Touching the Roof of Africa – my journey to the top of Mt Kilimanjaro

Reaching the top of a mountain is a transformative experience that goes beyond the physical act of climbing. It challenges your body and focusses your mind on a seemingly insurmountable goal. Each step upward requires individual determination and perseverance, and the encouragement and support of your team. But reaching that summit is the reward, and it will transform your life.

I recently reached the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro, the roof of Africa and a major bucket list item - I can affirm the powerful nature of my journey. Standing at 5,895 meters, Kilimanjaro is the World’s largest free-standing mountain and highest point on the African continent — a challenge that demanded determination and teamwork. We reached Uhuru Peak via the Lemosho Route, a grueling seven-day trek that took us from the Lemosho Gate at an elevation of 2100m, across the Shire Plateau (2650 to 3650m), over the Baranco wall (4000m), to Barafu Camp (4,673m), from where we made our push to the Uhuru Peak at 5,895m.

The @John Holland ethos of transforming lives was brought into extraordinary focus during my journey. In Moshi, Tanzania, the jump-off point for Kilimanjaro, I discovered a second-hand John Holland jacket at a local hire shop. The jacket originated on Brisbane’s AirportLink project (delivered in 2012) and still in circulation on the other side of the world – where it continues to generate income for a local business and assist people in achieving their goal of summiting Kilimanjaro.

Climbing Kilimanjaro is not just a physical challenge; it’s a journey of discovery, a new place, a new culture and how far I can still push my body. However, I discovered the impact that our trek has on the local communities. Speaking to one of the guides, it was explained that his earnings from this trek allowed him to send his children to university and the money the guides earned circulated many times through the community strengthening the economy and creating prosperity.

Day 2 and 3, We leave My Mkuba Camp and begin navigating the vast moorlands of the Shira Plateau, staying first at Shira 1 Camp on night 2, then Shire 2 camp on night 3. The transition from moorlands to alpine deserts begins as we climb from 2650 m to 3650m.

From the Shira Plateau we continue to the east up a ridge, passing the junction towards the peak of Kibo. Our direction changes to the South East towards a lava tower called the “Shark’s Tooth” as we head towards Barranco Camp, elevation 4000m.

Day 5: We leave Barranco camp and begin scaling the infamous Barranco Wall, a steep ridge which we must get over to reach the Karanga valley, and Karanga camp, elevation 4050m.

Day 6: Reaching Barafu Camp, we have completed the South Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles. Here we make camp, rest, enjoy dinner, and brace for the midnight summit push.

Day 7: Summit day! Overcoming extreme altitude and fatigue to witness a sunrise at Uhuru Peak.

If you’ve ever dreamt of adventure or wondered about the boundaries of your own determination, this climb is for you. For me, Kilimanjaro wasn’t just a mountain—it was a life-changing milestone, and which I could not have achieved without the support of my family, friends and of course Ezekiel and his team from @Monkey Adventures!

#JohnHollandTransformingLives #Kilimanjaro #MonkeyAdventures #PersonalAchievement #MountainClimbing #RoofofAfrica Gary Keefe Kris Frampton Adam B. James Hearley