You know Dixie is filming because 1) It has wildlife in it, down to beetles and ants 2) She captures stunning shots, sometimes even time lapses 3) She shares personal stories and feelings, even when she's emotionally vulnerable. I'm going to have to give her a perfect 10 on this one (on a scale of 5)
I'm not even finished watching this and I had to stop and comment. I've been following Dixie since day 1 on the Appalachian Trail. This was an absolute masterpiece! The filming, the editing, the touching personal touches. Everything about this film was amazing. I don't want it to end. Fantastic!
@@davidbuben3262 I've also been following her since her first day on the AT. Nothing creepy about watching a well done series of journeys by one person. The filming, commentary and advice combined with authentic emotions are wonderful. For those of us who backpacked in days gone by and can no longer do the epic journeys Jessica does this is true entertainment.
Your growth as a filmmaker, documentarian, and storyteller is astonishing. The things you are doing with close-ups, panoramics, time-lapse, night photography, editing, and music are marvelous. And as grand as this adventure is, I love how you tell it through the small details, the human scale, the strivings, and the shortcomings. Finally, the guides are indeed rockstars: your guides in particular, and guides in general. They make the thing go, with proficiency, with humanity, and humility. What a terrific experience. Thank you so much for sharing it with us.
Those guides and porters! What incredible human beings! And to hear them singing near the summit… I don’t know where they get the breath. Enjoyed this immensely.
@@rimonagale1625 Yes, he's been with Jessica (Dixie) for many years as her editor. He even went with her on her CDT journey. He's a skilled artist, isn't he?!
In Jan, 2017 a friend I was out drinking with asked me if I'd like to climb Kilimanjaro with him. Being a little drunk, I said "Why the **** not?". I spent the next 6 months hiking and hitting the gym. Along the way, I discovered Homemade Wanderlust and your videos became a major part of my preparation. We summitted in October (during a nasty snowstorm) and I seriously believe that you were part of the reason for our success. So thanks for that - and thanks also for this video. You took the same route as what we did and I'll be watching this a second time with my wife so that she can see what we experienced.
Thank you Dixie for the terrific cinematography and your sharing of real adventure. As a retired environmental science teacher, I really appreciate your stopping to "smell the roses" and paying attention to creatures great and small. You have a beautiful soul.
Mostly I watch, but sometimes I have to comment: Climbing Kilimanjaro was a bucket list item of mine for many years. A friend, who recently passed, climbed it back in the 1960's. We used to say we would do it together one day - but we waited too long. Long story short, I logged on this morning and was happy to see your video. After watching it with great interest, I must admit I smiled all the way through. Your "shout out" to the porters was well deserved, and I appreciated your "personal admissions" when you described the touch of altitude sickness and your reaction to the woman being carried back down. While I now realize I won't ever climb Kilimanjaro, I will resume my section hike of the AT this April (Day 103, Mile 1105.2) and I WILL check that off my bucket list in 2024. Thanks for sharing this video - your most recent contribution to my "motivation bank". Happy Trails! Willi Pyro
Wow - the storytelling here is so well done. It was also great to see so much appreciation for the local team - it can feel like some UA-camrs try to deemphasize that as much as possible because they have angst about acknowledging that they needed help. Congratulations on an incredible journey and an incredible video produced from it.
Oh my gracious, Dixie! What a gorgeous, masterfully filmed and edited video and such a magnificent experience! Thank you so much for sharing it with us and for introducing us to and supporting the porters. This video should be aired at film festivals, it's so worthy of everyone enjoying it! Top honors, in my book!
This is amazing. I climbed in 2004 when I was 22. Took the Marangu Route. Thank you so much for this video. Brought back so many memories and made me cry several times. Absolutely beautiful footage. I wouldn't have made it to the summit without our guides. One helped me up at the very end and one helped me down quickly after I got altitude sickness. Possibly saved my life. Thank you for this video.
This is the best Kilimanjaro film I’ve seen. I summited 1/7 at 6 am. Seems like we were there at the same time. I thought it was easy, yes I took Diamox. Food was great. Public restrooms were atrocious. No altitude sickness on this route. Porters and guides were amazing. I’d do it again. Thank you!
Congrats! I made it to the top in 2017. Summit day was BRUTAL. 5 of us went, 3 made it. I can relate to your high heart rate. At Kosovo camp, my resting heart rate never fell below 120. My oxygen went to the mid 80’s as well. Totally freaky. I had the same experience with all the guides and porters. Beautiful, caring people. Thanks for giving me the chance to relive these memories!
You did it!! I had no doubts. Your narrative of appreciation for the guides speaks volumes of your character ❤️ -- except now you're spoiled and will always want a porter for future hikes ha! -- this was the ultimate slackpacking(almost). Well done. Bravo!
Not only was this an epic adventure to follow along, but..........at the end you give folks a chance to support the porters with better gear or funding for guide school and THAT IS JUST PLAIN F'N AWESOME because without them most ppl would not ever experience this mountain.
Thank you for your tireless work to film your trek! I've climbed Kilimanjaro 3 times in consecutive years and you nailed it! I started on the Macheme route yet we all meet up at Biancca Camp and the climb from there is the same, Seeing the landscape, from the jungle and the wildlife to the camps and the different animals and birds that are so Kilimanjaro! The food you were served and the porters and guides... They still blow me away and if I ever think I am a bad ass, I think of them and get right sized real quick! I'm so grateful to you for portraying this wonderful and very difficult climb so well.Hats off ot you and your group!! Peace.
I'm living vicariously through you! The staff is worth their weight in gold. I wonder how many times they have climbed it. So happy you all made it. Also, I'm happy you found a partner that jumped in the deep end. Hopefully he's game for more crazy adventures to come.
