18 Comments
User's avatar
Robyn Everingham's avatar

Great story Julia. Loved it. My best to date is Mt Snowdon (1085m) in Wales. It's certainly not Kili but I loved it. We started early as we always do. On the way down we were full of encouragement for ascenders but closer to the bottom, watching people dressed so inappropriately, it was: Sorry got nothing good to tell you!

Expand full comment
JULIA HUBBEL's avatar

People do NOT respect the wild, Robyn.

Expand full comment
Robyn Everingham's avatar

I know right. Every year on the 3 peaks challenge in the UK where you climb all 3 peaks in the same day, they have this thing where they bring bags of rubbish down with them. What sort of person leaves rubbish in nature. Grrr!

Expand full comment
JULIA HUBBEL's avatar

Those people. I'll stop there.

Expand full comment
User's avatar
Comment deleted
Mar 27, 2024
Comment deleted
Expand full comment
JULIA HUBBEL's avatar

Darwin......

Expand full comment
Randy Roig's avatar

Julia: I made the mistake of not doing the longer hike up, trying to do it in 3 days when I was young and very foolish (43). My body gave up at about 16,500 and I could go no further. A very strong lesson then on the necessity of preparing for any ordeal like that, no matter how good of shape you think you are in!

Expand full comment
JULIA HUBBEL's avatar

Now I know why you prepare so carefully these days!

Expand full comment
Marlo Leaman's avatar

Wow Julia! I strive to be like you! Thanks for sharing the information about the porters-very important to help others when we can! "You have to climb the mountain to see the view."

Expand full comment
Erik Hogan's avatar

Total badassery!! Thanks, Julia!

Expand full comment
Jan M. Flynn's avatar

You have my deep admiration, Julia!

Expand full comment
JULIA HUBBEL's avatar

Many thanks Jan. Not sure I deserve it but thank you.

Expand full comment
Jan M. Flynn's avatar

Dear heavens . . . how much more would you have to do to deserve it??? Anyway, it's yours.

Expand full comment
Victoria's avatar

Amazing, Julia! I'm saving the KPAP details for my friends who are considering the climb. Thanks for sharing this awe-inspiring trip. I love the photos!

These days, as a caregiver, I find my 'play' in small, creative, precious moments—a different kind of climb and strength. We certainly 'play well and play smart', with heightened intention and meaning than the average norm!

Expand full comment
JULIA HUBBEL's avatar

Thanks Victoria. This option isn't for all for very good reason, and increasingly caretaking is one of them. We all have a private Kili to climb and it's unique to each of us.

I sincerely hope your friends will research KPAP. I've got a slew of pieces on Medium about them. They do great work.

Expand full comment
Victoria's avatar

Thanks, Julia. I hear you and appreciate your perspective. Absolutely, these days, we each have a whole range of mountains that we climb (pun intended - sorry!).

I'm still determining if I'd choose to do the Kili trip, irrespective of caregiving! ;-) RESPECT! I'll get my friends to look on Medium, thanks!

Expand full comment
JULIA HUBBEL's avatar

Kindly advise if they have issues, I have some 2200+ articles over there. If they are too hard to find, let me know and I'll find a few and fire the links over to you.

Expand full comment
Victoria's avatar

Thanks, that's kind of you, Julia - I'll let you know. I've no idea about what stage they're at of planning. now.

Expand full comment
User's avatar
Comment deleted
Mar 27, 2024
Comment deleted
Expand full comment
JULIA HUBBEL's avatar

Very kind of you, Shannon. There are thousands of different ways to do this kind of thing. Macchu Picchu, Everest Base Camp and Kili, all of which I have done, are some but they are also uber popular. Dig into some of the lesser-knowns, and see what appeals. I'm researching a new option in Pakistan for women right now. Stay tuned!

Expand full comment