I remember two clear thoughts that day,” if I misstep – it will be my last” and “I told Ann this hike had no steep drop-offs – WRONG!”  The air was so thin in the morning  - the porters tied our shoes. Well my boot was not tight and at one point in the day, I need to stop and tighten it.  Our leader wouldn’t let me stop – I kept pestering him – telling him the boot was loose and I needed it tightened.  He finally said  - “at the snowline you can stop”.  Well I was rather pissed off by the time we stopped.  He understood – turned to me and said – 6 people died out there several years ago, it just isn’t safe to stop there. We were going over the Western Breach of Kilimanjaro – known to be dangerous and difficult. 

Dave had to turn around shortly after leaving Arrow Glacier Camp.  He had a stomach virus for the entire climb –and he was unable to continue.