I rarely comment on UA-cam videos, but I felt compelled to comment after watching this video. It's a triumph. Beautifully shot, expertly edited and great storytelling. What a great job. Thanks for capturing and sharing what had to be a very memorable experience.
I was looking at hiking the Inca Trail to Machu Pichu. There are dozens of packages found online...many with gormet meals, guide services, mule packing even ATV's. In fact, hiking the trail without guides and elaborate meals is hard to find as the locals take pride in the services they offer and how they earn a living. I think it can be a beautiful thing. So proud of you Dixie and the humble way you have documented it.
I went looking for this video again because my wife and I have decided to go to Tanzania in 2027. She spent a lot of time there while getting her first graduate degree and we will be visiting her old friends in various places, doing a Safari, visiting Zanzibar and of course Kilimanjaro. She had already done Mt Meru on her first journey there so the choice of which of the pair to climb was easy. I think I am pretty lucky that I have a partner who already has connections. She also said I will have to learn some Swahili before we head there (she was an Anthropologist when she was in Tanzania). Great video to inspire planning!!!!
Congrats, Dixie! Such an amazing accomplishment on the climb itself, let alone to film it so beautifully! I love the teamwork and camaraderie, so that everyone was able to summit. Thanks for sharing this awesome adventure! You rock! 🎉
Jambo, Jambo bwana! My last trip in Africa (to see the gorillas in Rwanda) would not have been possible without the porters. I even had a female porter. I only got to see Kilamanjaro from a distance in Kenya. Your video was amazing!!! What a pleasure to watch. Thanks for sharing. Asante Sana!
Never been so emotional watching one of your videos! We’ve seen you take on so many challenges but you took it to the next level. So happy for you and to share it with you!
I remember commenting on one of your earlier videos (ignorantly) that you had to have a camera crew. 🤦♂️ You really are an amazing film maker. And as a wise woman once said, "it's hard to fake compassion." Bravo Dixie! I'm a real fan. You have also inspired me to get back into backpacking after a long hiatus because of life and children. Thanks for all your hard work!
I’ve been following your UA-cam channel and watching your videos since 2018. Seen them all. I live very close to the Shenandoah National Park in VA. You motivate me so much. I’m probably about your moms age. I have 4 kids ages 23 to 31. My 26 yo son is in heaven now, after a motorcycle accident in August 2022. This video made me cry. Keep up the hiking. So many life lessons on any trail.
Can’t wait for the Q&A or sit down chat video about this trek. I’d love to hear more about the cost, logistics, selecting a tour group etc. I’d also like to hear about your summit experience now that you’ve had more time to reflect and watch it back.
Congratualtions, you will carrry this with you the rest of your life. Tallest free standing mountain in the World. Five major ecological climate zones. UA-cam wasn't around in Janurary of 2005 when I climbed Kilimanjaro. Still I used a Sat Phone with serial internet to beam photos and map locations back to my website. Climb up was 6 days, down was in 2. Classic Western Breach Ascent. Pole pole was always on your mind, which means slowly, slowly. You acclimate as you climb. No Helipads or permanent buildings back in 2005. On the day of the Summit hike, we started from Summit Crater, 18,800 feet. By the time we reached the Summit 3 hours later, 19,340 feet, it was 7am. It was so cold the water in our bottles froze. Looks like sublimation is still working on Furtwangler Glacier. Amazing how icy it was toward the top.
Fantastic. Great photography and I’m also trying to imagine all that powerpack, camera, tripods and accessory gear that you must have carried. Aaron has done a brilliant job editing this remarkable footage. I was waiting for something from you to drop on youtube, but I didn’t anticipate anything as beautiful as this. And thanks to those porters too. They add substance and vibrancy to the video. Thanks Dixie
Thank you so much for doing this trip to Kilimanjaro and acknowledging the work of the guidelines and porters. I love your inclusion of the wildlife. From southern Africa myself. Best wishes Rodney Shepherd.
Wow wow wow. Not alone for the accomplishments but also for showing the struggles and the respect shown towards all. The videography, editing and soundtrack was absolutely brilliant. Better than any TV show.
Great watch! I did it in 2005 on the Rongai route so this brought back some memories. The crows, the forrest, the cokes on the way down, our lovely porters, the sense of accomplishment, beiing above the clouds that roll in, etc . I felt so bad on the day before the summit, but for some reason had no problems on the actual summit night.
Dixie I I’ve been following your channel since the Appalachian trail And after years of adventures I feel like we are old friends! That seems crazy to say about someone you’ve never met in person! Last October I booked myself a guided trip up Kilimanjaro on the Lemosho route! It was wonderful to watch your video and feel like an old friend was telling me what to expect! It was a masterpiece and I’m fired up for the trip now!
This was so inspirational. The quality of your content is on a whole different level and I've enjoyed watching your evolution over the years. Kilimanjaro is definitely at the top of my bucket list after watching this. Thank you for sharing the beauty of this one precious life, Dixie!
Wow! Dixie that was another mega-step. Beautifully produced, gorgeous cinematography, but most of all was you showing us the important parts. The view and the people. At the basic level… this is what it’s all about. Thank you.
Loved this video! Wow, the summit really did look like the surface of the moon. I liked how you are standing on almost other-worldly mountain yet down below you can see the lights of people just living their normal daily lives.
Omigosh Dixie! This was so awesome. I think the reason everyone loves your videos so much is because you make us feel like we are right there and experiencing so much of the journey. The plants and bugs and animals and people and views! I've never wanted to climb this mountain but now I kinda want to =) Thanks for sharing your journey with us. Beautiful video!
I really enjoyed this video because we were there while you we there. You even used video of our porters welcoming us to Forrest Camp. There were only five of us so we were usually first on the trail. Also we camped at Kosovo to save an hour. Congrats and well done!
