{"id":1409,"date":"2009-03-02T18:22:37","date_gmt":"2009-03-02T07:22:37","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/slingadventures.com\/?p=1409"},"modified":"2018-08-20T06:39:50","modified_gmt":"2018-08-19T20:39:50","slug":"kilimanjaro","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/slingadventures.com\/destinations\/tanzania\/kilimanjaro","title":{"rendered":"Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania"},"content":{"rendered":"Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest mountain in Africa is an impressive sight. Arising from the surrounding plains as a single volcanic peak adds a certain level of majesty. Our party of 8 got a glimpse of the peak on arrival into Arusha on our Precision Air flight from Nairobi.\r\n
Simba\u00a0Camp - 2700m<\/h2>\r\nAfter getting settled for a night in L'Oasis hotel we were packed and on the bus towards the entrance to the Kilimanjaro National Park. Our guides Deo, Idris and Keplo from Team Kilimanjaro led the way. Our arrival at the park entrance at 2,100m began with lunch before taking the first steps towards the summit along the Rongai route. The Rongai route is one of about 4 routes to the top, but we're told this is the most scenic route as compared with the more popular Marangu or 'coca-cola' express route.\r\n\r\n'Pole, pole' we're instructed by Idris. 'Slowly, slowly you reach the top'. he translated.\r\n\r\nWhile the extreme slowness could be seen as over the top, it was an acclimatisation technique to pace ourselves so as not to get affected by altitude sickness. Mount Kilimanjaro stands at 5,895 which is significant. Taking our time to this altitude will be crucial for success.\r\n\r\nArriving into Simba camp after 3 hours walking we are at 2,700m having hiked 600m on our first day. Everyone felt good and we have a perfect view of the Kilimanjaro peak as backdrop to our campsite. We're told buffalo still roam freely at this altitude so we're cautioned about night visits to the toilet and being wary of long horned visitors.\r\n\r\n
Simba Camp<\/p><\/div>\r\n
Kikelena Camp - 3678m<\/h2>\r\nAwake to a hearty breakfast with the climbing team including porters and kitchen staff doing a great job in keeping us well nourished and hydrated along the way. Our warning of buffalo in the night seemed misguided after we came across fresh elephant droppings not far from camp the next morning!\r\n\r\nAscending just over 1000m over 6 hours on this day to 3,678m meant we were quickly getting into serious altitude. It was noticeably more difficult to breathe and the 'pole, pole' advice began to seem logical.\r\n\r\nCamp that night was on a steep slope on the Kenyan side of the mountain. Settled into bed early we were awoken at midnight by a thunderous storm. The rain seemed to get heavier and heavier. Then just as it wasn't possible to get heavier it turned it up a notch, again and again. Thinking we'd all just get blown of the mountain I peeked outside to assess the situation. Our tents looked like they were setup in a raging river. Torrents of water cascading down the mountain around us. Inside our tents there was a trickle but the bulk of the torrent was being held off. Impossible to sleep it was some hours before the storm subsided and thundered on it's way.\r\n\r\nTaking stock in the morning we witnessed other camps wringing out soaking sleeping bags and damaged tents. We counted ourselves lucky we remain dry for the most part, knowing wet gear would not dry too well the further up we travelled.\r\n\r\n
After the storm at Kinkelea Camp<\/p><\/div>\r\n
Mwanzie Camp - 4303m<\/h2>\r\nA shot sharp climb to the base of Mwenzie Peak. The second main peak on Kilimanjaro. We arrive around lunchtime and are afforded an acclimatisation climb in the afternoon. These climbs allow us to push to a higher altitude but return to a lower altitude to spend the night, hence speeding up the acclimitisation, in theory. Already though one of our party is feeling the effects and to be honest we all are quite laboured in our breathing.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nMwenzie camp is set in a saddle between two peaks and it is noticeably colder. At sunset the ground freezes, crunching under our feet as we make our way to out tents. Awaking for a toilet stop in the middle of the night reveals a decent snowfall has taken place, yet looking to the sky it is clear, all except the millions of stars. So distant yet you feel you could reach out and touch them.\r\n\r\n
Mawenzi<\/p><\/div>\r\n
Horombo Camp - 3734m<\/h2>\r\nMorning brings a freezing start to the day. Also I must mention the toilets which perched on the edge of a cliff are both the most precarious yet picturesque toilets I've had the displeasure of using. After a full camp of hikers had given them a workout.\r\n\r\nA short ascent out of Mwenzie is followed by a descent to Horombo Camp which meets up with the more popular Marangu route trail. Known as the coca-cola route for it's popularity as the express route to the summit, albeit not as scenic.\r\n\r\nHorombo is where we will return after our summit attempt in two days time. Horombo has cabins setup for trekkers although we remain in our tents. We have also begun a nightly tradition of playing Uno card games. Making up new rules as we go to keep the game interesting. Again spoilt by the cooking ability of our climbing crew.\r\n\r\n
Climbing Guide Idriss.<\/p><\/div>\r\n
Barfu Camp - 4800m<\/h2>\r\nBeginning in the morning we were sad to have to leave behind one of the climbing team who valiantly attempted to continue, yet wisely decided to stop. The acclimatisation just not working out. Very much a luck of the draw affair with fitness or experience at altitude not always a defining factor. He was to wait at Horombo under watchful eye of a dutiful porter before we arrived back the following day, hopefully after summiting.\r\n\r\nArriving into Barfu Camp after a steep traverse across a rocky valley we are looking up to the famous glacier firmly stuck to the side of Uhuru\u00a0Peak, the summit of Kilimanjaro. Tents pitched on the narrow peak at Barfu Camp with not much room to stretch the legs.\r\n\r\nIt is an early night as we will wake at midnight to attempt the summit with the intent on arriving to meet sunrise over Africa.\r\n