This is a nice shot of me and Guido at School Hut (15,000')

the day before our summit attempt.

Looking Back

One last look back at Kilimanjaro and Uhuru Peak.  This shot was taken the morning of day three.  We summitted three days later, walking past those specks of white, that turned into colossal sized glaciers at the top.

Heading Home

It was an amazing trip.  We all made it to the top of Kilimanjaro and will have stories and memories to last a lifetime.  What an adventure.  If Kilimanjaro is on your list, definitely do it.  You will never really have enough time or money to do it, but make it happen!!  It is worth it.

Maassai Boma

On our way back from the Tarangire Safari, our guide dropped us off at a Maassai Boma to visit with the villagers.  It was another great expeience.  If you get a chance to do this as an add-on to one of your safaris, definitely take the opportunity.  It was fasinating.

Tarangire Safari

This was the best safari of the entire trip.  There were so many animals in this park it was amazing.  The best part was hanging out with this clan of lions.  There were two adult females and about six cubs of varying ages.  It was amazing to just sit and watch them.  We were also lucky enough to see one of the lions chase a water buck...which she didn't catch, but it was exciting, nonetheless.  I would spend an extra day visiting this park if we had it to do again.

Lake Manyara Safari

We had planned for today to be a rest day, thinking we would be tired from the trek.  Instead, we were restless, so we called Team Kilimanjaro and scheduled a last-minute day safari out to Lake Manyara.  Despite being the safari-from-hell with our driver taking us on a couple hours of personal errands before heading out to the park, I'm glad we did it.  Although it was the dry season, we still saw lots and lots of wildlife, including some really close encounters with elephants, zebras and giraffes.

Moivaro Village Walk

Before our retreat back to the Kibo Palace, we did a walking tour with a guide who showed us the people and back alleys of Moivaro.  It was a wonderful experience.  The kids were great and really friendly.  They tried on Mary's glasses and just thought it was hilarious.  They also liked to see the photos of themselves in the camera viewfinder.  I'm really glad we took the time to do the tour.

Moivaro Coffee Lodge

For our post-trek splurge we booked a little cottage at the Moivaro Coffee Lodge.  Turned out the Moivaro doesn't really have electricity, other than sporadic service every once in awhile (during the day when you really don't need it).  So, we spent one night here and then retreated back to the safety of the Kibo Palace with everyone else.

Day 7 - Horombo Camp to Marangu Gate

The hike down from Horombo to the Marangu Gate was amazing.  Those trekkers taking the Rongai route up are required to take the popular Marangu route down.  It is a gorgeous route through the most varied vegetation we had seen the entire trip.  The flowers and shrubs at the top above the clouds gave way to dense jungle at the bottom.  It took us about 6 hours to make the 12 mile trek down the mountain.  We were all so glad to see the Marangu Gate, but also a bit melancholy that the great adventure was coming to to a close.  The descent took a toll on everyone's toes, but we were just to be done.  We bought some postcards and enjoyed a cold Coke at the bottom to celebrate.  It was an amazing adventure.  It all seems like a blur now.

Horombo Camp Elevation:  12,185 ft
Marangu Gate Elevation:  6,102 ft
Total Elevation Loss:  6,053 ft
Total Miles:  12.3 miles
Total Time:  6 hours

Day 6 - School Hut to Uhuru Peak

After a couple hours of rest, our guides woke us up at 10pm to get ready for the final assault to the peak.  We left camp around 11pm on a clear and starry night.  The slog to the top was a time warp as my mind focused intently on the each step and then the next.  We could see a trail of headlamps light up the mountainside illuminating every switchback and the interminable climb ahead.  We watched an orange-red moon rise from the darkness...and then the sun rose over Mawenzi just as we reached Gillman's Point.  After some hot tea and a short break, we pressed on to Stella Point.  The last hour or two from Gillman's to the top was the hardest.  I think because it looked so much closer and flatter than it turned out to be.  Despite some headaches, nausea, and clouded vision, the entire group summitted Uhuru Peak around 8am.  It took us 9 hours to get to the top.  It didn't seem that long.  We celebrated our accomplishment for over 20 minutes at the top.  The feeling of success and relief was exhilarating.  It took us another 8 hours of hiking to get down to Horormbo Camp, but the exhilaration carried us through most of the descent.  It was a great day...one we will all remember for a lifetime.

