Day 4-"The Mountains are Calling..."

Tuesday June 29th, 2010

Elevation Gain: 3986 Meters to 4662 Meters

Woke up to a beautiful mountain sunrise at Barranco. After a big, hearty breakfast, we had everything packed and were immediately climbing the vertical Barranco Wall. Some sections required hauling your self up with both hands and careful footwork on ledges. Kilimanjaro's Southern Icefield glaciers-Heim, Kersten and Decken-have been bordering us to the left.

Everyones spirits are positive as we've finally arrived at Barafu Base camp. The time is about 4:30 PM and and the temp is freezing up here. The wind chill factor make it difficult to stand outside for long. I've still got mild altitude sickness but am generally feeling alot better today.

We've got to eat and rest-up for the final summit push tonight. Dinner will be served at 6PM. We'll then be woken up at 11:30 PM for tea and biscuits/cookies and then, it's game time as we make for the Kibo Summit at midnight with the aid of headlamps and/or flashlights. The plan is to reach Uhuru peak by sunrise, take pics and then make it back here by 1 PM, rest for about 2 hrs, before proceeding further down to Mweka Camp for the last night. Roughly 14 hrs of hiking.

That's all for now...keep us in your thoughts and prayers. I'll update the blog tomorrow or day after.

"The Mountains are now calling and I must go."

John Muir

Day 3- Trek High, Sleep Low

Monday June 28th, 2010.

Left Shira Caves at 8:45 AM this morning and arrived at Barranco by 4:30 PM. Elevation change: 3839 Meters to 3986 Meters.

Oh boy...today's been rough!! The first half of the day involved a steady climbing up to 4500 Meters where we stopped for lunch. Minhaal went further up to Lava Tower at 4627 Meters. The trail then plateaus for about 30 min before dropping south westwards towards Barranco.

I've developed altitude sickness overnight, and a weak stomach won't let me hold-in any kind of nourishment. It's completely normal and should subside eventually (within a day or so) so I'm not too worried.

We've trekked roughly 10 Km today, steadily moving from Kilimanjaro's western slope towards its southern slope. Its been a steady climb through the dry, boulder-strewn Shira Plateau. The vegetation has significantly declined to resemble the moon's landscape. The weathers been great allowing for clear views of the summit. Got my first taste of the real Kilimanjaro Spring water on our way down to Barranco... no need for the Gatorade shots anymore!!

Tomorrow's hike to Barafu kicks-off with a near vertical scramble up the Great Barranco Wall. Getting on all fours for this climb should be fun...I'm looking forward to it!!

Day 2- Destination Shira

Sunday, June 27th 2010

Left Machame Camp at 9 AM this morning; arrived at Shira Caves by 2 PM. Elevation change: from 3021 Meters to 3839 Meters.

Experienced our first change in vegetation today as the Rainforest made way for stunted, twisted heather bushes. The morning climb, headed north, was rocky & steep as we ascended towards the Shira Plateau. Trekking was a bit slow due to the line of porters (carrying 30Kg plus) already ahead of us. Manged to get our first World-Cup update from a porter ecstatic by Ghana's victory over the U.S. The good news seems to provide an adrenaline boost and makes for interesting climbing conversation.

Morning mist and dense cloud cover has been impeding our view of the Machame Valley, Last nights campsite, and the Tanzanian plains below. A slightly intense climb finally brought us to the days Lunch Stop. Gigantic, hybrid ravens soar the skies here!!

We've arrived safely at Shira Caves- our campsite for the day. The time is 4 PM and the weather is pleasant, allowing clear view of the Kilimanjaro summit. No altitude problems for either of us so far. Mt. Meru is visible to the west, justing out over the horizon and Kilimanjaro's characteristic Obsidian rocks dominates the Shira Plateau ground cover.

I've busted out the GPS and am off to explore the volcanic Shira Caves before sunset. I'll upload pictures tonight. Tomorrows hike is to Barranco Campsite.

Thanks for yr support and for following our blog!!!

DAY 1- Trekking The Kili Tropical Rainforest

Saturday, June 26th 2010

Today has been a beautiful day! We cleared entrance protocol at 11:30 AM at Machame Gate (altitude: 1800m) and have spent all afternoon hiking through the exotic and lush Machame Rainforest. Got our first sighting of the indigenous Blue Monkeys ! Arrived at our dest. for the night Machame campsite (alt: 3000m) at 7:00 PM.

After a sumptuous spaghetti dinner, we were finally rewarded with our first clear view of the Kibo Summit thanks to a transient opening in the clouds and a brightly waxing moon phase. The stars seem to be aligned in the heavens.

Looks like there's quite a-bit of ice at the summit. Tomorrow's going to be a long days hike to Shira Caves and the temp. is dipping fast so I'm going to call it a night!

more blogging possible tomorrow!

WE'RE HEADED TO MOSHI TOWN!!

Friday, June 25th 2010,

Fortunately caught the last bus ride from Dar-e-salaam headed to Moshi at 12:30 PM today; I can't believe this bus conductor's trying to jip be 5000 Tanzanian shillings for the second ticket. "NIAJE BASTE!!"

I’m not quite sure this bus is built to handle 60 plus passengers but we’ll find out soon! The bus ride is 9 hrs so we should arrive in Moshi Town by 9:30 pm. I’m going to be starving when I get to the lodge. I'll update the blog tomorrow morning so stay tuned.

SLIGHT DELAY BUT NOTHING MAJOR!

THUR, JUNE 24TH, 2010

HEY EVERYONE!

SORRY FOR HOLDING OUT ON YOU ALL FOR SO LONG; THINGS HAVE JUST BEEN CHAOTIC HERE AND I'VE HAD TO DELAY THE KILI CLIMB BUT WE SHOULD BE COMMENCING OUR CLIMB THIS SATURDAY SO PLS STAY TUNED!!