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How I found a diamond on Killi

It was Day 6. That night at 11pm we were to get up and prepare to depart.

We slept fitfully, fully clothed and ready to go. It was a cold night and Sarah was digging deep. She asked me to say something motivational to her. I thought about how she was on the verge of quitting, how she felt powerless, how she did not eat well. I had to be tough so said: " This is he last time in your life you will ever be here and have this chance..." She went to sleep with this in mind. 4 hours later we awoke at 11:20, there was low calling from within the team and no sign of our African friends. We eventually all roused and went to the mess tent for biscuits and tea. I made Sarah eat a full snickers bar in addition which helped pep her up...she was in better form after her sleep - adrenalin and excitement of the moment was apparent. Our team of package-tour trekkers seemed more reticent, it seemed some did not get any sleep.

The team headed off at 12:30 , bottom of a long line of headlights (unessicary as it was a beautiful full moon). Sarah was at ease in contrast to a team seeming tired and a little nervy. The cha cha line progressed slowly with an irregular stop start pace. Progress was punctuated with impromptu breaks in the first two hours which stemmed from the poor pacing of Rastus. The team struggled now. Sarah had persistently cold feet (she insisted on wearing light socks to avoid blisters). Nevertheless Sarah kept strong and positive - she felt good. At a stop I put on an extra pair of socks, placing two hand warmers at her ankles. Later I put windproof pants on her and that did the trick.The temperature was -10 or so, it felt very cold. and Sarah and I put our down coats on to keep warm.

At around 5000m members were progressively deteriorating in their own quiet worlds - keeping a stiff upper lip. Kat was sick twice, and then at the caves, she fell, confused and dizzy. To my surprise Rastus seemed clueless as to what to do. Clearly AMS he was reluctant to dispense diamox and sought assurance that immediate descent was required. First at hand, Rachael and Carol did wonders with their caring support, got dextrose into Kat, and before she knew it was on her way down. The women of the team were a decided asset. At 5300m, just after this our "old friend" Francis popped up and asked if we wanted to split the group into a fast team to run ahead to get up to Gilman’s point before 8am. What a question, what timing! Certainly Sarah and I had summed up Francis correctly - Obviously I told Francis that the idea was bollocks and made it clear that we were best sticking together (Edwardos rule no 4). The small party of 3 opted to go ahead anyway, though none of them had ever been to this altitude previously. Sarah was undeterred, happy with the pacing and grew in confidence and warmth.

The remaining team plodded along and grew fainter we had one extra accompanying guide with the team. At sunrise the team pulled up. Darren dizzy and had blurred vision, Stuart voiced a similar feeling. Rachel was struggling well but grew tired, her dad Paul and Darren & Kats friend Neil decided that they would opt to turn back as they felt the summit as too far away. and they may stop us reaching the top. A selfless decision, admirable and one which was unfortunate - had there been the extra guide they would have pushed on. Carol, Sarah and myself plodded on with Rastus. Poli Poli we continued on our own, looking upwards, passing snow then rock. As we plodded the scree turned into rock. Persistence and positive minds carried Sarah and Carol onwards.till dawn arrived and the sun rose.

I whispered to Sarah to keep her eyes open for precious stones..perhape we will find something. At 7:30 am we reached Gilman’s Point 5685m onto of the mountain's crater rim. We were delighted to get there - the view was spectacular. Carol had gone as far as she could. Rastus was telling us that he was going back.. We knew this would be the scenario. What now? Do I split and go on or stop with them.

Sarah was ready to move on, she was tierd but strong. Do I take Sarah, who had defeated her fears and preconceptions of impossible, to the summit? This was surely the girl for me. I should take her for more than one summit.

Mindful of her descent, I did not go on. Carol took my camera. I knelt on one knee and asked Sarah the question. Would she be my wife? With a surprised look, she bursted into tears. She said yes! I have never been happier on top of a mountain. We were all ecstatic. We looked across the glaciers and to the summit and were content. Sarah had a ring and I had a diamond .