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Kate Evans: Photos

Tanzania 2007--Mount Meru climb

Day 1: Superhuman Meru porters preparing to haul giant packs... I stand in awe of these guys.
Day 1: Superhuman Meru porters preparing to haul giant packs... I stand in awe of these guys.
A momentous moment for posterity at the base of the mountain.
A momentous moment for posterity at the base of the mountain.
Kate and Scott under the famous fig tree arch. It was the 1st day and we had no idea yet what was in store...
Kate and Scott under the famous fig tree arch. It was the 1st day and we had no idea yet what was in store...
Once you get above the cloud line, you really start to feel like you're getting somewhere...
Once you get above the cloud line, you really start to feel like you're getting somewhere...
...Approaching our first resting place on day one--Miriakamba Hut--we reach this supernaturally gorgeous clearing.
...Approaching our first resting place on day one--Miriakamba Hut--we reach this supernaturally gorgeous clearing.
...this tree looked so otherworldly to me with all the moss hanging from it...
...this tree looked so otherworldly to me with all the moss hanging from it...
Day 2: One of the rewards of busting your ass to climb a mountain is a view like this--the volcano's ash cone. Meru is a force of nature.
Day 2: One of the rewards of busting your ass to climb a mountain is a view like this--the volcano's ash cone. Meru is a force of nature.
Saddle Hut, the higher-altitude accommodation where we stayed before and after our summit push. It was cold but we were beyond delighted to be there.
Saddle Hut, the higher-altitude accommodation where we stayed before and after our summit push. It was cold but we were beyond delighted to be there.
Looking down on Saddle Hut from Little Meru, which we climbed to acclimatize to the altitude the afternoon of day 2.
Looking down on Saddle Hut from Little Meru, which we climbed to acclimatize to the altitude the afternoon of day 2.
Kate with guide Matthew on Little Meru--I wouldn't have made it up without this man.
Kate with guide Matthew on Little Meru--I wouldn't have made it up without this man.
Day 3: Our first landmark on summit day, Rhino Point. It was about 3 am at this point, and being half-asleep I forgot to turn off my headlamp for the photo. At least it makes it look like aliens are coming out of my head, which is kind of how I felt!
Day 3: Our first landmark on summit day, Rhino Point. It was about 3 am at this point, and being half-asleep I forgot to turn off my headlamp for the photo. At least it makes it look like aliens are coming out of my head, which is kind of how I felt!
Summit day: sunrise over Mt. Kilimanjaro. If I hadn't been dying at this point, I might've had a religious experience.
Summit day: sunrise over Mt. Kilimanjaro. If I hadn't been dying at this point, I might've had a religious experience.
Scott, Mojenga, and Matthew at the summit, wooooo hooooooo!
Scott, Mojenga, and Matthew at the summit, wooooo hooooooo!
Privileged, pleased, and amazed to be at the peak--14,978 feet. Shortly after this was taken, I fell asleep until they made me get moving again, under great duress.
Privileged, pleased, and amazed to be at the peak--14,978 feet. Shortly after this was taken, I fell asleep until they made me get moving again, under great duress.
Another view of Kili, from the Meru summit.
Another view of Kili, from the Meru summit.
View from the summit. When I wrote "Long Way Down," this was the sort of thing I had in mind. A bit like heaven, really.
View from the summit. When I wrote "Long Way Down," this was the sort of thing I had in mind. A bit like heaven, really.
Another beautiful view from the summit.
Another beautiful view from the summit.
...and the harsh realization sets in that we have to go back *down* this thing...
...and the harsh realization sets in that we have to go back *down* this thing...
...which at times can almost seem as daunting as going up.
...which at times can almost seem as daunting as going up.
Walking the beautiful and somewhat precarious ridge on our descent.
Walking the beautiful and somewhat precarious ridge on our descent.
Matthew and Mojenga taking a rest on the summit descent.
Matthew and Mojenga taking a rest on the summit descent.
Day 4: Kate and Matthew, looking pleased to be heading down and getting warm again.
Day 4: Kate and Matthew, looking pleased to be heading down and getting warm again.
A pause to take it all in before it's over.
A pause to take it all in before it's over.