Rebecca Wade

Day 6 – Part 2 | The Descent & The Decision

Coming down the mountain was its own challenge.

The descent back to Kosovo Camp was fast, steep, and demanding on legs that had already done a lot. By the time I got back, I went straight into my tent and fell asleep almost instantly. That kind of deep, full-body exhaustion that comes after pushing yourself.

When I woke up, a few of us gathered in the mess tent. We sat, talked, and reflected on what we had just done. Everyone processing it in their own way.

Then the weather changed.

Clear skies turned quickly into wind, rain, and hail. We knew the teams still coming down were facing much tougher conditions, and it shifted the energy of the day.

Our original plan was to continue down the mountain, but we took a moment to reassess as a group.

All twelve of us had made it to the summit. That mattered.

So we made the decision to come off the mountain that day.

It wasn’t about cutting anything short. It was about making a smart call based on how we were feeling and what the conditions were giving us.

Looking back at the mountain as we left, it felt surreal.
Exhausted, soaked, and proud of what we had just done.

Fifteen started. Twelve summited. Twelve came down.

No regrets.

Day 4 – Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp

Day 4 started with one of the most incredible views of the entire climb.

Clear skies, no clouds, and a full view of the summit ahead. It felt both exciting and very real at the same time.

And then came the Barranco Wall.

This isn’t a hike - it’s a climb. You’re using your hands and feet, following your guides closely, and staying completely focused on every movement. There are no ropes or railings - just trust in the process and the people around you.

It took us a couple of hours to make our way up, and reaching the top was one of the most satisfying moments of the trip so far.

What stood out most was watching everyone in the group push through something completely new. No one had done anything like that before, and every single person showed up for it.

From there, we continued through the Alpine Desert - a much harsher, more exposed environment that really reminds you how high you are.

By the time we reached Karanga Camp, we were tired but feeling strong. The group energy was high, and there was a real sense of momentum building.

Still twelve. Still moving forward.

I did it. I climbed Mount Kilimanjaro ⛰️

And honestly… it wasn’t quite like anything I had imagined.

Rainy season hit early.
The mountain had more rain than it has in decades.
There were literal rivers & waterfalls where there’s normally dry land.

Then came snow, ice, hail… even a thunder-and-lightning snowstorm on summit night.

By the time I reached the top, it was foggy. I could barely see the sign.

Not quite the sunrise view I had hoped for.
But still one of the most powerful moments of my life.

Because this climb was never just about the view.

It was about resilience.
It was about adapting when things don’t go to plan.
It was about trusting your preparation and taking it step by step… “pole pole.”

I’ve been home a couple of weeks now and I’m still processing everything this experience gave me.

I’ll be sharing more soon — the volunteer work in Tanzania, the climb day by day, all of it.

But for now… just this:

You can do hard things.
Even when it’s messy.
Even when it doesn’t look how you expected.