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Calling From the Rooftop of Africa
Monday, August 9, 1999

Wally
Berg
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Okay, Mountain Zone. It's about 15 minutes until nine and I'm calling you from the rooftop of Africa, at Uhuru Peak, 19,340ft.

I'm standing up here with the father–and–son team, Bill Jr. and Bill Sr., Carl and John. I'm standing up here with "team trouble" from California, all four members: Brian, Dianette, Mike and Joan. And I'm standing here with Catherine. A few members of our team turned back at various times this morning with African guides; Ron and Catherine's party turned back at about 16.4. Probably, my hero of the day, to this point, believe it or not, even though I'm standing here on top, is Jeff who made the judgement to call his high point Barafu down there—based on his ankle and knowing that the challenge ahead was probably going to be more than he could do and still get down safely.

It's only appropriate that I talk about the energy in the Chagga guide that I know all of these people have, and I know everyone in my last group had too. The Chagga guide has a backpack on his back; the Chagga guide has a backpack on his front; the Chagga guide has a backpack on his head. We have all received help from these strong men. Tobias and James are here with me now. Mark and John and these other guys are down the way helping others and they're the only reason we make it up here.

As a mountaineer, I am use to these kind of emotional, exhausted moments and it's great to be sharing them with good friends and it's especially great to be sharing it with Ma–ma, my wife Sally. Her and Tobias just had this picture made and we're going to be loving life here for a few more minutes. And then we're probably going to be starting the slow pace to get down the Mweka. It's still a long day, but I know we've go it in us.

Alpine Ascents Guide Wally Berg, MountainZone.com Correspondent



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