Day 1: 22 February
Departed Dar es Salaam in the evening with my friend and we flew from Dar to the Kilimanjaro National Airport. It was already dark by the time of our flight, so we could not see Mt. Kili from the air. A driver met us at the airport and drove us to Arusha, where we checked into a cheap, but adequate, hotel. Ate a late dinner and then to bed, excited for the next day.
Day 2: 23 February
After breakfast, we were taken to the tour company’s office, where we paid our money and were given a briefing about the climb and how to recognize symptoms of altitude sickness. We are in shorts and t-shirts and have a camelback (backpack with enclosed water pouch and tube you can drink from while walking) with our lunch and then our big packs with winter clothes, sleeping bag, etc. Everything is loaded in a van and we drive 2.5 hours to the base of Mt. Kili at Marangu Gate. On the way we catch glimpses of the mountain through the clouds. Get to the park and register and sign in and take some pictures, then we get started on our climb. The big saying on the mountain was “pole pole”, which means to go slowly. The advice is that you don’t need to be in great physical shape to conquer the mountain (I’m an example of that), but you need to give your body time to acclimate to the change in altitude. In fact, they say that sometimes the fitter athletes have a harder time because they push themselves and go too fast, and hence have problems at the higher altitudes. This first day we climbed about 1000 meters and walked about 9 kms, and it took us about 5 hours. We stopped for lunch along the trail and passed a lot of beautiful scenery. We were walking through a rainforest vegetation level, so lots of trees, waterfalls, things like that. We even saw blue monkeys and a big mongoose. We got to the first rest camp, the Mandara Camp, in the late afternoon and we were surprised at how cold the weather had changed. No more shorts and t-shirts. The porters carry our big packs and all the food and everything, so it makes the hike quite enjoyable. We never see the mountain peak today during our climb, as we are still low in the jungle. They cook our dinner for us and then to bed around 9pm, sleeping in cabins on bunks.
Day 3: 24 February
Up early and ate breakfast and it was beautiful to see the sunrise over the valley below us and to already be above the low cloud cover. Got our packs all ready and then headed out of the camp. Right away we saw some beautiful black and white Colobus monkeys, with long, bushy white tails. Headed up to Maundi Crater, where we get our first glimpses of the peak of Mt. Kili off in the distance. It was rather awe-inspiring to see and realize we were going to be going all the way up to the top. Also a little daunting since it looked so far off. Continued our hike, and today we went about 12kms in 7 hours. Beautiful scenery as we left the rainforest behind and headed into the moorlands, with much smaller trees and bushes and stuff. Beautiful views of Mt. Kili all day long as we hike closer and closer. Arrive at the Horombo Camp, which is about 3,800 meters up, or approx. 12,500 feet. Much colder now. I put on a jacket over my long-sleeve shirt and huddle in my sleeping bag all night long. I’ve been taking some pills to combat high altitude sickness, and a side effect is that it makes you pee…a lot. So nothing like getting out of your warm sleeping bag in the middle of the night.
Day 4: 25 February
Today was our acclimatization day, so we were staying at Horombo Camp for another day. The purpose of this day was to provide our bodies with the opportunity to get adjusted to the altitude, in order to increase our chances of making it to the summit. We did a 3 hour hike to Zebra Rock, which allowed us to climb another 400 meters before coming back down to Horombo Camp, going about 4 kms. I was happy because except for some small headaches, I really wasn’t feeling any effects of the altitude. Also, while my body was tired had been tired after the 3 days of walking, I wasn’t feeling any major aches or pains, so I was feeling pretty comfortable about my chances. We again had great views of Mt. Kili before clouds came in and covered up the peak for the rest of the day. Spent the afternoon lounging around the camp and getting ready for the big day tomorrow.