... Over the Top AMAZING !! .. Surprised to see the amount of people spread over the camps along the way .... And of course in Dixie style seeing all the wildlife on trail ,, big and small ... Huge praise for the porters and guides ,, not only for the physical strengths but to maintain the morale for all the hikers on trail ... Thank You Jessica for sharing this dream of a hike ...
Dixie, my heart is so happy having watched this. Knowing this is the 3rd continent you've now backpacked on AND your love of high points, plus meeting the wonderful people there- all of it made me so happy for you! ❤
I see that presently there are 999 comments, so let me do the honor of adding the 1000th comment and say that your video is great and super informative. I am scheduled to climb Kilimanjaro in June 2024 and you give what seems to be a very realistic take on the journey. Thx and congrats!
I agree that this was a masterpiece of video filming and editing. It ought to be nominated for some sort of official recognition for excellence in videography. Not a single moment wasn't just epic. Words just don't do justice to this trek!! At first it seemed like a fairly gradual ascent then the last few days were brutal. I can't imagine how that felt and you're no stranger to tough conditions! I loved that there were pigeons! LOL. They're everywhere. LOL And what were those city lights in the last few days? Congratulations!!! A true career highlight, no doubt.
After climbing 14ers in Colorado, I am exhausted just watching this video. I know how my body feels after summiting and I can’t believe how drained you must have been. Unfortunately, as you, going down is as much if not more dangerous because of exhaustion and lapse of judgement. My friend is getting ready to summit Kilimanjaro in a few weeks. He’s a 14er finisher and I’m sure he’s going to crush it. But I’m so happy and proud of you for conquering your mental and physical challenges with this hike. Continued success and be safe
Congrats! and thank you for sharing this. 18:17 When I climbed Kilimanjaro in 2013, that creek was swollen from heavy rains and we waited several hours for the water to recede. It was almost midnight when we arrived at my the next camp.
Really nicely documented video! I took the machame route 5 months ago. A really beautiful experience. The last walk to the summit was very difficult, but worth it. All respect to the porters, the cooks and the guide! They are all super humans!!
Best Dixie quote ever at the summit - "Holy Crap-a-moly!" Absolutely concur with all the other superb comments about Dixie’s journey to this summit and her broader journey of life through hiking. Congratulations!
FANTASTIC video!! Love you Dixie! Love your raw, authentic emotions and how you give equal attention to the small creatures and often overlooked elements of nature as you do the awesome mountains and trails! And, finally, I loved the gratitude you showed to the locals, your guides. They truly do seem so kind and their smiles beautifully conveyed their heart and spirit! Thank you for taking us on another unforgettable journey!
So well done Dixie! I've had the toughest year and you made my heart joyful, inspired hope and reawoke a part of me... The fire. I grew up in Africa and these songs move and empower you in such a way that's hard to describe and mixed with your gift of storytelling and the wonderful clips brought everything to life. In fact you brought me to tears twice - moved in the most positive of ways. I'm more determined than ever to beat my ptsd and panic attacks and tick of Kilimanjaro submit as Ive longed to for so long. Also thank you for continuing to inspire us and also honouring the porters. Like you I'd have struggled. I did the gorilla trecking In Uganda and hope you get to experience that too. ❤️😊
You have said so eloquently how I feel. Kili was top of my bucket list. But moved to NZ and life got in the way of my dream. But Dixie has certainly rekindled the flame. And as for you - I hope you get to do Kili.
@S. M.Hey Turtle. Thank you, I'm on the healing journey and nature helps more than doctors prescription. 😊 Lived in Zambia, Botswana and South Africa my goal is to see all the countries leading up to Egypt, including the highest elevation. Tanzania... Lucky bugger with all those Safaris on the doorstep.
@@NewSkiwi thank you lovely. I'm a Kiwi in Oz so understand how logistics makes it pricier. I hope we both get to do it, and hopefully plan it to coincide with the great migration imagine that. ❤️ May your journey allow you to complete your list sooner rather than later.
Excellent work Dixie! One of your very best documentary / travelogue / story telling videos yet. Really got a feeling of what your personal experience was like - much more realistic than some other videos I have watched. Bravo and holy-crap-a-moly!
Good morning Dixie! Thanks for the Kili Klimb! On the trail cam I was waiting for that second pair of eyes to be a leopard! Now that could be exciting! Great show y’all!
This video is a masterpiece. Thank you for sharing your journey. I enjoyed watching it so much. ❤ And I was moved to tears two times. Great achievement reaching summit, great animals filmed, great story told, great cut and great music. 👏🏻
Amazing amazing amazing! By far the best content on all of UA-cam. I love all your videos and how you capture nature and the animals, and of course the editing and music. Not the first time I shed some tears and probably not the last (: you are such an inspiration!
This a beautiful journey. Kilimanjaro is the only remaining unchecked on my bucket list. Your video is so real and completely agree with you about the guides and porters.
Congratulations!! What a feat. You took great shots and Adam did a fantastic job putting together a throughly entertaining video. You are a superwoman. Plus, Rodney has my respect. Amazing.
Dixie, I don’t know how you do it, but I gain more and more respect for you with every adventure you share. I feel like as you grow as a person, I’m able to live through that growth with you and truly appreciate all of your experiences through your eyes. Thank you for sharing the laughs, the tears, the grit, and the accomplishment of your journey.
