Once again,
I have failed to keep to up to date information on this blog. Since last updating I have spent two fast
weeks in India and I currently find myself in Moshi, Tanzania. Today marks the day one of another
mountain adventure. This time, hopefully, to the top of Africa’s highest peak, Mt
Kilimanjaro.
We arrived
Friday, after nearly 20hours of travel and 30hours without sleep (not counting
20mins here and there in a very small airplane seat.) After a bit of confusion
in the airport with yellow cards and finding a ride to town, it didn’t take but
five minutes before I was remind of how much I love Africa. I’m so excited to
be here.
I was pretty
nervous about Kilimanjaro in the days and months leading up to today. My nerves
were calmed a bit after a successful 10-day hike in Nepal, but this is
different story. This to the top of a
mountain, and this is nearly 2000 meters higher. The top, Uruhu Peak, is at
5,895 meters above sea level, that’s 19,341 feet. That’s really high. There’s
only half the oxygen available in the air as at sea level up there.
Last night,
however, we met our guide. Johnnie. The guy is great. We’re going to get along
wonderfully, and I’m nearly certain we will make it to the top. Johnnie has been
guiding Mt Kilimanjaro since 2001. He climbs the mountain three times a month,
and in all his years guiding, he has an 87% success rate with his hikers. I’m SO
EXCITED I DON’T KNOW WHAT TO DO WITH MYSELF!!!
Actually, I
think I’ll go finish packing. We leave for the mountain in about thirty minutes. Wish us luck. We should be reaching the
summit around 5:30AM on May 4th. (local Kilimanjaro time)
For you
entertainment, below I’ve again added my nerded out chart of the day to day
elevation changes and hiking distances.
Day
|
Start
|
Elev (mts)
|
elev (Ft)
|
Finish
|
Elev (Mts)
|
elev (Ft)
|
Time
|
dist (kms)
|
dist (miles)
|
29-Apr
|
Rongai Gate
|
6398
|
1950.1104
|
Rongai Cave
|
9300
|
2834.64
|
4hrs
|
7
|
4.34
|
30-Apr
|
Rongai Cave
|
9300
|
2834.64
|
2nd Cave
|
11300
|
3444.24
|
3-4hrs
|
6
|
3.72
|
2nd cave
|
11300
|
3444.24
|
Kikelewa Cave
|
11811
|
3599.9928
|
3-4hrs
|
3
|
1.86
|
|
1-May
|
Kikelewa Cave
|
11811
|
3599.9928
|
Mawenzi Tarn
|
14160
|
4315.968
|
4hrs
|
6
|
3.72
|
2-May
|
Mawenzi Tarn
|
14160
|
4315.968
|
Kimbo Hut
|
15430
|
4703.064
|
2-3hrs
|
4
|
2.48
|
Kimbo hut
|
15430
|
4703.064
|
Mawenzi Tarn
|
14160
|
4315.968
|
1-2hrs
|
4
|
2.48
|
|
3-May
|
Mawenzi Tarn
|
14160
|
4315.968
|
Kimbo Hut
|
15430
|
4703.064
|
5-6hrs
|
9
|
5.58
|
4-May
|
Kimbo hut
|
15430
|
4703.064
|
Uhuru Peak
|
19341
|
5895.1368
|
6-8hrs
|
6
|
3.72
|
Uruhu Peak
|
19341
|
5896.1368
|
Horombo
|
12205
|
3720.084
|
4-5hrs
|
16
|
9.92
|
|
5-May
|
Horombi Hut
|
12205
|
3720.084
|
Marangu Gate
|
6045
|
1842.516
|
5-7hrs
|
20
|
12.4
|
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