Day 5: 26 February
Today is the big day, leading up to the attempt at the summit. We leave Horombo Camp in the morning and head off for our hike to the last camp. Weather grows steadily colder as we get higher, and I’m wishing I had worn my gloves today. We hike 10 kms to the last camp before the summit, Kibo Camp. Kibo is located at about 4,700 meters, or approx. 15,500 feet, so we are almost 3 miles up. The vegetation changed from moorland to alpine desert. It reminds me a lot of northern Arizona or southern Utah, with lots of rock and some scrub. We get to Kibo Camp at around 3pm and immediately try to rest for 2 hours. We then eat our last dinner and go back to sleep, trying to get as much sleep as possible. It is difficult though to get a good sleep at higher altitudes, so I have a restless sleep. It is really cold now when they wake us up at 11pm and tell us to get ready. We drink hot chocolate and eat some biscuits, and put on all our cold weather clothing. At midnight we head out to attempt the summit.
Day 6: 27 February
This is a very long day, where we hike 34 kms, which is over 20 miles. We leave Kibo Camp at midnight and start the long hike up the mountain, which is quite steep and covered in scree and shale. The guides keep telling us “pole pole” so we go pretty slow. It is called the Kili shuffle, as we plod up the mountain. Have lots of time to think, as there isn’t much talking going on during this segment. It is freezing cold, but I’m pretty warm in my winter clothes. We continue upwards and leave the dirt trail behind and start a series of switchbacks over the scree. This is quite difficult on my calves, as I hike over this stuff; it is like walking on sand. We keep going up and I find myself scrambling over huge rocks and boulders. I ask out loud if we are lost, when suddenly we are at the top of the mountain at Gilman’s Point. It is now 5:45am and I am elated. Gilman’s Point is on the top of Mt. Kili, but it is not the highest point. Since Kili is a volcano, we now have to hike around the rim for a while longer to get to the highest point. But I take a moment to enjoy the fact that I made it to Gilman’s Point. We continue walking along the rim, and now we are on small paths with rock face on one side and a snowy plummet down on the other side. We watch the sun come up over East Africa and it is incredibly beautiful. Plus I’m grateful to have some warmth and some light. I can’t believe how far off the highest point is still, and I can see why they say that the last part of Kili is more mental than physical, as we see people quitting and turning around. Physically we are tired, but the worst part is behind us, so we continue onward and upward. There is snow on the ground and huge snow/ice glaciers all around. Most of the ice is a very pretty blue, so that is neat..
At 8am, we finally make it to Uhuru Peak, the highest point on Mt. Kili and the highest point in Africa. We are at 5,895 meters, or approx. 19,500 feet up. We take tons of pictures at the top, enjoying the view and the fact that we made it. We both carted up American flags, so we take pictures with our flags and I plan on framing it at home. We get to spend 30 minutes at the top and I’m practically giddy. I’m tired, but my body feels good and I have no physical complaints. I get cellphone service, so I call Chelisa and she celebrates with me. It is finally time to head back down the mountain, and it is a pleasant hike back to Gilman’s Point. Then the hike becomes difficult, as we have to go down all that loose scree on the steep slope. This is where my body starts to ache, as my toes ram into my boots and my knees start to get sore. We get back to Kibo Camp at 12:30pm and they let us rest for 2 hours, then we have to hike back to Horombo Camp. My body really doesn’t want to do that, as I’m physically tired and sleepy tired too. But we hike the last 10kms to Horombo, arriving there at 6pm. I’m in bed by 6:30pm and I sleep for 12 hours straight.
Day 7: 28 February
Another tiring day as we walk all the way off the mountain. My body felt great after 12 hours of sleep, but then we had to hike about 21 kms downhill, from Horombo Camp to Mandara Camp and then all the way to Marangu Gate. The weather gets warmer the further down we go and we shed clothing along the way. Going downhill is harder for my body, and I develop my first blisters and get some bruised toenails. My body is finally ready to take a break, so when we get to the Gate at around 3pm, I am very relieved and happy to be down. We get certificates proclaiming that we made it to the top, and then we are driven back to our hotel, 2.5 hours away. My body has stiffened by the time we climb out of the van and I’m sore now. I get to take my first shower in 6 days, and my climbing buddy really appreciates that. Eat dinner and go to bed early.
Day 8: 29 February
Fly home to Dar es Salaam, tired but happy. All in all, we hiked about 80kms (about 50 miles). I’m very glad that I climbed the mountain and I encourage all of you to give it a shot if you ever get the chance. Definitely a trip of a lifetime.
