretty damn good at encouraging myself and being my own cheering section. I absolutely didn’t need him to be flapping and yapping at the mouth while I’m trying to concentrate on making it up this mountain without dying but I would’ve liked it if he was a bit more attentive. So if I had slipped on a rock and fallen off of one of those steep cliffs he’d be able to help the rangers locate my body. Instead this fool was a good 20 feet ahead of me most times with his cellphone glued to his ear or hand. First of all…who in the hell gets cellphone service on the tallest mountain in Africa? Seriously? This dude was so engaged with his smartphone that at one point I left him in the pouring rain sitting on a rock typing away while I walked ahead. It took him about 15 minutes to realize I wasn’t still sitting next to him.
God knows I hate to complain…but since I’ve already started let me get the rest out of my system. I really wanted to love this company since the owner and his wife were so on point when it came to handling business. The poor condition of my sleeping tent, dining tent, and the nincompoop for a guide had me singing a whole ‘nother tune. Anyway, all I need this dude for is to get me to the top. Since it is quite dangerous it helps when you have a guide with you that you can actually trust. I don’t know what this dude’s issue is but if my hands weren’t frozen stiff I would’ve really liked to exercise my rights upside his head 
.
Anyway….the scenery during the climb so far has left me speechless. It’s been raining cats and dogs and freezing cold so taking my camera out for photo ops hasn’t been a priority for me. But…I don’t think a lack of photos could ever make me forget this moment.
The view inside my tomb…I mean tent
Day 2 down….4 more to go!