Up on the Roof of Africa - David Kootnikoff

Discovering what it takes to summit Kilimanjaro...

clipped from english.ohmynews.com "Hakuna matata," says Freddy, our guide, reminding us once again that there's "no problem." It's 4 a.m. and nearly six kilometers above sea level, where we are clinging to Mount Kilimanjaro, the "roof of Africa," like castaways from "The Lion King." "Iko Matata," I reply. "There is a problem." An icy wind is slicing through my scarf, raking my face like a bag of thorns and I'm pushing on the wife's butt to prevent her from passing out. We've been going for close to six hours through the frozen dark. In a few more hours the sun will finally peek over the horizon.