Maltese climbers conquer Kilimanjaro

The Maltese Kilimanjaro climbers returned down to earth yesterday morning, thrilled with their feat, mesmerised with nature but shocked at the news that three tourists had just been killed on the same mountain.

The climbers heard about the tragedy during their descent from Africa's highest mountain - a gruelling feat they did in aid of charity.

Three American tourists were killed and five others were injured when rocks tumbled down Kilimanjaro and smashed into climbers preparing to scale the peak early yesterday morning.

The incident happened as the 19 Maltese climbers were descending the mountain after seven days of resistance, laughs and tears. A 20th climber had to make a U-turn midway through the ascent after suffering from acute mountain sickness.

All climbers were in good health and ecstatic yesterday morning as they returned to their hotel, though the feeling was made even more surreal when they heard of the tragedy.

The Times' photographer, Darrin Zammit Lupi, was one of the climbers: "We were quite shocked when we heard the news. The accident happened near the Western Creek in a camp we actually contemplated staying in. If we did we would have been there last night when the accident took place," he said.

The camp, at an altitude of some 15,500 feet, lies on one of the mountain's most arduous routes. US scientists have predicted that the mountain's fast-melting glaciers will disappear in less than 20 years. It is thought that the shrinking glaciers have loosened rocks they once held in place.

The Maltese climbers paid tribute to the victims during a celebration party last night. Mr Zammit Lupi admitted the trip was the toughest life experience for most of the climbers.

"Going up to the peak was the toughest night of my life - both physically and spiritually. But with perseverance and the help of the others on the team you keep going. During a four-hour trek on Tuesday, I was stopping with every step I took," he said, his voice evidently reflecting the adrenaline rush.

All the necessary safety precautions were taken with one guide assisting every two climbers, not to mention the presence of three doctors among the party.

"While you're climbing you're aware of the danger but the scenery is spell-binding. It's like a scene out of Planet of the Apes or The Lord of the Rings," Mr Zammit Lupi recalled.

The climbers conveniently switched to Hong Kong time to celebrate New Year's Eve in advance to get some extra hours of sleep in preparation for the final push.

When they reached the peak last Tuesday, some of climbers just sat down and watched - others cried with joy.

Rising to nearly 20,000 feet, Mount Kilimanjaro in Northern Tanzania has three peaks - and some 20,000 trekkers set out to reach what is known as "the roof of Africa", the world's largest volcano.

Several climbers do not make it to the top of Kilimanjaro with estimates showing that 70 per cent never reach the peak. In fact, no fewer than 13 of a group of 20 Americans that tried to scale the mountain the same time as the Maltese had to go back because of altitude.

Climber Trevor Zahra admitted that during the last part of the climb some mountaineers were literally crawling on all fours - grappling with oxygen levels in the biting wind.

Describing the experience as a life-changing experience, Mr Zahra was mesmerised by the enormity of the mountain, the inclines, and the beauty of nature in general.

The challenge was one of the projects falling under the patronage of Reaching Out, a charitable group that raises funds for various humanitarian projects in Third World countries.

After last year collecting Lm38,000 to build a school for 250 children in the Ethiopian village of Bulbula, the Maltese volunteers are this year hoping to match this amount in order to build a convent adjacent to the school.