The true heroes of the mountain. These men made it possible for us and for 20,000 tourists each year, to climb the mountain. Thanks!
Sunday, September 2, 2007
Kilimanjaro Heroes
The true heroes of the mountain. These men made it possible for us and for 20,000 tourists each year, to climb the mountain. Thanks!
Day#1: Machame Gate(5,914 ft) to Machame Camp(9,274 ft)
Leaving the guest house in Arusha
First time we see the mountain
The contenders, from the left, Brian, Kirsten, Liz, Cosmin and Mark
The Rules:
Started the climb through the tropical forest
…and there is the rain. It will not stop for the next three days
First time we see the mountain
The contenders, from the left, Brian, Kirsten, Liz, Cosmin and Mark
The Rules:
Started the climb through the tropical forest
…and there is the rain. It will not stop for the next three days
Day#2: Machame Camp (9,274 ft) to Shira Camp(12,461 ft)
It rained solid for the day
Nice ponchos! 
Where is Shira Camp? Up the hill!... 
Lunch under Rock
Much happier faces in the dining room tent
Since, at the end of the day, almost everyone in our group is soaked wet, including the porters and guides, we decide to stay an extra night at Shira Camp to dry out. According to Julius (chief guide), we need a dry day before climbing to higher altitudes. Good call, Julius!
Next day, we learn that two porters from a different company, Zara, have died b/c they did not have proper gear to cope with the rain and cold temperatures; one porter died at Barranco Camp and another porter died at Karanga Valley. Very sad news.
At the end of the trip, we also learn that due to those two deaths, the park entrance regulations for porters have changed; every porter will be checked from now on to make sure he has proper gear to climb the mountain. Also, another regulation that was already in effect is that every porter’s bag is weighted to make sure is less than the max weight allowed to carry on the mountain.
Nice ponchos! Where is Shira Camp? Up the hill!... Lunch under Rock
Much happier faces in the dining room tent
Since, at the end of the day, almost everyone in our group is soaked wet, including the porters and guides, we decide to stay an extra night at Shira Camp to dry out. According to Julius (chief guide), we need a dry day before climbing to higher altitudes. Good call, Julius!
Next day, we learn that two porters from a different company, Zara, have died b/c they did not have proper gear to cope with the rain and cold temperatures; one porter died at Barranco Camp and another porter died at Karanga Valley. Very sad news.
At the end of the trip, we also learn that due to those two deaths, the park entrance regulations for porters have changed; every porter will be checked from now on to make sure he has proper gear to climb the mountain. Also, another regulation that was already in effect is that every porter’s bag is weighted to make sure is less than the max weight allowed to carry on the mountain.
Saturday, September 1, 2007
Day#3: Shira Camp (12, 461 ft)
Finally, we are able to see Kibo 
Happy to see the sun after couple days of rain
Mount Meru is behind us. 
Acclimatization climb to just a bit over 14,000 ft. Rain is on the way…
…and the rain caught up with us
Julius sounds retreat back to Shira Camp…
Godfree presenting us the plan for tomorrow
How about that rain?...
After dinner, we get to meet every member of our crew. Thanks Julius!
Happy to see the sun after couple days of rain
Mount Meru is behind us. Acclimatization climb to just a bit over 14,000 ft. Rain is on the way…
…and the rain caught up with us
Julius sounds retreat back to Shira Camp…
Godfree presenting us the plan for tomorrow
How about that rain?...
After dinner, we get to meet every member of our crew. Thanks Julius!
Day#4: Shira Camp to Barranco Camp
Finally, leaving Shira Camp (12,461 ft)
I understand you guys are a bit circumspect, but we are moving up from Shira Plateau…
…we just need to climb faster than the clouds below us…
Getting closer to the fork that separates the trail to Lava Tower (15,140 ft) from the trail that leads directly to Barranco Camp (13,066 ft)
Keep smiling…it seems we beat the clouds
Hi Kirsten!
Keeping an eye on the clouds gathering up on the Kibo…
Getting very close to Lava Tower (15,140 ft). At this point I had to cut short all conversations and concentrate on breathing...
Liz, I still don’t understand how you were able to sing Piano Man and in the same time you continued to breathe normally at that respectable altitude (15,560 feet)
Descending from Lava Tower after a short lunch break...
Sometimes is good to have long legs, it helped me descend quickly and I had time to take all these pictures below:
Traffic on your left!
Hi Liz!
...clouds caught up with us…
“Here comes the sun, here comes the sun, and I say it's all right”, …and the smiles are back too...
Barranco Camp just below us
Good job, Godfree! We are almost there
I understand you guys are a bit circumspect, but we are moving up from Shira Plateau…
…we just need to climb faster than the clouds below us…
Getting closer to the fork that separates the trail to Lava Tower (15,140 ft) from the trail that leads directly to Barranco Camp (13,066 ft)
Keep smiling…it seems we beat the clouds
Hi Kirsten!
Keeping an eye on the clouds gathering up on the Kibo…
Getting very close to Lava Tower (15,140 ft). At this point I had to cut short all conversations and concentrate on breathing...
Liz, I still don’t understand how you were able to sing Piano Man and in the same time you continued to breathe normally at that respectable altitude (15,560 feet)
Descending from Lava Tower after a short lunch break...
Sometimes is good to have long legs, it helped me descend quickly and I had time to take all these pictures below:
Traffic on your left!
Hi Liz!
...clouds caught up with us…
“Here comes the sun, here comes the sun, and I say it's all right”, …and the smiles are back too...
Barranco Camp just below us
Good job, Godfree! We are almost there
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