School Hut Elevation:  15,357 ft
Uhuru Peak Elevation:  19,340 ft
Total Elevation Gain:  3,983 ft
Total Time Up:  9 hours
Total Miles Up:  2.3 miles

Horombo Camp Elevation:  12,185 ft
Total Elevation Loss:  7,185 ft
Total Miles:  12.3 miles
Total Time:  17 hours

Day 5 - Third Cave to School Hut

We had the entire trail from Third Cave to School Hut to ourselves.  It was a beautiful day and the hike seemed a bit easier than expected.  We arrived at School Hut ahead of schedule and rested before an early dinner.  It hailed a bit between the sun and mist.  We are getting used to the constant change in weather which can drop 10 degrees in a matter of minutes.  The expanse of the mountain is setting in and time is more difficult to keep track of.  We are at 15,000 feet now.  Some movements seem more labored, but not excessively so.  The slow going and acclimatization nights have worked well for the group.
Third Cave Elevation:  12,185 ft
School Hut Elevation:  15,357 ft
Total Elevation Gain:  3,172 ft
Total Distance:  5.6 miles
Total Time:  5 hours

Day 4 - Mawenzi Tarn to Third Cave

Today we hiked away from Mawenzi towards Kibo across a gentle sloping saddle.  The views of Kibo are amazing.  You can see a light dusting of snow on the mountain indicative of some of the light rain and mist we have been hiking through.  After crossing the saddle to the base of Kibo, we took a spur off the main route and descended to our own private camp at Third Cave.  It was great to be hiking on our own across the great expanse, leaving the crowds behind.  The solitude was palpable.  I don't remember much of Third Cave though as my stomach problems were becoming quite acute.
Mawenzi Tarn Elevation:  14,117 ft
High Point Elevation:  15,137 ft
Third Cave Elevation:  12,185 ft
Total Elevation Gain:  1,020 ft
Total Distance:  6.2 miles
Total Time:  6 hours

Day 3 - Kikelewa Camp to Mawenzi Tarn

Today we climbed to Mawenzi Tarn, a camp nestled below the beautiful craggy peaks of Mawenzi.  There is a small stagnant pond used as the water source for this camp.  The hike to Mawenzi Tarn took us about 3 hours.  After lunch we did an acclimatization hike up the slopes of Mawenzi that took us about 1.5 hours.  We are now at 14,000 feet and still feeling pretty good.  I think those training hikes we did in Colorado have really paid off.  Some people that didn't take the diamox are starting to feel the altitude, but overall, everyone is doing well.  It is cold in the mist.

Kikelewa Elevation:  12,070 ft
Mawenzi Tarn Elevation:  14,117 ft
Total Elevation Gain:  2,047 ft
Total Distance:  2.3 miles

Total Time:  3 hours  

Day 2 - Simba Camp to Kikelewa Camp

We got up early today to get ready for a long day of hiking.  We left the crowded Simba Camp to climb the trail with hoards of other people.  I had no idea this route would be so crowded, but we quickly got used to the company and enjoyed eavesdropping on the varied conversations from the eclectic group of trekkers on the mountain.  After 4 hours of hiking, we stopped for a nice lunch at Second Caves (minus 2 chairs that didn't make it).  After lunch, it was another 4 hours of hiking to Kikelewa Camp.  It was a beautiful day, but the clouds were rolling in by the time we reached camp.

Simba Camp Elevation:  8,615 ft
Kikelewa Camp Elevation:  12,070 ft
Total Elevation Gain:  3,455 ft
Total Miles:  7.3 miles
Total Time:  8 hours

Day 1 - Rongai Gate to Simba Camp

The Rongai route starts out along a dusty wide trail through deforested jungle.  It then passes through some farmland and small villages, before ascending through the low brush heatherland.  You will definitely need your gators for today, as the trail is quite dusty.  We reached Simba Camp just before dark after 4.5 hours of slow hiking.  Unfortunately, the camp was jam-packed full and we had to wait while our porters tried to prepare a site for our tents.  It was dark and cold by the time we rolled into our tents.  It was quite an adventure trying to maneuver in the sloping tent sites.

Rongai Trailhead Elevation:  6,548 ft
Simba Camp Elevation:  8,615 ft
Total Elevation Gain:  2.067 ft
Total Miles:  4.2 miles
Total Time:  4.5 hours

Drive to Rongai Gate

Team Kilimanjaro picked us up bright and early on Saturday morning to head out on our great adventure to climb Kilimanjaro.  They loaded the bags and packs onto the bus and we were off.  Everyone was excited and ready to get on with the climb.  We just had to make it through the 6 hour bus ride to the Rongai trailhead gate, including a stop for last minute supplies at a local mini-mart, and a stop at the Marangu gate for paperwork and permits.  By the time we reached the trailhead, picked the porters, weighed the bags, and ate lunch, I was exhausted.  It was going to be a long day.

Arusha National Park Safari

The day before our big climb up Kilimanjaro, we did a quick day safari out to Arusha National Park.  Arusha NP is about 45 minutes outside of Arusha and is definitely worth the visit.  This was my favorite safari of the trip, probably because it was my first, but also because of the varied terrain and vegetation.  It was mountainous with thick jungle vegetation as well as open green valleys.  We saw so many animals up close.  My favorites were the giraffes who peered at us curiously through the dense brush.  The baboons were pretty fun to watch as well.

