Why Must It Always Rain On Me……

Big Tree Camp – 21^st February 

There was a tangible buzz of excitement and anticipation among the group this morning as finally after all our planning and preparation the start of our Kilimanjaro adventure had arrived.

 

There was barely organised chaos as we got ready to leave, bags being weighed, emptied and weighed again before being loaded onto the trucks whilst we dashed about looking for those with enough space in their rucksacks to ensure no wine was left behind!

 

 Bags on top......

 Peeps in the back (and yes it was just as cosy as it looks)!

 

The weather hadn’t been great since the others arrived but it was clear now and it wasn’t long before they caught their first glimpse of Kibo rising above the cloud looking almost translucent in the distance.

I’m not sure who spotted it first but their loud exclamation of “F*** it’s BIG!” summed up the feeling of the group pretty well!

 Yes, it is BIG!

 After 90 minutes of the “good” road followed by the best part of an hour of “African” road we arrived at the Londorossi Gate the official start of our trek!

 Londorossi Gate, The "Official" start to the Lemosho Route.

 

 After over 2hrs in the truck there's a welcome opportunity to stretch our legs......

Whilst waiting for our turn to sign the register.

We’d been told the night before that we’d be supported by a crew of 74 (yes 74!) guides, cooks and porters so the scenes we witnessed on our arrival made our departure from the Ilboru look positively civilised! 

Although everybody needs to register here the actual “walking” start is about 30 mins away, so in addition to our trucks was a big lorry to transport the crew some of whom were in the process of climbing over the sides in an attempt to grab the best “seats”.

 The scramble for the best seat begins despite the lack of actual seats!

Once spotted a brief scrum ensued as the rest piled in to stake their claim however it was all in vain as they were soon hustled off for a roll call before being allowed on one at a time.

But it's all to no avail as they're unloaded for the roll call!

Right on cue it started to rain just as we loaded ourselves back into the truck and tentatively our convoy approached our start.

Watching the truck ahead snake it way across the track searching for traction as it moves closer and closer to a 50 ft drop into the forest is one thing but to feel yours do the same was almost enough to ensure……well you can probably imagine!

 There were moments when I wondered if this would be the last photo of the truck in front!

It wasn’t long before the condition of the track had deteriorated so much that there was no choice but to dismount and proceed on foot.

 Not the best track to walk on but marginaly better than trying to drive!

It may have added an hours walking to our day but soon confirmed as the right call as we passed a group desperately trying to power out a truck stuck up to it’s axle! 

The rain refused to ease up and our progress slowed to a crawl as the path alternated between a sticky bog and a greasy mud slide making some sections virtually impassable.

 And although the rain eased as we entered the forest....

But the wet (and slippy) ground made some of going tough!

It certainly wasn’t the glorious start to our expedition we had anticipated and there was a definite spell amongst our group as we each contemplated the prospect of another eight days of this!

 The scenery was spectacular.

Offering as much support as we could to one another we progressed, literally step by step through spectacular forest eventually arriving at Big Tree Camp just as the light began to fail.

 

 There's the Big Tree.....

 and there's the camp!

Having promised good food based on my experience we were not disappointed with a menu that was exactly the same as my first night on Mt Meru.  

The coincidence was soon explained when we discovered that January was also amongst the cooks here.

 The mess tent ready and waiting for ravenous trekkers!

With many in the group exhausted and everyone well fed it was obviously never going to be a late night but there was just enough time for some 15 year old single malt and some Green & Blacks Butterscotch, the secret weapons in my charm offensive!