A number of additional thoughts in no particular order:

• The gods smiled on us as we were blessed with extraordinary weather throughout the trek. It only sprinkled once, and even then it was when we were having dinner in our dining tent on Day 6. The rain stopped before we continued on to our sleeping camp. The clear skies on our summit morning were phenomenal, providing vistas that are unmatched and breathtaking. A friend summited almost exactly a year ago, and he was greeted with a huge fog, er I mean cloud, bank.
• Proper gear and preparation is essential. A couple of items that were indispensable:Hiking boots – seems obvious, but these troopers have accompanied me on two trekking expeditions for a total of about 150 kms thus far. When buying hiking boots, ALWAYS buy them early and break them in. I have yet to have had any foot discomfort or blisters with these guys. I love them  Hiking poles – for a long time I though people who used hiking poles were old wimps. Now I’m a convert. Poles ensure your arms aren’t freeloading on the hike, pulling their weight as well. They provide extra balance and are especially important as you are descending, helping to displace some of the enormous strain on your knees.  Diamox – this stuff is magic. A high altitude med, it helps reduce or eliminate the effects of altitude sickness. A couple of folks in my party opted not to start on it early and the altitude began to get to them (nausea, headaches). This med is a godsend, and helped me focus on my hike, rather than any attendant side effects.
• For me at least, there are very few instances in life more daunting than having to get out of a warm, cozy sleeping bag in sub-freezing weather at 6:00 in the morning. Yech. Thank goodness a friend recommended that I sleep with a pee bottle, as Diamox is a diuretic, and the prospect of getting out of my sleeping bag two to three times a night to pee only compounds the misery. Worked like a charm.
• Speaking of peeing, I’m grateful our trekking company provided a toilet tent. The option was a hole in the floor of an outhouse. Life’s simple pleasures…..
• A deep debt of gratitude to my hike mates Qun Xu, Tom Hill and Andy Battman. Without your support, encouragement and advice, this trek would have been much more difficult. You made it not only bearable, but enjoyable. I look forward to long friendships ahead.
• I booked my trek with Team Kilimanjaro, and I am so very happy I did. They have the operation down to a science and their staff is wonderful. Specifically, many many thanks to Chief Kilimanjaro Guide Frank John and Assistant Guide Guido Masawe. They were with me through every step of the trek and provided very valuable support for me, especially during the tougher stages on the descent. Many thanks also to the rest of the Crew: Cook: Elisnte John, Senior Porters: Kalosi Medadi, Safiel m. Mwanga, Juliasi Lenard, Samora Matiasi, Toilet Porter: Frank F. Masawe, Crew: Kanaeli Sifael, Asante Rabi, Levis Nelson, Kizindaro Mkaka, Josephati Genadi, Mhamed Adam, Moses Kaaya & Masuze Gohoti. All of you made this the experience of a lifetime for me. Asante sana!!!!!!!!!!