Arusha

This morning we all congregated for breakfast at the hotel. David Squire from Team Kilimanjaro came by around 10am and answered lots of questions that everyone had. It was really helpful to get to talk to him and to have some fears and trepidations dissolved. I feel pretty good about our preparations and am ready to start the adventure. After breakfast and our meeting with David Squire, we all walked into town for a little exploring. Most of the time was spent trying to find an ATM that worked so we could all get some schillings. Ray and David also searched for a sim card for their phones. It was pretty much a circus with the 8 of us trying to walk around. We had crowds of people around us trying to sell us paintings, hats, bracelets, etc. Plenty of guys wanting to show us around as well. It was pretty stifling. We ended up having one guy take us to a touristy market where we bought a few things. We were all back to the hotel by 2pm.  Arusha is nothing to write home about. I'm glad we have a safari scheduled for tomorrow.

Kibo Palace Hotel

For our pre-trek accommodations, we stayed at the Kibo Palace Hotel in Arusha.  Kibo Palace is amazing and far exceeded my expectations for lodging.  The rooms were big, with marble bathrooms, hot water, floor to ceiling windows, wireless internet, and full time electricity (something we came to appreciate).  The service was friendly and the morning buffet breakfast was great.  I would definitely recommend staying at the Kibo Palace if you want some pampering either before or after your climb. 

Travel Days

It took us two days to get to Africa from Salt Lake City. Despite a delay out of Detroit, we managed to make it to Amsterdam on time. Unfortunately, our flight from Amsterdam to Kilimanjaro was delayed as well. Weary eyed, but feeling pretty good, we arrived in Tanzania just after 10pm. The flights were long, but the entire ordeal was not as bad as I thought it would be. Team Kilimanjaro was at the airport waiting for us. After collecting everyone's luggage and organizing the three groups of climbers arriving that night, we headed off into the darkness in a safari type van to find our hotel. By midnight we were checked in to the Kibo Palace Hotel and soon thereafter collapsed into bed.

We Leave Tomorrow!

This is my last posting before the great adventure.  We leave for Kilimanjaro tomorrow morning.  I am so excited.  I am also a bit nervous, but hope that the entire adventure goes well.  I was doing some last minute shopping at the Patagonia store, and my friend Paul said to remember the quote: "If something doesn't go wrong, it is not an adventure."  I guess that is a pretty good way to look at it.  Things never really go exactly as planned.  Mary mentioned a similar quote she heard this week:  "There is the trip you plan, and then there is the trip you take."  I have planned.  I have trained.  I have worried.  I am ready for whatever the trip brings.  

BMI

I recently checked out my body mass index, body fat percentage and other interesting facts.  Here is the summary of my construction after a summer of training. 

Weight:  119.8 lbs
Body Fat Percentage:  17.1%  (low)
Body Water Percentage:  60.5%  (medium-high)
Bone Mass Percentage:  5.5%  (low)
Body Mass Index:  18.8  (low)

Mt. Democrat, Colorado

For our second day in Colorado we decided to hike Mt. Democrat.  Mt. Democrat is located at the same trailhead as the Mt. Lincoln, Mt. Cameron, and Mt. Bross hike that we did in July.  We didn't do Mt. Democrat at the time, so decided we better go back and get it done.  We drove out to the Kite Lake trailhead the night before and slept in the back of the truck again.  Kite Lake is located at 12,000 ft.  We spent a cold night at altitude and woke up to frost on the windows.  We started the hike around 8 a.m.  It was freezing cold. 


Trailhead Elevation:  12,000 ft
Mt. Democrat:  14,148 ft
Total Elevation Gain:  2,148 ft
Total Miles: 4.2 miles
Total Time:  4 hours

Quandary Peak, Colorado

We drove to Colorado for the Labor Day  weekend to climb a couple more 14ers before the big Kilimanjaro trip.  The first day we did Quandary Peak outside of Breckenridge.  We slept at the trailhead and started the hike around 7 a.m.  This climb is a haul.  We did the standard route up the east slope, which pretty much follows the ridgeline all the way up.  For some reason, the way DOWN seemed harder than the way up on this one.  The trail was pretty crowded for a Saturday on a holiday weekend.  We managed to make our way up with the masses.

Trailhead Elevation:  10,940 ft
Quandary Peak:  14,265 ft
Total Elevation Gain:  3,325 ft
Total Distance:  6 miles

Total Time:  6:15 hours

Training Log

Just two more weeks before we head out on the great adventure.  We were only able to get in 40 miles of hiking in August, but we also did quite a bit of road biking for some aerobic cross-training.  I feel as ready as I am going to be.  Looking forward to the big climb!