There were 16 unfit people on that mountain.....well...everything is relative, and actually, there were 16 really prepared, motivated, enthusiastic people on that mountain, probably with months of training and preparation behind them.
However... we were completely in awe of our porters. It's not just the fantastic way that they entertained us...these guys do just about everything on the mountain that you can think of to make this trip the most amazing, fantastic experience possible.
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| Eddie brings Breakfast |
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| Innocence - Our Water Man |
Each morning they rise before us, preparing breakfast, two great casks of porridge, eggs, sausages, beans, fresh bread, and fruit. When we've finished eating, and on our way they are collapsing the tents, packing away the equipment, and loading it all into sacks.
They then march off after us, usually catching us up within 90 minutes or so. Soon there is a steady stream of porter humanity passing us by at a rate of knots, with 20 or 30kilos on their backs...(or their heads). While we are tentatively stepping between rocks, these guys, even with a 20kilo sack to carry, are skipping over them, or gliding down slippery muddy slides like gazelle!! 
By the time we catch up, the food tents are up, the lunch is being prepared, they have 50 litres or so of water ready, and purified to refil our bottles. It's completely amazing! After lunch, it's all collapsed again, and they race off to get the overnight camp ready. Each time, when you arrive your tent is up, your overnight bag is inside, and if dinner is not quite ready, then they were quick to engage us in song, or dance, or just to regale us with their smiles, or teach us few more words. Everything is done with a huge smile. They were heroes on our trip. When we needed encouragement they were there, when we needed protection, they were there....when we needed a lift, or a hand up a rock climb, they were there too.
If there was danger ahead, or a cliff to be protected they put themselves in position, and when we were reaching a point of exhaustion, they were there to carry you're bag.
They are amazing. But this is a tough life.... without the porters to help Kilimanjaro would be a mountain to climb. Look after them if you go. http://www.kiliporters.org/
