I was privileged to feel fit enough to be one of the 8 who continued to the highest point Uhuru Peak (5895m; Freedom Peak), reaching the summit at 8.30am.

The effect of the extreme altitude was very noticeable with a general lethargy and a marked ataxic, swaying walk. We took a few quick photos, drunk in the crystal clear views of the massive crater and shining, glacial ice cliffs and were then all keen to descend quickly to reach less rarified air.

A 3,500 foot scree run took us back to the Kibo hut but the day was not yet finished as we had to continue our descent to the lower Homboro hut at 3700m before we could rest & have a decent nights sleep. I must confess that after 16hrs it was the hardest days walking I have ever done in all my years of mountain wanderings!