Departed Dar es Salaam in the evening with my friend and we flew from Dar to the Kilimanjaro National Airport. It was already dark by the time of our flight, so we could not see Mt. Kili from the air. A driver met us at the airport and drove us to Arusha, where we checked into a cheap, but adequate, hotel. Ate a late dinner and then to bed, excited for the next day.
Day 2: 23 February
After breakfast, we were taken to the tour company’s office, where we paid our money and were given a briefing about the climb and how to recognize symptoms of altitude sickness. We are in shorts and t-shirts and have a camelback (backpack with enclosed water pouch and tube you can drink from while walking) with our lunch and then our big packs with winter clothes, sleeping bag, etc. Everything is loaded in a van and we drive 2.5 hours to the base of Mt. Kili at Marangu Gate. On the way we catch glimpses of the mountain through the clouds. Get to the park and register and sign in and take some pictures, then we get started on our climb. The big saying on the mountain was “pole pole”, which means to go slowly. The advice is that you don’t need to be in great physical shape to conquer the mountain (I’m an example of that), but you need to give your body time to acclimate to the change in altitude. In fact, they say that sometimes the fitter athletes have a harder time because they push themselves and go too fast, and hence have problems at the higher altitudes. This first day we climbed about 1000 meters and walked about 9 kms, and it took us about 5 hours. We stopped for lunch along the trail and passed a lot of beautiful scenery. We were walking through a rainforest vegetation level, so lots of trees, waterfalls, things like that. We even saw blue monkeys and a big mongoose. We got to the first rest camp, the Mandara Camp, in the late afternoon and we were surprised at how cold the weather had changed. No more shorts and t-shirts. The porters carry our big packs and all the food and everything, so it makes the hike quite enjoyable. We never see the mountain peak today during our climb, as we are still low in the jungle. They cook our dinner for us and then to bed around 9pm, sleeping in cabins on bunks.
Day 3: 24 February
Up early and ate breakfast and it was beautiful to see the sunrise over the valley below us and to already be above the low cloud cover. Got our packs all ready and then headed out of the camp. Right away we saw some beautiful black and white Colobus monkeys, with long, bushy white tails. Headed up to Maundi Crater, where we get our first glimpses of the peak of Mt. Kili off in the distance. It was rather awe-inspiring to see and realize we were going to be going all the way up to the top. Also a little daunting since it looked so far off. Continued our hike, and today we went about 12kms in 7 hours. Beautiful scenery as we left the rainforest behind and headed into the moorlands, with much smaller trees and bushes and stuff. Beautiful views of Mt. Kili all day long as we hike closer and closer. Arrive at the Horombo Camp, which is about 3,800 meters up, or approx. 12,500 feet. Much colder now. I put on a jacket over my long-sleeve shirt and huddle in my sleeping bag all night long. I’ve been taking some pills to combat high altitude sickness, and a side effect is that it makes you pee…a lot. So nothing like getting out of your warm sleeping bag in the middle of the night.
Day 4: 25 February
Today was our acclimatization day, so we were staying at Horombo Camp for another day. The purpose of this day was to provide our bodies with the opportunity to get adjusted to the altitude, in order to increase our chances of making it to the summit. We did a 3 hour hike to Zebra Rock, which allowed us to climb another 400 meters before coming back down to Horombo Camp, going about 4 kms. I was happy because except for some small headaches, I really wasn’t feeling any effects of the altitude. Also, while my body was tired had been tired after the 3 days of walking, I wasn’t feeling any major aches or pains, so I was feeling pretty comfortable about my chances. We again had great views of Mt. Kili before clouds came in and covered up the peak for the rest of the day. Spent the afternoon lounging around the camp and getting ready for the big day tomorrow.
