556 Discussions and CommentsMember since May 21, 2005
At last on Friday 14 januari we flew in at Kili Airport to spend the night at the Kila lodge to start the next morning with Karibu Africa Safaris for the climb of a lifetime..
Day 1 To Machame Hut 1830m to 3100m About 5 hours The drive from Moshi to the Mount Kilimanjaro National Park Gate takes about 50 minutes. The journey passes through the village of Machame which is located on the lower slopes of the mountain. Once we reach the park gate, the 10 climbers of our group are requested to make their final preparations for the climb. No less then 38(!) Porters will be seen arranging their packs containing the food, water, firewood, and other equipment. Make sure that you have all your day pack items with you as the porters travel very quickly. The 2 assigned guides will be pleased to assist with any additional information. We now leave the park gate and walk through the rain forest on a winding trail to the first uniport hut which is located at an altitude of 3,048 meters. Lower down, the trail can be muddy and slippery. Gaiters and trekking poles are a good idea here. We continue a short distance until we reach the Machame Hut. Here we make camp, rest, enjoy our dinner (2 cooks are also along), and overnight. We have now reached an altitude of 3,100 meters.
Day 2 To Shira Hut 3100m to 3840m About 4 hours After breakfast, we leave the glades of the rain forest and continue on an ascending path, crossing the little valley walking along a steep rocky ridge, covered with heather, until the ridge ends. The route now turns West onto a river gorge at 3,658 meters. Time for rest, dinner, and overnight at the Shira Hut camp site. For acclimatization purposes, some parties stay here an extra night. Here is one of the watch I took along
Day 3 To Barranco Hut 3840m to 3860m About 6 hours From the Shira Plateau, we continue to the east, passing the junction towards the peak of Kibo. As we continue, our direction changes to the South East towards the Lava Tower, called the "Shark's Tooth." Shortly after the tower, we come to the second junction which brings us up to the Arrow Glacier at an altitude of 4,876 meters. We now continue down to the Barranco Hut at an altitude of 3,860 meters. Here we rest, enjoy dinner, and overnight. Although you end the day at the same elevation as when you started, this day is very important for acclimatization and will help your body prepare for summit day. and another one.
Day 4 To Karanga Valley 3860m to 4200m About 4 hours After breakfast, we leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge passing the Barranco Wall, which requires scrambling but is not too technical. We continue through the Karanga Valley (4200m) where our camp will be located.
Day 5 To Barafu Hut 4200 to 4600m About 4 hours We pass the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail. We continue to the Barafu Hut, which is located at an altitude of 4,600 meters. You have completed the South Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles. Here we make camp, rest, enjoy dinner, and prepare for the summit day. The two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo are to be seen from this position.
Day 6 To Summit and Mweka Hut 4600m to 5895m (and down to 3100m) About 11 hours Early morning, we continue our way to the summit of Uhuru Peak at 5,985 meters. This part of the climb takes about 6 hours. It can be very cold at night at these elevations, but it will be quite warm by the end of the hiking day. You will want clothing for both extremes with you. At Uhuru Peak, we have reached the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa. Me on top of kilimanjaro (UHURU PEAK 5895 mtr amsl) too cold to show my AT (-20degree C) From the summit, we now make our descent continuing straight down to the Mweka Hut camp site at 3,100 meters. This part of the descent takes about 5 hours. You will want gaiters and trekking poles for the loose gravel going down. Later in the evening, we enjoy our last dinner on the mountain and a well-earned sleep. Beer and soda may be available for purchase at the Mweka Hut -- the only place on this route.
Day 7 To Moshi 3100m to 1830m About 4 hours After breakfast, we continue the descent down to the Mweka Park Gate. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. Gaiters and trekking poles will help. Shorts and t-shirts will probably be plenty to wear (keep raingear and warmer clothing handy). A vehicle will meets us at Mweka village to drive us back to our Lodge. It is time for celebration with beer in the swimming pool!
2,910 Discussions and CommentsMember since Nov. 14, 2008Taylor, TX,
United States
Congratulations Bas! It was quite an acheivement to make that climb. I agree with an earlier post...this would be a perfect posting for "Where My IWC Has Taken You?