A truly wonderful video, Dixie. I relived my own trek up Kilimanjaro of fifteen years ago through your gorgeous film. I took the Rongai route and spent the penultimate afternoon and night throwing up in my tent. There were no helicopters on the mountain in those days and I spent the night imagining having to be carried up the final rocky slopes between Mawenzi Tarn and the Marangu route where there were stretchers on bicycle wheels to take the sick down the easiest route to medical help. Amazingly, I recovered at dawn on the final day and was able to continue to Kibo base camp to make the night attempt up the crater. I felt fine but lack of sleep and food (most of the group were unable to eat more than the odd dry biscuit by then) caused me to give up at around 17000 feet. I was literally falling asleep on my feet, waking up suddenly with no memory of the previous few minutes while walking in full zombie mode. Not the safest way to negotiate a rock wall. Despite not reaching the summit, it was the best and hardest thing I have ever done. I absolutely loved the experience and felt no envy for those in my group who received their summit certificates. I gave it my best shot and will never forget that wonderful sunrise from the crater. How the guides and porters have the breath to sing on their way up the crater is beyond me. I was unable to walk and talk at the same time after12000 feet. Their care and enthusiasm makes the whole trek an unforgettable experience. Congratulations on your success.
Bring back good memories. I was on the summit of Kilimanjaro in September of 2019. I was climbing the whiskey route. I totally agree with you about the respect for the porters and guides. Best wishes from Norway.
Thank You so much for sharing this amazing journey with us Dixie. I've been watching you since the beggining on your AT hike. You are a beautiful soul. You care and love others with such a big heart. Looking forward to what you tackle next!.
I feel the same way about my summit of Kilimanjaro all those years ago. The guides and porters were so phenomenal-the guide we had was in his late 50's and he had summited Kilimanjaro hundreds of times. If it were not for his encouragement-I don't know if I would have made it. I am so glad that you gave them thanks and recognition. What a beautiful and phenomenally crafted video of all the flora, fauna, culture, encouragement and strength on a remarkable mountain experience.
First, congratulations on making the summit of Mt. Kiliminjaro. Hope I spelled it right, lol. Also making another epic video of your thru hike of this amazing life experience and taking us with you to the top of Africa's highest point and meeting some wonderful people. Loved it Dixie! Look forward to your next adventure. 🤩🗻🪶🏕🌍
Congrats to you and Aaron on an amazing production. The long time-lapse at 24 min was mesmerizing and the music throughout made it seem like I was there. Thanks for the effort you put into these!
Congratulations, Dixie and thank you so much. You let me see a place I would never have been able to see. Even if I managed to get to Africa, I could not have made that climb due to Emphysema. You rock.
Thank you so much for sharing this adventure with us. Love how you show all of the ups and downs on your adventures. The mental aspect is so important!
Dixie, You are such an inspiration. I lost my father while we traveled across Alaska and did hiking. Unfortunately anoxic / hypoxic hit my father hard due to the differences in elevation and passed away while on the trip. I love watching your videos it brings back so many memories of Alaska and the challenges we took. You did make mention about being serviced with tea and hot water did you find it difficult to travel in such a large group of other hikers since you have been doing so many hikes alone? Thank You Again for Sharing and I’m so Happy you shared this experience with so many who you inspire ❤
Oh my goodness, I’m so so sorry for the loss of your father. I bet you made a lot of great memories ♥️ It was difficult being with a group and recording. Some people don’t like being on camera (and I respect that), but there’s also constant noise/talking. You can’t capture as many critters. I was on someone else’s schedule, so had to work around that. It was a good trip though, and there are pros and cons to being alone and being with others!
If the boyfriend gets the moon landing joke... he is a keeper! I'm so glad you are filling your life with adventure. I followed you back in 2015 and your videos pushed me to hike the AT in 2017! I bumbed my knees after 800 miles, but I am still determined to go at it again. This year is my second chance to try the AT again. This time I want to flip flop... it will be easier on my knees this way. Give those tendons a chance to strengthen first this time. Enjoy Africa! My nephew is going to Rwanda which is near Tanzania later this year to serve in the Peace Corps. I hope he gets the Kilimanjaro in his schedule. The altitude sickness can kick your but. It got me once in Colorado. Peace.
You know Dixie is filming because 1) It has wildlife in it, down to beetles and ants 2) She captures stunning shots, sometimes even time lapses 3) She shares personal stories and feelings, even when she's emotionally vulnerable. I'm going to have to give her a perfect 10 on this one (on a scale of 5)
Thank you 😭
She is the best! And has inspired me to do the trip in a few years. Thanks Dixie.
Totally inspired! Ty HW Dixie! So stoked and ty for the valuable info! Great filming.
I'm not even finished watching this and I had to stop and comment. I've been following Dixie since day 1 on the Appalachian Trail. This was an absolute masterpiece! The filming, the editing, the touching personal touches. Everything about this film was amazing. I don't want it to end. Fantastic!
Stop following her. Kinda creepy dude.
@@davidbuben3262 Dude, she has almost half a million followers, don't think it's creepy.
@@davidbuben3262 I've also been following her since her first day on the AT. Nothing creepy about watching a well done series of journeys by one person. The filming, commentary and advice combined with authentic emotions are wonderful. For those of us who backpacked in days gone by and can no longer do the epic journeys Jessica does this is true entertainment.
@S. M. okay. Hope so. Geese.
@@davidbuben3262You’ve got to be joking, right?
Your growth as a filmmaker, documentarian, and storyteller is astonishing. The things you are doing with close-ups, panoramics, time-lapse, night photography, editing, and music are marvelous. And as grand as this adventure is, I love how you tell it through the small details, the human scale, the strivings, and the shortcomings. Finally, the guides are indeed rockstars: your guides in particular, and guides in general. They make the thing go, with proficiency, with humanity, and humility. What a terrific experience. Thank you so much for sharing it with us.
Those guides and porters!
What incredible human beings! And to hear them singing near the summit…
I don’t know where they get the breath.
Enjoyed this immensely.
I _LOVE_ that Aaron included the African singing as part of this video. I teared up at some of this video. Sooo wonderful! 👏
Is Aaron the editor?
@@rimonagale1625 Yes, he's been with Jessica (Dixie) for many years as her editor. He even went with her on her CDT journey. He's a skilled artist, isn't he?!
