We have done it!!!
At 13h45 today the Old Mutual Barefoot Kilimanjaro Team summited and stood barefoot on the top of Africa. After setting off this morning in sub-zero temperatures, the team realised that today would challenge each and everyone of us. It would be a day that would make any previous day look very ordinary. The gradient and loose volcanic scree continued relentlessly for 4 and a half hours from Kibo Huts (4700m) to Gilman’s point (5681).
On the way up we had a couple disheartening encounters with climbers that had failed to summit and were visibly delirious and vomiting. This was an eye opener as we had not for one second factored in that one our our team members would suffer the same fate. On the flip side we a few very positive interactions with summiteers who were gob-smacked at the sight of the barefoot team – as they were well aware of the task at hand.
Coming over the crater rim at Gilman’s we were totally blown away with the awe inspiring sight of the vast snow covered crater with the southern ice field glaciers in full view in the distance. The climb and altitude clearly took it’s toll on the appetites of the team as most of the packed lunches remained mostly untouched. After a quick bite for some, we set of toward Stella Point. The pace was most definatley squarely in the “poley-poley” range (Swahili for Slowly Slowly) Even at this pace each step was a challenge and there was a lot of heavy breathing around and not as much banter.
Coming around a bend we faced with a daunting and yet exciting terrain – snow and ice. There had been a two-foot dump of snow a few days prior that we had not seen from base camp. Although there were sections where hikers had trodden a path through the snow, there were other areas where the barefooters had to negotiate their own route over the snow and ice. Arriving at Stella point we were rewarded with even more spectacular views of glaciers on either side of us.
At this point many of the team were digging deep as the air was noticibly thinner and each step took a Herculean effort. Taunting us about two kilometres further along the rim was the sight of Uhuru Peak – our ultimate goal. The weather started coming in and an icy wind seemed to cut through the layers. The mystical feel of the swirling clouds only added to the almost spiritual experience of being on top of Africa. The upside to our unorthodox strategy of attempting a summit at this time meant that we, as a team, had the summit and the mountain to ourselves.
As the iconic Uhuru Peak sign edged closer and closer, the moral of the team lifted and the hardships of the past five days started fading. We reached the peak as one very emotional tribe knowing that we had achieved what we had set out to do. The entire barefoot team had summited – sore – but with no serious injury. We were also a very proud team knowing that the integrity of the trip was rock solid and no corners were ever cut.
We climbed Kilimanjaro, the tallest free standing mountain in the world, from gate to summit – BAREFOOT.
Lou & Toot
What a lovely article – Thank you. Congratulations to an amazing team.
Lou & Toot
—–and then you meet the RAIN-MAKERS
Jess Young
We are celebrating your huge achievement with a bottle of Moet. Sat on MP’s rock singing “I’m sitting on the top of Kilimanjaro”. Love you guys.
Dee king
What an achievement – Andrew, dad and I are off to Larianne’s 60th birthday party now – and who knows maybe your mother might even just have a glass (or 2) of champagne to celebrate the Barefoot Impi’s unbelievable “feat”. Relax and enjoy the rest of your time together. See you soon. We love you chap xxx
Greg Morton
AWESOME! Congratulations to the team, and for the Children’s Hospital Trust for being the beneficiary or your focus, drive, achievement and more. From all the way in California ~ CHEERS! The possibilities of what you can do are endless…
Jan Carroll
CONGRATS, you guys are legends!!!
Amanda Kearney
WELL DONE to you all…
Safely home now..
Joan Tucker
We will never forget your 31 st birthday. What a momentous achievement. Johann, Jeanette, Heather, Nathan, the Parentals (and Duffy and Hubble) are in awe of you! WHAT AN ACHIEVEMENT
Fondest thoughts to you all
Joan
Dad - aka Chris Russell-Rockliff
First heard about reaching the summit via an SMS from Samantha [our precious daughter-in-law] just after I had had a chat to her to see how she was getting on. Dave, I can understand the emotion, because I had to give my cellphone to Mom, because I was unable to read it to her. We were in Woolies at the time, and some people must have thought that we had had a “marraige moment”, but it was just incredible relief to know that you had all made it after so many people said it was impossible. Again, I am SO proud, I felt like shouting it out aloud to all the people at the Clearwater Shopping Mall Food Court, but I think I would have been locked up if I had. Well done to each and every one of you. Like others say above, you are legends…….
Lizzie Urq
Massive congrats to you guys! Awesome news – well done team!! Huge emotion I know. Lots of love from the other end of the world. L xx
Inks
Oh Me Goodness. Piet and I are bursting at the sides with pride. Enjoying a good Chardonnay on our stoep in celebration to your victory today. To the Childrens Hospital Trust and to The Barefoot Impis WELLDONE
Inks
THATS AT THE SEAMS WITH PRIDE
Rob Urquhart
Brilliant work guys…massive effort, huge congrats!
Yolandi
Well done boys!!!!!! I really do admire your courage!!!!!!!
Dougie
Well done impi’s, never doubted you for one second! As has been previously said, get home safely, watch those Tuskers!
Enjoy the feeling! Johnny Clegg must make a lot of sense now.
