Making Kili history
a very proud father / 28.07.2006
Jordan started out strong, surprising the guide and the group\'s porters who filled the first day with \"Pole\' Pole\' Jordan\" (which means \"Slowly Slowly Jordan\" in Swahili). Jordan didn\'t much heed their advice and instead continued at an incredible pace getting stronger and stronger as the team reached elevations over 19,000 feet.
Soon the entire mountain was filled with whispers of the small boy who was making a summit attempt. Every group and guide we passed asked about the little boy walking with Samuel. Jordan proudly greet \'Jumbo\' to every group that offered words of good luck and inquired as to how\'s he doing?\"
The first night we camped at Umbwe Cave after a steep five hour hike to start out the trip. The muddy trail through the beautiful rain forest was slippery, rocky and steep. Jordan began to get into a nice hiking rhythm, but was happy to reach the first camp for a good night\'s sleep.
Day 2 sent us trekking to Camp 2 where most groups stop for their second night, but with Jordan\'s strong hiking and quick pace Samuel suggested we bypass and continue to Camp 3 and Jordan happily agreed that the group should continue. \"I\'m not even tired yet, let\'s keep going,\" he said.
At Camp 3, we had a fantastic view of Kibo Dome the top of Kilimanjaro. To the wonderment of everyone at the camp, Jordan found the energy during down time to fly a kite in the strong winds of Kilimanjaro as the fog blew in and out giving us an occasional glimpse of the incredible glaciers atop Kili. Another good night\'s sleep, some special tea and we were ready for a summit attempt.
Jordan awoke with a sparkle in his eye, \"it\'s a special day Daddy, we\'re going to the summit\" were the first words he had to share. At 8:00 a.m. after a breakfast of African porridge, omelets, hot chocolate and toast we headed out. Jordan started a little slow, the nerves were apparent. His deep respect for rapid onset of altitude illness was apparent. Visibility dimished, snow flurries came upon the team, temperatures dropped and breathing becomes difficult. While many of the team become weakened with every assorted symptom of altitude sickness, Jordan defied everyone\'s expectations and conquered the roof of Africa with relative ease. By anyone\'s standard\'s, this was a rapid and strong ascent of the 4th highest of the world\'s 7 Summits.
A giant 10,000 foot decent followed, and only after this 16 hour summit day was Jordan showing any signs of fatigue as he led the group to a remote low camp for a last nights rest, before the trek to the 4,000 foot trail head.
Jordan and the rest of the team are finishing up the trip to Africa with a wild Safari trip and will return to Big Bear for a celebration. Please check out www.jordanromero.com for further stories and photos.
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