Adam's peak

Didn't sleep much before my alarm woke me up at 2am
Warm clothes, water, snacks and a fully charged camera. Good to go.

The top before sunrise was the goal.

Walked with a French girl and her half Danish/half French boyfriend. Nice with company.
The track to the top of Adams peak is basically 5000 concrete steps.
It's season for pilgrim, so the track was pretty crowded.
I was amazed to see small children and old people, most of them walking barefoot.
It is a very hard climb, and pilgrims were sleeping/resting everywhere. A lot of pilgrims were also walking down.
Usually the track is luminated, but a power shutdown in the area ment no light for us. Well, the moon (almost full) was shining bright, and lots of stars were visible.
Considering the time of the day, I was surprised to see the number of open shops next to the track.
All selling the same of cause: drinks, tea and sweets.

The track was really crowded at some places, so we were a little worried if we could reach the top before sunrise, or even get to the top.

Before we got to the top I met some Danish tourists, walking down? Oh no ?

I asked them, and they said the top was really crowded, and too cold.

20 minutes later we reached the top, with  plenty of time to spare before sunrise.

The peak is important to most religions, but these pilgrims were Buddhist.
Outside the temple at the top there's a big bell, and your allowed to ring it once for every time you have reached the top. Some old people were ringing it plenty of times. Impressive!

We lined up at some stairs facing east. Ready for sunrise.
A lot of pilgrims were waiting here too.
It was about 5 degrees and windy.
Very cold for Sri Lankans being used to 30 degrees.
I sat next to a boy, probably 12 years old. He was only wearing a t-shirt, and thin jeans. His dad was wearing a big jacket + more.?? The kid was shaking. I had extra clothes in my bag, and after a while he accepted to borrow it.

Pilgrims were praying, sleeping and shivering.
Around 6:20 the sun finally rose, and we got what we came fore. A spectacular view. Magnificent view. Shared with hundreds of pilgrims on top of Adam's Peak.

The climb down was hard on our tired legs, but breakfast at the Green House kept us going, and passing the little shops.

We passed a lot of pilgrims still climbing. Really old ladies taking one step at the time. Impressive!
But every year pilgrims die trying to reach the peak.

My favorite lady here, 89 year old Brenda was waiting at the guesthouse with a great breakfast. By the way, she'll climb the mountain Saturday, when there's a fullmoon. She thinks it's her 88th time climbing Adam's Peak!

After a great breakfast, and a little rest,  I went for a little walk to the river.
A lot of pilgrims were swimming in the pools. I joined them, and became instantly a big attraction. Introduce my self a lot of times, and showed of with tricks in the water. Great and fun time.

I think I'm of to Hatton tomorrow. From there not sure. Yet.

Pictures are from the climb, and one from The Green Guesthouse, which I can recommend for it's great atmosphere, the really nice staff, the cheap prices and their great food.