Kilimanjaro Itinery (Day 9)……

Day 9    (29th February 2012)

It’s not quite time to relax, but with the air now thick with oxygen we descend through forest to Park Gate at Mweka 1,650m. 

There’s enough time for a beer and to to thank the guide and porters for their hard work before continuing to Mweka Village. 

We transfer to Arusha for a celebratory supper and a comfy night in a hotel (complete with indoor plumbing)!

Altitude loss: - 2000m Hours walking: 4-6hrs

Kilimanjaro Itinery (Day8)……

Day 8    (28th February 2012)

A midnight start as our route takes us past Hans Meyer Caver before the loose scree zig zags, a 1:3 gradient and a little more than half the normal amount of oxygen in the air punish you until you reach the to the summit at Gilmans Point 5,685m. 

A quick rest and you’re ready for the final leg, 2hours littered with false summits. 

Feel your spirits lift as the sun rises, revealing exceptional views in every direction, take your time, it’s not a race, but KEEP GOING!

Eventually you find yourself at a signpost, you look up and it hits you….

 

CONGRATULATIONS

YOU ARE NOW AT

UHURU PEAK, TANZANIA, 5895M

Celebratory smiles all round (or is it exhausted relief) and time to find out if your camera batteries have survived the cold.

But your day’s not done yet, the descent to Barafu Camp is almost as brutal on the way down as it was on the way up as the scree gives way underfoot and you’re forced to fight your own momentum.

There’s time for a (quick) break and refreshments, and then it’s down to Millenium Camp 3,800m, where finally you can peel your boots from your feet and rest your aching legs.

Altitude gain/loss: +1,196 / -2,096 Hours Walking: 11-13 hrs Sleep at: 3,800m

Kilimanjaro Itinery (Days 5, 6 & 7)……

The Northern Circuit is one of the newer and lesser used routes on Kilimanjaro that offers an excellent opportunity for acclimatisation as well as to experience parts of the mountain many will not reach.

However it does mean that I have struggled to find information (and pictures) about the areas we will be exploring so this leg of the trek has a little more mystery surrounding it!

Day 5    (25th February 2012)

Continuing along the Northern Circuit we heading north to Moir Valley we climb out of this to the summit of Little Lent Hill at 4,375m before striking eastwards to finish at Buffalo Camp.

Altitude gain: 825m Hours walking: 4-7hrs Sleep at: 4,150m

Day 6    (26th February 2012)

Our last “easy” day before our push for the summit, we start the day with a climb to the top of Buffalo Ridge.

From the top of the ridge we drop down to Pofu and a small spring before heading East to Third Cave Camp and the last water point before the summit.

Altitude gain/loss: -250 Hours Walking: 5-7hrs Sleep at: 3,900m

Day 7    (27th February 2012)

Although short, underestimate today at your peril!

A steady climb to the saddle, the lunar landscape between Kibo and Mawenzi and on to the Outward Bound School Hut. 

Enjoy the rest and early night!

Altitude gain: 800m Hours Walking: 4-5hrs Sleep at: 4,700m

Kilimanjaro Itinery (Days 3 & 4)……

Day 3    (23rd February 2012)

With minimal altitude gain this won’t be the toughest of days but provides an excellent opportunity to allow the acclimatisation process to kick in.

Rather than opting for the direct route across we will be following the southern edge of the plateau allowing us to take in the Shira Cone, Shira Needle and the Shira Cathedral (so even if you did manage to get lost you’ll be in no dougbt that it’s the SHIRA plateau that you are on)!

The next camp is at Shira Hut 3,840m. Close to the glaciated Dome and to the edge of the Shira Plateau with tremendous views on to Mt Meru.

Altitude Gain: 290m Hours Walking: 5-7hrs Sleep at: 3,840m

Day 4    (24th February 2012)

Today we branch off from the Lemosho route instead following the quieter Northern Circuit.

The morning will be spent making our way to the campsite at Moir Hut 4,200m, possible the quietest campsite on the mountain and set in a lovely sheer sided valley.

After lunch there there will be an afternoon acclimatisation walk onto the Lent Hills a rarely visited area of the mountain boasting a 4,700m summit.

Altitude gain:860m Hours Walking: 4-7hrs Sleep at: 4,200m

Kilimanjaro Itinery (Days 1 & 2)……

DAY 1   (21st February 2012)

 

An early morning start and the trek begins.

After registering at the Londorossi Gate continue in 4x4’s to the Lemosho road head before it’s time to grab your rucksack and continue on foot.   

After breaking for lunch you have just a couple of hours walking up to the “Big Tree Camp” where you’ll be serenaded by Turaco & Colobus monkeys before spending settling down to your  first night in tents.

Altitude: 2650m Hours Walking: 2-3hrs

Day 2    (22nd February 2012)

A popular leg on the Lemosho Route, climbing out of the forest and offering the first glimpse of the Shira Plateau and, in the distance Kibo and the way to the summit.

With the steep climbs encountered along the way you can expect to become very familiar with the guides mantra of “pole pole” (slowly slowly).

Such advice should be welcomed, not just for the sake of your aching legs but as you climb above 3,000m you’re also entering the realm of AMS.

From the top of the Shira ridge is a short “stroll” down to the Shira 1 campsite.

Altitude gain: 900m Hours Walking: 6-7hrs Sleep at: 3550m