I have done multiple hikes and reached the base camp, however never been to the top of the mountain. In the summer of 2025, my son Adithya and I shared the toughest challenge we’ve ever done. We summited Kilimanjaro via the Lemosho route. We wanted a challenge. We aimed to complete a bucket list before he starts his college. We knew this would be the one. To test us in every way—fitness, patience, and mindset. We knew will bond for a lifetime with this shared challenge and learning.
Lemosho starts in the rainforest at Lemosho Gate. Day one was wet, green, and quiet except for birds. The trail was muddy with roots. We wore rain jackets. We learned our first lesson about layers: you can be soaked from rain. You can also be sweating under your jacket. We stopped often to adjust—open vents, take off a fleece, put it back on when we cooled down at breaks.
The next days took us up to the Shira Plateau. We reached Shira 1 and Shira 2 camps. The views were big and open, and the air was colder. We switched to a base layer, light fleece, and windbreaker, adding a warm hat and gloves at night. Altitude started to show up as low appetite and heavy legs. We kept the pace slow (“pole, pole”). We drank water even when we didn’t feel like it. We ate simple meals: soup, rice, pasta. Sleep was short; nights were cold. Getting out of the tent took willpower.
The acclimatization day to Lava Tower (around 4,600 m) was hard. We climbed into wind and chill, had mild headaches, then dropped down to Barranco Camp to sleep lower. That “climb high, sleep low” plan helped. The next morning was the Barranco Wall—hands-on climbing in sections, slow and steady. The guides kept encouraging us. We learned to rest at every small ledge. We removed a layer when we started sweating. We put it back on before we got cold. This rhythm saved energy.
From Barranco to Karanga, the wind picked up. We used glove liners plus shell gloves and a buff over our face. At breaks, we put on down jackets because you cool fast when you stop. Karanga to Barafu (base camp) felt like the last big push before the summit. The trail was dusty and exposed.
The Summit night:
We arrived at the base camp, ate early, and tried to rest. We laid out our summit layers carefully. We had a thermal base top and bottom, mid-layer fleece, and a down jacket. We also prepared a waterproof shell, warm hat, and buff. Two pairs of gloves (liner + shell), thick socks, gaiters, and headlamps were included. Guide helped us pack hot tea in a thermos, and a few easy snacks.
The summit night started around midnight. It was dark, cold, and quiet. We moved in a line of headlamps up a long, steep slope of loose gravel. We followed the guides, counted steps, and kept a steady breath: ten steps, short pause; repeat. Altitude slowed everything. The cold bit through our gloves. Then, we warmed up as we moved. We got cold again every time we stopped. That’s where layering mattered most—zipping and unzipping, tightening hoods, swapping wet gloves for dry liners. We drank small sips so the water didn’t freeze in the tube and ate small bites.
It was mostly a mental fight—stay calm, keep moving, don’t rush. The guides kept saying “pole, pole.” We focused on being together. If one of us felt weak, we adjusted the pace and took a longer pause. Just before dawn, the sky turned gray, then gold. We reached Stella Point and knew we make the final traverse. The sun touched the glaciers and the sign for Uhuru Peak came into view: 5,895 m.
At the Summit:
Standing at the summit didn’t feel like conquering anything. It felt like the mountain let us pass. We respected it by keeping a slow pace and maintaining a steady breath. We listened to our bodies and trusted our team. We took a few photos, hugged, thanked the guides, and started down. I was tired and in pain. Walking in the high altitude while making way in the snow with a recovered body was not an easy task. My leg became numb, and I stopped feeling it because of the acute pain and numbness. Beyond all that when I looked at my surroundings the happiness can’t be explained. It was the sense of achievement and melt down moment for me.
The descent to Barafu hurt my knees and filled the boots with dust. After a quick rest, we continued to Mweka Camp. That day was long and tiring, but the relief of going lower made it easier.
What we Learned:
Climbing Kilimanjaro will teach you how far your body and mind can be stretched when prepared and paced correctly. You’ll learn the importance of acclimatization, listening to your body, and moving deliberately—small, steady steps beat bursts of speed. The summit push will test patience, focus, and grit. Sleep loss, cold, and thin air will force you to rely on determination and calm rather than raw strength. Those moments of doubt become lessons in managing fear and conserving energy.
You’ll also come away with a deeper sense of perspective and community. Dependence on guides, porters, and fellow climbers shows the value of teamwork and humility; no summit is achieved alone. Beyond the peak, you’ll learn that the real reward is the journey. It is about planning carefully and respecting the mountain and local culture. It’s about accepting setbacks and carrying the memory of the climb.
After all, it’s all in the mind. A steady resolve and good preparation can turn a daunting goal into something real.
Video of our Journey :
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