We’re walking on the top of kilimanjaro, wayho, we can see a new tomorrow…
ouma botha and auntie marian de deugd
Very proud of you, great achievement, well done
Monica Jooste
Wow! You are legends!
Mike and Lynne Norton
Well done Andrew and the team Barefoot all the way!!
joshua Reynolds
Congrats guys, what an achievement.
Maxwells
Well done from all of us in Winterton
Sue Young
All at Bon Accord salute the entire team on their fantastic achievement. You will always be heroes.
Tania Hartman
reading this gave me goose bumps. Well done impis!!!! What an awesome achievement.
Peter Young
Well done TEAM ! The emphasis being on team. Right from the start, choosing a daunting task,choosing the right experts, choosing the right individuals to do the task; everything was perfect. We eagerly wait to hear the details of this epic achievement.Enjoy the rest of your journey and arrive home safely.
Gavin Russell-Rockliff
Nice one! Massive congratulations to all of you at the top of the world from all of us on the other side of the world!
Bunn Hamman
wonderfull achievement!! Great example of committment and team effort. Awsome pics Rich, looking forward to seeing more. Proud of you
Tim, Cands, Davie and Bell
We are so proud to be your family. You inspire us and thousands of others. Our bedtime stories, daytime thoughts and fantasy adventures have been of you and your mountain. We have walked with you every step and cant wait until we can walk with you again. Come home safe.
OneMorePixel
NO missing toes, man I am disappointed…just kidding. Congrats to all. Everest here we come
Balf and Jen
Congratulations to the most amazing team…everyone is so proud of you one an all.
ruth smith
Wow!
Super proud of u clyde (and the whole team)! An amazing achievement! Well done! Can’t wait to hear the stories…
Darron Raw - Swazi Trails
Congrat’s from Swaziland… never doubted you buggers!
clement
WELL DONE TEAM. THAT IS AWE INSPIRING !!!
Dad - aka Chris Russell-Rockliff
How about an update on the descent? Have not heard from you since the summit. It’s just me being a typical parent……
Chester
Well done Gi & the team. an awesome achievement!
See you back in Durb’s for the debrief
Conrad
Congratulations all of you. This one will go down in the history books. Take it easy on the way down and Dave I’m sure you’re looking forward to a huge steak at our next team building
gregg mcdonagh
congrats you bunch of maniacs, never doubted you once.
who won the cricket game?
Something most people on the globe will never be able to comprehend.
Cant wait for the bunny chow debrief
Jacques Coetzer
Well done guys, an awesome acheivement!
hannah
so proud of you all! love you SC x
Donnee
Massive CONGRATS!!! You guys are too AMA-ZING! Hope the decent treats you kindly and your smiles do t cramp your cheeks too much!
check you back in the homeland.
Dwayne Marx
Hi Barefoot team . An absolutely wonderful achievement , I am not sure if people realize just how special and demanding this must of been. I myself have had the good fortune of climbing throughout the world , some big challenging mountains, my first was Kilimanjaro which I summit ed in 2007. I cannot imagine how you were able to do this barefoot , I would never even have considered this possible. Have all of you still got your toes ? Brilliant achievement.
Andrew Ridl
Well done team, what a challenge and what an achievement! Admittedly there were a few naysayers amongst us that thought it was not possible – so great respect to all of you!!!
Reets
Tears of joy were shared for you all, what an incredible journey. So brave, strong and determined – WELL DONE TEAM
Liz de Speville
This is so amazing…well done to you all.
Nolan
Well done champions! Awesome awesome achievement! Even I doubted if you could make it barefooted, you’ve done SA proud. I attempt Kili on Friday (in aid of Smile Foundation), hope to make summit too!
Fran Price
Congratulations to you all. What an amazing achievement – I am blown away!!
Jenny
Glad you are safely back down the mountain and relaxing! Soak it all up! Will be at CPT 6pm tomorrow to meet you!
Crayfish, smoked salmon and that Roast Beef and Yorkies are all organised. Cant wait to hug you both, you world -beaters! Cape Talk called me this morning, glad they will be crossing live to you in prime time tonight.
Mark Human
Epic Andrew, awesome and a huge congrats to you and your team. Bet many people thought that impossible. Tell Diz I say he’s gone soft….what’s with the boots??!!
Keep well, Mark
Reedo
Great job buggers
I will treat Cowley to a Cane+Cream to celebrate.
pam and dan
amazing feat ..well done team impi …welcome home and enjoy a well deserved rest knowing you have helped so many kids at the red cross hospital …what a feeling!!!
PG
Fantastic well done. How did you warm your feet up during breaks on the final day?
Sue and Peter Young
WELCOME HOME, HEROES!
Catta
Congrats – well done!
I am so proud to be a part of your fanclub!
Irma Delport
Dear Barefoot Impi’s !
I have tears in my eyes in awe of all of you ! Expiditions like this and just ordinary people doing extra-ordinary things sparks up so much inside of me it feels like I want to explode. Well done a 1000 times over and over !!
Absolutely FANTASTIC !!
Toni
This gave me goosebumps! You are a remarkable group of people. Congratulations on achieving such an incredible feat!
Ryan Joffe
You are all an inspiration. well done. Huge respect.