The Milestone Hike
(Day 5)
Tanzania, Kilimanjaro – Dec 24/ Jan 25
Every Trip a Purposeful Trip
I started the hike with an open mind and heart, and finished with my soul full of stories — not just of mountains and altitude, but of healing, connection, and rediscovery.
31 Dec 2024 (Hiking Day 5)
🗺️ Route for the Day
Route: Karanga Camp (3995m) → Barafu Camp (4673m)
Distance: ~4km | Elevation Gain: ~680m
Zone: High Alpine Desert
Duration: ~3–4 hours
The hike from Karanga Camp to Barafu Base Camp may have been short, but it was powerful — a slow, meditative climb through mist, light, and thought.
As the sky began to glow, the distant silhouette of Mount Meru rose above the clouds.
The mountain is you — it all starts with you.
🚶Walking Meditation
This stretch of the mountain became one long walking meditation.
Step by step.
Left, right, left, right.
Pole pole.
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The trail felt quiet and otherworldly — like stepping into the dreamlike world of Death Stranding.
After about at 1hr up slope, the physical effort faded into the background. My focus narrowed to just the rhythm of breath and movement. And then, scattered across the rocky terrain, we saw them — hundreds of stone stacks.
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The slope was covered with countless stones — a striking sight that stopped me in my tracks. As we drew closer to Barafu Camp, a helicopter circled above, said to be signaling and picking up those who chose to give up. LOL.
⛺ Arrival at Barafu Camp
We reached Barafu Camp just before lunch. An emergency helicopter made several low passes overhead, stirring up dust as it landed and lifted off. Strangely, my tent had the perfect view of the helipad — equal parts intense and surreal.
And just like that, it was time to count down to New Year 2025… and to my summit attempt, which would begin in just a few hours.
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View of the helipad from my tent at Barafu camp.
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It was bright and dusty, but no complaints — lunch came with a great view.
🏔️ In the Present, I Focus
Back in February 2024, I wanted to do something big.
Bold. Transformative. Loud.
But something in me said: Wait. Not yet. Take it step by step.
I knew there were still parts of myself that needed attention. I didn’t know exactly how to move forward, but I did know this:
I needed to stop letting the past define me.
And stop letting fear of the future cripple the present.
And by April 2024, I made a decision to put Mt. Kilimanjaro on my vision board — not just as a hike, but as a milestone.
A line in the sand between who I was… and who I was becoming.
And right here on this mountain, it has taught me something profound:
My past doesn’t determine who I am. It is who I choose to be now.
I no longer wait for life to happen for me.
I choose to be the reason things happen.
I belong to myself.
And the more I invest in that truth, the more alive I feel.
Tomorrow, I climb to the top of Africa.
But today — here, now — I already feel on top of the world.