@S. M. That's what I thought too.
@@KimberlyGreen Yes!
Nope, the person that went on the Florida Trail with her was a former significant other.
In Jan, 2017 a friend I was out drinking with asked me if I'd like to climb Kilimanjaro with him. Being a little drunk, I said "Why the **** not?". I spent the next 6 months hiking and hitting the gym. Along the way, I discovered Homemade Wanderlust and your videos became a major part of my preparation. We summitted in October (during a nasty snowstorm) and I seriously believe that you were part of the reason for our success. So thanks for that - and thanks also for this video. You took the same route as what we did and I'll be watching this a second time with my wife so that she can see what we experienced.
Thank you Dixie for the terrific cinematography and your sharing of real adventure. As a retired environmental science teacher, I really appreciate your stopping to "smell the roses" and paying attention to creatures great and small. You have a beautiful soul.
That was very insightful. Thanks for the upload.
Mostly I watch, but sometimes I have to comment: Climbing Kilimanjaro was a bucket list item of mine for many years. A friend, who recently passed, climbed it back in the 1960's. We used to say we would do it together one day - but we waited too long. Long story short, I logged on this morning and was happy to see your video. After watching it with great interest, I must admit I smiled all the way through. Your "shout out" to the porters was well deserved, and I appreciated your "personal admissions" when you described the touch of altitude sickness and your reaction to the woman being carried back down. While I now realize I won't ever climb Kilimanjaro, I will resume my section hike of the AT this April (Day 103, Mile 1105.2) and I WILL check that off my bucket list in 2024. Thanks for sharing this video - your most recent contribution to my "motivation bank". Happy Trails! Willi Pyro
I've watched many of your videos but this one should win an Oscar
Wow - the storytelling here is so well done. It was also great to see so much appreciation for the local team - it can feel like some UA-camrs try to deemphasize that as much as possible because they have angst about acknowledging that they needed help. Congratulations on an incredible journey and an incredible video produced from it.
I am climbing in 4 days! Let's gooo.
Oh my gracious, Dixie! What a gorgeous, masterfully filmed and edited video and such a magnificent experience! Thank you so much for sharing it with us and for introducing us to and supporting the porters. This video should be aired at film festivals, it's so worthy of everyone enjoying it! Top honors, in my book!
agreed buffer festival or shorts for oscar or Venice/sundance
I’m so amazed at the porters. I’m over here counting ounces. Meanwhile, the porters are loaded down. Truly amazing people.
This is amazing. I climbed in 2004 when I was 22. Took the Marangu Route. Thank you so much for this video. Brought back so many memories and made me cry several times. Absolutely beautiful footage. I wouldn't have made it to the summit without our guides. One helped me up at the very end and one helped me down quickly after I got altitude sickness. Possibly saved my life. Thank you for this video.
This is the best Kilimanjaro film I’ve seen. I summited 1/7 at 6 am. Seems like we were there at the same time. I thought it was easy, yes I took Diamox. Food was great. Public restrooms were atrocious. No altitude sickness on this route. Porters and guides were amazing. I’d do it again. Thank you!
Congrats! I made it to the top in 2017. Summit day was BRUTAL. 5 of us went, 3 made it. I can relate to your high heart rate. At Kosovo camp, my resting heart rate never fell below 120. My oxygen went to the mid 80’s as well. Totally freaky. I had the same experience with all the guides and porters. Beautiful, caring people. Thanks for giving me the chance to relive these memories!
That was so good that I was checking my oxygen levels during the show. I wasn’t sure I could make it!😂
Great, great, great Jessica!
You did it!! I had no doubts. Your narrative of appreciation for the guides speaks volumes of your character ❤️ -- except now you're spoiled and will always want a porter for future hikes ha! -- this was the ultimate slackpacking(almost). Well done. Bravo!
Not only was this an epic adventure to follow along, but..........at the end you give folks a chance to support the porters with better gear or funding for guide school and THAT IS JUST PLAIN F'N AWESOME because without them most ppl would not ever experience this mountain.
How does a 40 minute video feel like 4 Congrats. That was awesome
Thank you for your tireless work to film your trek! I've climbed Kilimanjaro 3 times in consecutive years and you nailed it! I started on the Macheme route yet we all meet up at Biancca Camp and the climb from there is the same, Seeing the landscape, from the jungle and the wildlife to the camps and the different animals and birds that are so Kilimanjaro! The food you were served and the porters and guides... They still blow me away and if I ever think I am a bad ass, I think of them and get right sized real quick! I'm so grateful to you for portraying this wonderful and very difficult climb so well.Hats off ot you and your group!! Peace.
I'm living vicariously through you! The staff is worth their weight in gold. I wonder how many times they have climbed it. So happy you all made it. Also, I'm happy you found a partner that jumped in the deep end. Hopefully he's game for more crazy adventures to come.
The porters were amazing!
I rarely comment on UA-cam videos, but I felt compelled to comment after watching this video. It's a triumph. Beautifully shot, expertly edited and great storytelling. What a great job. Thanks for capturing and sharing what had to be a very memorable experience.
I was looking at hiking the Inca Trail to Machu Pichu. There are dozens of packages found online...many with gormet meals, guide services, mule packing even ATV's. In fact, hiking the trail without guides and elaborate meals is hard to find as the locals take pride in the services they offer and how they earn a living. I think it can be a beautiful thing. So proud of you Dixie and the humble way you have documented it.
The landscape is like another planet, absolutely beautiful out there. Love the different trees.
I went looking for this video again because my wife and I have decided to go to Tanzania in 2027. She spent a lot of time there while getting her first graduate degree and we will be visiting her old friends in various places, doing a Safari, visiting Zanzibar and of course Kilimanjaro. She had already done Mt Meru on her first journey there so the choice of which of the pair to climb was easy. I think I am pretty lucky that I have a partner who already has connections. She also said I will have to learn some Swahili before we head there (she was an Anthropologist when she was in Tanzania).