Best regards, Jim
"We are the other people, we are the other people...you're the other people too!" Frank Zappa
Day 1 To Machame Hut 1830m to 3100m About 5 hoursThe drive from Moshi to the Mount Kilimanjaro National Park Gate takes about 50 minutes. The journey passes through the village of Machame which is located on the lower slopes of the mountain. Once we reach the park gate, the 10 climbers of our group are requested to make their final preparations for the climb. No less then 38(!) Porters will be seen arranging their packs containing the food, water, firewood, and other equipment. Make sure that you have all your day pack items with you as the porters travel very quickly. The 2 assigned guides will be pleased to assist with any additional information. We now leave the park gate and walk through the rain forest on a winding trail to the first uniport hut which is located at an altitude of 3,048 meters. Lower down, the trail can be muddy and slippery. Gaiters and trekking poles are a good idea here. We continue a short distance until we reach the Machame Hut. Here we make camp, rest, enjoy our dinner (2 cooks are also along), and overnight. We have now reached an altitude of 3,100 meters.
Day 2 To Shira Hut 3100m to 3840mAbout 4 hours After breakfast, we leave the glades of the rain forest and continue on an ascending path, crossing the little valley walking along a steep rocky ridge, covered with heather, until the ridge ends. The route now turns West onto a river gorge at 3,658 meters. Time for rest, dinner, and overnight at the Shira Hut camp site. For acclimatization purposes, some parties stay here an extra night.
Here is one of the watch I took along
Day 3 To Barranco Hut 3840m to 3860mAbout 6 hours From the Shira Plateau, we continue to the east, passing the junction towards the peak of Kibo. As we continue, our direction changes to the South East towards the Lava Tower, called the "Shark's Tooth." Shortly after the tower, we come to the second junction which brings us up to the Arrow Glacier at an altitude of 4,876 meters. We now continue down to the Barranco Hut at an altitude of 3,860 meters. Here we rest, enjoy dinner, and overnight. Although you end the day at the same elevation as when you started, this day is very important for acclimatization and will help your body prepare for summit day.
and another one.
Day 4 To Karanga Valley 3860m to 4200mAbout 4 hours After breakfast, we leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge passing the Barranco Wall, which requires scrambling but is not too technical. We continue through the Karanga Valley (4200m) where our camp will be located.
Day 5 To Barafu Hut4200 to 4600m
About 4 hours We pass the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail. We continue to the Barafu Hut, which is located at an altitude of 4,600 meters. You have completed the South Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles. Here we make camp, rest, enjoy dinner, and prepare for the summit day. The two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo are to be seen from this position.
Day 6 To Summit and Mweka Hut 4600m to 5895m (and down to 3100m)About 11 hours Early morning, we continue our way to the summit of Uhuru Peak at 5,985 meters. This part of the climb takes about 6 hours. It can be very cold at night at these elevations, but it will be quite warm by the end of the hiking day. You will want clothing for both extremes with you. At Uhuru Peak, we have reached the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa.
Me on top of kilimanjaro (UHURU PEAK 5895 mtr amsl)
too cold to show my AT (-20degree C)
From the summit, we now make our descent continuing straight down to the Mweka Hut camp site at 3,100 meters. This part of the descent takes about 5 hours. You will want gaiters and trekking poles for the loose gravel going down. Later in the evening, we enjoy our last dinner on the mountain and a well-earned sleep. Beer and soda may be available for purchase at the Mweka Hut -- the only place on this route.
Day 7 To Moshi 3100m to 1830mAbout 4 hours After breakfast, we continue the descent down to the Mweka Park Gate. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. Gaiters and trekking poles will help. Shorts and t-shirts will probably be plenty to wear (keep raingear and warmer clothing handy). A vehicle will meets us at Mweka village to drive us back to our Lodge. It is time for celebration with beer in the swimming pool!
cheers everyone
Bas Dekkers
bdekkers@sysqa.nl
" alt="image" />
Last edited: 17 September, 2012 - 19:36
Your the watch I brought along
another one
bdekkers@sysqa.nl
" alt="image" />
Last edited: 17 September, 2012 - 19:36
Great pics BTW.
Best regards
Mark
Last edited: 16 April, 2013 - 00:36
Last edited: 25 November, 2012 - 21:09
Kind regards,
Clemens
Last edited: 30 May, 2012 - 20:59
Best regards
Argiris
Last edited: 29 October, 2011 - 21:11
Regards,
Justin
Last edited: 3 April, 2011 - 20:21
Best regards,
Jim
"We are the other people, we are the other people...you're the other people too!"
Frank Zappa
Last edited: 13 March, 2012 - 15:03
Groet,
Bob
b.bunnik <u>at</u> zonnet.nl
Last edited: 27 August, 2011 - 21:53