Day 5: 26 February
Today is the big day, leading up to the attempt at the summit. We leave Horombo Camp in the morning and head off for our hike to the last camp. Weather grows steadily colder as we get higher, and I’m wishing I had worn my gloves today. We hike 10 kms to the last camp before the summit, Kibo Camp. Kibo is located at about 4,700 meters, or approx. 15,500 feet, so we are almost 3 miles up. The vegetation changed from moorland to alpine desert. It reminds me a lot of northern Arizona or southern Utah, with lots of rock and some scrub. We get to Kibo Camp at around 3pm and immediately try to rest for 2 hours. We then eat our last dinner and go back to sleep, trying to get as much sleep as possible. It is difficult though to get a good sleep at higher altitudes, so I have a restless sleep. It is really cold now when they wake us up at 11pm and tell us to get ready. We drink hot chocolate and eat some biscuits, and put on all our cold weather clothing. At midnight we head out to attempt the summit.
Day 6: 27 February
This is a very long day, where we hike 34 kms, which is over 20 miles. We leave Kibo Camp at midnight and start the long hike up the mountain, which is quite steep and covered in scree and shale. The guides keep telling us “pole pole” so we go pretty slow. It is called the Kili shuffle, as we plod up the mountain. Have lots of time to think, as there isn’t much talking going on during this segment. It is freezing cold, but I’m pretty warm in my winter clothes. We continue upwards and leave the dirt trail behind and start a series of switchbacks over the scree. This is quite difficult on my calves, as I hike over this stuff; it is like walking on sand. We keep going up and I find myself scrambling over huge rocks and boulders. I ask out loud if we are lost, when suddenly we are at the top of the mountain at Gilman’s Point. It is now 5:45am and I am elated. Gilman’s Point is on the top of Mt. Kili, but it is not the highest point. Since Kili is a volcano, we now have to hike around the rim for a while longer to get to the highest point. But I take a moment to enjoy the fact that I made it to Gilman’s Point. We continue walking along the rim, and now we are on small paths with rock face on one side and a snowy plummet down on the other side. We watch the sun come up over East Africa and it is incredibly beautiful. Plus I’m grateful to have some warmth and some light. I can’t believe how far off the highest point is still, and I can see why they say that the last part of Kili is more mental than physical, as we see people quitting and turning around. Physically we are tired, but the worst part is behind us, so we continue onward and upward. There is snow on the ground and huge snow/ice glaciers all around. Most of the ice is a very pretty blue, so that is neat..
At 8am, we finally make it to Uhuru Peak, the highest point on Mt. Kili and the highest point in Africa. We are at 5,895 meters, or approx. 19,500 feet up. We take tons of pictures at the top, enjoying the view and the fact that we made it. We both carted up American flags, so we take pictures with our flags and I plan on framing it at home. We get to spend 30 minutes at the top and I’m practically giddy. I’m tired, but my body feels good and I have no physical complaints. I get cellphone service, so I call Chelisa and she celebrates with me. It is finally time to head back down the mountain, and it is a pleasant hike back to Gilman’s Point. Then the hike becomes difficult, as we have to go down all that loose scree on the steep slope. This is where my body starts to ache, as my toes ram into my boots and my knees start to get sore. We get back to Kibo Camp at 12:30pm and they let us rest for 2 hours, then we have to hike back to Horombo Camp. My body really doesn’t want to do that, as I’m physically tired and sleepy tired too. But we hike the last 10kms to Horombo, arriving there at 6pm. I’m in bed by 6:30pm and I sleep for 12 hours straight.
Day 7: 28 February
Another tiring day as we walk all the way off the mountain. My body felt great after 12 hours of sleep, but then we had to hike about 21 kms downhill, from Horombo Camp to Mandara Camp and then all the way to Marangu Gate. The weather gets warmer the further down we go and we shed clothing along the way. Going downhill is harder for my body, and I develop my first blisters and get some bruised toenails. My body is finally ready to take a break, so when we get to the Gate at around 3pm, I am very relieved and happy to be down. We get certificates proclaiming that we made it to the top, and then we are driven back to our hotel, 2.5 hours away. My body has stiffened by the time we climb out of the van and I’m sore now. I get to take my first shower in 6 days, and my climbing buddy really appreciates that. Eat dinner and go to bed early.
Day 8: 29 February
Fly home to Dar es Salaam, tired but happy. All in all, we hiked about 80kms (about 50 miles). I’m very glad that I climbed the mountain and I encourage all of you to give it a shot if you ever get the chance. Definitely a trip of a lifetime.