Great video to inspire planning!!!!
Congrats, Dixie! Such an amazing accomplishment on the climb itself, let alone to film it so beautifully! I love the teamwork and camaraderie, so that everyone was able to summit. Thanks for sharing this awesome adventure! You rock! 🎉
Your empathy for all of earth’s creatures shines brightly in this warm loving sharing.
A great achievement. We did the Lemosho Trail in August 2022 and its by far the most scenic route. Incredible memories and a successful summit.
Jambo, Jambo bwana!
My last trip in Africa (to see the gorillas in Rwanda) would not have been possible without the porters. I even had a female porter. I only got to see Kilamanjaro from a distance in Kenya. Your video was amazing!!!
What a pleasure to watch. Thanks for sharing.
Asante Sana!
Never been so emotional watching one of your videos! We’ve seen you take on so many challenges but you took it to the next level. So happy for you and to share it with you!
Brilliant, no limits Dixie 👌 🌎🌏🌍
I remember commenting on one of your earlier videos (ignorantly) that you had to have a camera crew. 🤦♂️ You really are an amazing film maker. And as a wise woman once said, "it's hard to fake compassion." Bravo Dixie! I'm a real fan. You have also inspired me to get back into backpacking after a long hiatus because of life and children. Thanks for all your hard work!
Thank you so much and I’m glad you’re back at it!
Thanks again for sharing with us!!! You are the best!
You got some excellent photography and editing skills. I thoroughly enjoyed watching your climb. Those porters and guides are the heroes of the trek.
I’ve been following your UA-cam channel and watching your videos since 2018. Seen them all. I live very close to the Shenandoah National Park in VA. You motivate me so much. I’m probably about your moms age. I have 4 kids ages 23 to 31. My 26 yo son is in heaven now, after a motorcycle accident in August 2022. This video made me cry. Keep up the hiking. So many life lessons on any trail.
What a beautiful place and what beautiful people. Thanks for "taking us along "
Thank you, Dixie.
Can’t wait for the Q&A or sit down chat video about this trek. I’d love to hear more about the cost, logistics, selecting a tour group etc. I’d also like to hear about your summit experience now that you’ve had more time to reflect and watch it back.
Congratualtions, you will carrry this with you the rest of your life.
Tallest free standing mountain in the World. Five major ecological climate zones. UA-cam wasn't around in Janurary of 2005 when I climbed Kilimanjaro. Still I used a Sat Phone with serial internet to beam photos and map locations back to my website. Climb up was 6 days, down was in 2. Classic Western Breach Ascent. Pole pole was always on your mind, which means slowly, slowly. You acclimate as you climb. No Helipads or permanent buildings back in 2005. On the day of the Summit hike, we started from Summit Crater, 18,800 feet. By the time we reached the Summit 3 hours later, 19,340 feet, it was 7am. It was so cold the water in our bottles froze. Looks like sublimation is still working on Furtwangler Glacier. Amazing how icy it was toward the top.
Fantastic. Great photography and I’m also trying to imagine all that powerpack, camera, tripods and accessory gear that you must have carried. Aaron has done a brilliant job editing this remarkable footage. I was waiting for something from you to drop on youtube, but I didn’t anticipate anything as beautiful as this. And thanks to those porters too. They add substance and vibrancy to the video. Thanks Dixie
First: I'm amazed she signed up for this.
Second: I'm glad she "MADE IT" !
Third: I'm amazed she narrated all the way!
Thank you so much for doing this trip to Kilimanjaro and acknowledging the work of the guidelines and porters. I love your inclusion of the wildlife. From southern Africa myself. Best wishes Rodney Shepherd.
God bless all the porters throughout the entire world. They are extraordinary.
Wow wow wow. Not alone for the accomplishments but also for showing the struggles and the respect shown towards all. The videography, editing and soundtrack was absolutely brilliant. Better than any TV show.
Great watch! I did it in 2005 on the Rongai route so this brought back some memories. The crows, the forrest, the cokes on the way down, our lovely porters, the sense of accomplishment, beiing above the clouds that roll in, etc . I felt so bad on the day before the summit, but for some reason had no problems on the actual summit night.
Dixie I I’ve been following your channel since the Appalachian trail And after years of adventures I feel like we are old friends! That seems crazy to say about someone you’ve never met in person! Last October I booked myself a guided trip up Kilimanjaro on the Lemosho route! It was wonderful to watch your video and feel like an old friend was telling me what to expect! It was a masterpiece and I’m fired up for the trip now!
The ending had me in tears. Thanks you!
This was so inspirational. The quality of your content is on a whole different level and I've enjoyed watching your evolution over the years. Kilimanjaro is definitely at the top of my bucket list after watching this. Thank you for sharing the beauty of this one precious life, Dixie!
My husband and oldest son took a hunting trip to South Africa last year. They said the land and the people are so amazing there!
Wow! Dixie that was another mega-step. Beautifully produced, gorgeous cinematography, but most of all was you showing us the important parts. The view and the people. At the basic level… this is what it’s all about. Thank you.
Loved this video! Wow, the summit really did look like the surface of the moon. I liked how you are standing on almost other-worldly mountain yet down below you can see the lights of people just living their normal daily lives.
Omigosh Dixie! This was so awesome. I think the reason everyone loves your videos so much is because you make us feel like we are right there and experiencing so much of the journey. The plants and bugs and animals and people and views! I've never wanted to climb this mountain but now I kinda want to =) Thanks for sharing your journey with us. Beautiful video!
I really enjoyed this video because we were there while you we there. You even used video of our porters welcoming us to Forrest Camp. There were only five of us so we were usually first on the trail. Also we camped at Kosovo to save an hour. Congrats and well done!
... Over the Top AMAZING !! .. Surprised to see the amount of people spread over the camps along the way .... And of course in Dixie style seeing all the wildlife on trail ,, big and small ... Huge praise for the porters and guides ,, not only for the physical strengths but to maintain the morale for all the hikers on trail ... Thank You Jessica for sharing this dream of a hike ...
i respect the sheer amount of appreciation and credit you give the porters, if you couldnt do it man i couldnt even dream of it!!
Dixie, my heart is so happy having watched this. Knowing this is the 3rd continent you've now backpacked on AND your love of high points, plus meeting the wonderful people there- all of it made me so happy for you! ❤
I see that presently there are 999 comments, so let me do the honor of adding the 1000th comment and say that your video is great and super informative. I am scheduled to climb Kilimanjaro in June 2024 and you give what seems to be a very realistic take on the journey. Thx and congrats!
I agree that this was a masterpiece of video filming and editing. It ought to be nominated for some sort of official recognition for excellence in videography. Not a single moment wasn't just epic. Words just don't do justice to this trek!! At first it seemed like a fairly gradual ascent then the last few days were brutal. I can't imagine how that felt and you're no stranger to tough conditions! I loved that there were pigeons! LOL. They're everywhere. LOL And what were those city lights in the last few days? Congratulations!!! A true career highlight, no doubt.
@19:00 that little fellow winked at you! 😂 Great video!
Congratulations, Dixie! You freaking ROCK! I am thrilled for and proud of you!
Thank you so much!
After climbing 14ers in Colorado, I am exhausted just watching this video. I know how my body feels after summiting and I can’t believe how drained you must have been. Unfortunately, as you, going down is as much if not more dangerous because of exhaustion and lapse of judgement. My friend is getting ready to summit Kilimanjaro in a few weeks. He’s a 14er finisher and I’m sure he’s going to crush it. But I’m so happy and proud of you for conquering your mental and physical challenges with this hike. Continued success and be safe
This was your best work yet! You are amazing!
Congrats! and thank you for sharing this.
18:17 When I climbed Kilimanjaro in 2013, that creek was swollen from heavy rains and we waited several hours for the water to recede. It was almost midnight when we arrived at my the next camp.
Really nicely documented video! I took the machame route 5 months ago. A really beautiful experience. The last walk to the summit was very difficult, but worth it. All respect to the porters, the cooks and the guide! They are all super humans!!
Best Dixie quote ever at the summit - "Holy Crap-a-moly!" Absolutely concur with all the other superb comments about Dixie’s journey to this summit and her broader journey of life through hiking. Congratulations!
FANTASTIC video!! Love you Dixie! Love your raw, authentic emotions and how you give equal attention to the small creatures and often overlooked elements of nature as you do the awesome mountains and trails! And, finally, I loved the gratitude you showed to the locals, your guides. They truly do seem so kind and their smiles beautifully conveyed their heart and spirit! Thank you for taking us on another unforgettable journey!
That fog really does lend an additional air of otherworldliness to an already enchanting location.
So well done Dixie! I've had the toughest year and you made my heart joyful, inspired hope and reawoke a part of me... The fire. I grew up in Africa and these songs move and empower you in such a way that's hard to describe and mixed with your gift of storytelling and the wonderful clips brought everything to life. In fact you brought me to tears twice - moved in the most positive of ways. I'm more determined than ever to beat my ptsd and panic attacks and tick of Kilimanjaro submit as Ive longed to for so long.
Also thank you for continuing to inspire us and also honouring the porters. Like you I'd have struggled. I did the gorilla trecking In Uganda and hope you get to experience that too. ❤️😊
I hope you find your light this year. Cheers & virtual hugs from a stranger in USA
You have said so eloquently how I feel. Kili was top of my bucket list. But moved to NZ and life got in the way of my dream. But Dixie has certainly rekindled the flame. And as for you - I hope you get to do Kili.
@S. M.Hey Turtle. Thank you, I'm on the healing journey and nature helps more than doctors prescription. 😊 Lived in Zambia, Botswana and South Africa my goal is to see all the countries leading up to Egypt, including the highest elevation. Tanzania... Lucky bugger with all those Safaris on the doorstep.
@@stanbyme7874 your kindness and thoughtful words is so appreciated. Humanity needs more people like you. ❤️
@@NewSkiwi thank you lovely. I'm a Kiwi in Oz so understand how logistics makes it pricier. I hope we both get to do it, and hopefully plan it to coincide with the great migration imagine that. ❤️ May your journey allow you to complete your list sooner rather than later.
Best made video yet! Love all your stuff, but golly! Great job!
Your pictures and videos are amazing. You have a great ability to capture your surroundings. Thank you for letting us join your adventures
amazing
Excellent work Dixie! One of your very best documentary / travelogue / story telling videos yet. Really got a feeling of what your personal experience was like - much more realistic than some other videos I have watched. Bravo and holy-crap-a-moly!
Good morning Dixie! Thanks for the Kili Klimb! On the trail cam I was waiting for that second pair of eyes to be a leopard! Now that could be exciting! Great show y’all!
This video is a masterpiece. Thank you for sharing your journey. I enjoyed watching it so much. ❤ And I was moved to tears two times. Great achievement reaching summit, great animals filmed, great story told, great cut and great music. 👏🏻
The group of people that singing is from Summitts-Africa.
Amazing amazing amazing! By far the best content on all of UA-cam. I love all your videos and how you capture nature and the animals, and of course the editing and music. Not the first time I shed some tears and probably not the last (: you are such an inspiration!
This a beautiful journey. Kilimanjaro is the only remaining unchecked on my bucket list. Your video is so real and completely agree with you about the guides and porters.
Congratulations!! What a feat. You took great shots and Adam did a fantastic job putting together a throughly entertaining video. You are a superwoman. Plus, Rodney has my respect. Amazing.
FANTASTIC period
Thank You Dixie, for your passion and all of the extra work that you do to share your adventures with us.👍👍🌹
Dixie, I don’t know how you do it, but I gain more and more respect for you with every adventure you share. I feel like as you grow as a person, I’m able to live through that growth with you and truly appreciate all of your experiences through your eyes. Thank you for sharing the laughs, the tears, the grit, and the accomplishment of your journey.
Remarkably emotional watching this video. Heroic in many ways! Thank you for sharing your most remarkable journey. Wow!
Thank you ♥️
A truly wonderful video, Dixie. I relived my own trek up Kilimanjaro of fifteen years ago through your gorgeous film. I took the Rongai route and spent the penultimate afternoon and night throwing up in my tent. There were no helicopters on the mountain in those days and I spent the night imagining having to be carried up the final rocky slopes between Mawenzi Tarn and the Marangu route where there were stretchers on bicycle wheels to take the sick down the easiest route to medical help. Amazingly, I recovered at dawn on the final day and was able to continue to Kibo base camp to make the night attempt up the crater. I felt fine but lack of sleep and food (most of the group were unable to eat more than the odd dry biscuit by then) caused me to give up at around 17000 feet. I was literally falling asleep on my feet, waking up suddenly with no memory of the previous few minutes while walking in full zombie mode. Not the safest way to negotiate a rock wall.
Despite not reaching the summit, it was the best and hardest thing I have ever done. I absolutely loved the experience and felt no envy for those in my group who received their summit certificates. I gave it my best shot and will never forget that wonderful sunrise from the crater. How the guides and porters have the breath to sing on their way up the crater is beyond me. I was unable to walk and talk at the same time after12000 feet. Their care and enthusiasm makes the whole trek an unforgettable experience.
Congratulations on your success.
Those stretcher with a single bicycle wheel still exist and seem to be used!
Another epic journey in the books - congrats Dixie, to you and that entire crew of climbers! Beautiful.
Bring back good memories. I was on the summit of Kilimanjaro in September of 2019. I was climbing the whiskey route. I totally agree with you about the respect for the porters and guides. Best wishes from Norway.
Thank You so much for sharing this amazing journey with us Dixie. I've been watching you since the beggining on your AT hike. You are a beautiful soul. You care and love others with such a big heart. Looking forward to what you tackle next!.
I feel the same way about my summit of Kilimanjaro all those years ago. The guides and porters were so phenomenal-the guide we had was in his late 50's and he had summited Kilimanjaro hundreds of times. If it were not for his encouragement-I don't know if I would have made it. I am so glad that you gave them thanks and recognition. What a beautiful and phenomenally crafted video of all the flora, fauna, culture, encouragement and strength on a remarkable mountain experience.
WOW! What an amazing adventure! Rodney was great, imagine your first backpacking trip to Kilamajaro! Dixie and Aaron, what an amazing video!
First, congratulations on making the summit of Mt. Kiliminjaro. Hope I spelled it right, lol. Also making another epic video of your thru hike of this amazing life experience and taking us with you to the top of Africa's highest point and meeting some wonderful people. Loved it Dixie! Look forward to your next adventure. 🤩🗻🪶🏕🌍
Congrats to you and Aaron on an amazing production. The long time-lapse at 24 min was mesmerizing and the music throughout made it seem like I was there. Thanks for the effort you put into these!
Congratulations, Dixie and thank you so much. You let me see a place I would never have been able to see. Even if I managed to get to Africa, I could not have made that climb due to Emphysema. You rock.
Thank you so much for sharing this adventure with us. Love how you show all of the ups and downs on your adventures. The mental aspect is so important!
Interesting seeing the experience through someone else’s eyes. I always thought I was chronically depressed until I started watching Dixie’s videos.
Thanks! There's a reason ancient peoples worshipped these mountains and felt compelled to climb them. If Gods do exist where else they gonna be?
Thank you ♥️
Dixie, You are such an inspiration. I lost my father while we traveled across Alaska and did hiking. Unfortunately anoxic / hypoxic hit my father hard due to the differences in elevation and passed away while on the trip.
I love watching your videos it brings back so many memories of Alaska and the challenges we took.
You did make mention about being serviced with tea and hot water did you find it difficult to travel in such a large group of other hikers since you have been doing so many hikes alone?
Thank You Again for Sharing and I’m so Happy you shared this experience with so many who you inspire ❤
Oh my goodness, I’m so so sorry for the loss of your father. I bet you made a lot of great memories ♥️
It was difficult being with a group and recording. Some people don’t like being on camera (and I respect that), but there’s also constant noise/talking. You can’t capture as many critters. I was on someone else’s schedule, so had to work around that. It was a good trip though, and there are pros and cons to being alone and being with others!
Congrats!! I summited Kili on Feb 2, 2023. Was a good intro to some higher altitude. Next big one on my list is Aconcagua
Here I was patting myself on the back walking to pick up a spicy tuna roll a block away.
If the boyfriend gets the moon landing joke... he is a keeper! I'm so glad you are filling your life with adventure. I followed you back in 2015 and your videos pushed me to hike the AT in 2017! I bumbed my knees after 800 miles, but I am still determined to go at it again. This year is my second chance to try the AT again. This time I want to flip flop... it will be easier on my knees this way. Give those tendons a chance to strengthen first this time. Enjoy Africa! My nephew is going to Rwanda which is near Tanzania later this year to serve in the Peace Corps. I hope he gets the Kilimanjaro in his schedule. The altitude sickness can kick your but. It got me once in Colorado. Peace.
The boyfriend as of yesterday is a husband.
@@markkauder1288Well that's just awesome.