Day 2 - December 12

I've included a description of the Lemosho route. I selected this route for acclimatization - which turns out I really did not need. Hindsight. Could have used less camping in the rain. See below for my day 2.

The 8 day Lemosho variation is the ideal schedule for this route. On the 8 day Lemosho route, the trek from Barranco to Barafu is broken up into two days, allowing for a short day just prior to the summit attempt. This is important because summit day begins very early, around midnight, so climbers are sleep deprived going into the toughest day on the mountain. A short day beforehand ensures climbers are better rested.

Day 1

•Londorossi Gate to Forest Camp

•Elevation (ft): 7,800ft to 9,500ft

•Distance: 6 km

•Hiking Time:3-4 hours

•Habitat: Rain Forest

We depart Moshi for Londorossi Gate, which takes about 4 hours, where you will complete entry formalities. Then drive to the Lemosho trailhead (another hour to reach the trailhead). Upon arrival at trailhead, we eat lunch, then commence through undisturbed forest which winds to the first camp site.

DAY 2

•Forest Camp to Shira Camp 1

•Elevation (ft): 9,500ft to 11,500ft

•Distance: 8 km

•Hiking Time 5-6 hours

•Habitat: Moorland

We continue on the trail leading out of the forest and into a savannah of tall grasses, heather, and volcanic rock draped with lichen beards. As we ascend through the lush rolling hills and cross several streams, we reach the Shira Ridge before dropping gently down to Shira 1 camp. The view of Kibo from across the plateau is amazing. (no such luck)

DAY 3

•Shira Camp 1 to Shira 2 to Moir Hut

•Elevation (ft): 11,500ft to 13,800 ft

•Distance: 14 km

•Hiking Time: 5-7 hours

•Habitat: Moorland

We explore the Shira plateau for a full day. It is a gentle walk east toward Kibo's glaciered peak, across the plateau which leads to Shira 2 camp on moorland meadows by a stream. Then we continue to Moir Hut, a little used site on the base of Lent Hills. A variety of walks are available on Lent Hills making this an excellent acclimatization opportunity. Shira is one of the highest plateaus on earth.

DAY 4

•Moir Hut to Lava Tower to Barranco Camp

•Elevation (ft): 13,800ft to 13,000ft

•Distance: 7 km

•Hiking Time: 4-6 hours

•Habitat: Semi Desert

From the Shira Plateau, we continue to the east up a ridge, passing the junction towards the peak of Kibo. As we continue, our direction changes to the South East towards the Lava Tower, called the "Shark's Tooth." Shortly after the tower, we come to the second junction which brings us up to the Arrow Glacier at an altitude of 16,000ft. We now continue down to the Barranco Hut at an altitude of 13,000ft. Here we rest, enjoy dinner, and overnight. Although you end the day at the same elevation as when you started, this day is very important for acclimatization and will help your body prepare for summit day.

DAY 5

•Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp

•Elevation (ft): 13,000ft to 13,100ft

•Distance: 5km

•Hiking Time: 4-5 hours

•Habitat: Alpine Desert

After breakfast, we leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge passing the Barranco Wall, to the Karanga Valley campsite. This is a short day meant for acclimatization.

DAY 6

•Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp

•Elevation (ft): 13,100ft to 15,300ft

•Distance: 4 km

•Hiking Time: 4-5 hours

•Habitat: Alpine Desert

After breakfast, we leave Karanga and hit the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail. We continue up to the Barafu Hut. At this point, you have completed the South Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles. Here we make camp, rest, enjoy dinner, and prepare for the summit day. The two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo are to be seen from this position.

DAY 7

•Barafu Camp to Summit to Mweka Hut

•Elevation (ft): 15,300ft to 19,345ft (and down to 10,000ft)

•Distance: 5 km ascent / 12 km descent

•Hiking Time: 7-8 hours ascent / 4-6 hours descent

•Habitat: Arctic

Very early in the morning (midnight to 2am), we continue our way to the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers. You head in a northwesterly direction and ascend through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek.

At Stella Point (18,600 ft), you will stop for a short rest and will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see (weather permitting). From Stella Point, you may encounter snow all they way on your 1-hour ascent to the summit. At Uhuru Peak, you have reached the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa. Faster hikers will see the sunrise from the summit.

From the summit, we now make our descent continuing straight down to the Mweka Hut camp site, stopping at Barafu for lunch. You will want gaiters and trekking poles for the loose gravel going down. Mweka Camp is situated in the upper forest and mist or rain can be expected in the late afternoon. Later in the evening, we enjoy our last dinner on the mountain and a well-earned sleep.

DAY 8

•Mweka Camp to Moshi

•Elevation (ft): 10,000ft to 5,400ft

•Distance: 10 km

•Hiking Time: 3-4 hours

•Habitat: Rain Forest

After breakfast, we continue the descent down to the Mweka Park Gate to receive your summit certificates. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. Gaiters and trekking poles will help. Shorts and t-shirts will probably be plenty to wear (keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy).

From the gate, you continue another hour to Mweka Village. A vehicle will meet you at Mweka village to drive you back to hotel in Moshi.

Day 2 - December 12, 2013

Up early at 6am, woken with hot tea served by the brightest little faces of the two waiter porters. So polite and accommodating, this ritual became one of my small wonderful pleasures on this trip!

We left by 7:30am - it seemed to take me forever to get my s^%t together. I DO NOT like being wet and cold. We walked the same pace; SLOW (or Pole Pole they call it) for about 3 hours, then the GD rain started again with a vengeance. I didn't have my rain pants on so my pants got soaked as did everything else. Thank goodness for gaiters. Alfred had insisted I take some warmer clothes of his and a poncho, however the rain just blew through it so my pack was wet.

We arrived at camp #2 ­at 1:30ish to a hot lunch; in the rain. The tents were wet and so were the mattresses. I felt like crying until I saw the Ranger lodge had bunk beds in it. I talked with my roomy Catherine (Cat) and she was OK with it. I didn't want to stand out but I thought if I don't get warm and some of my stuff dry and low altitudes, how will I fare when we are higher and it's colder??

I spoke with one of the co-leaders, (Mumzai??) and for $20,000 TNZ Shillings - about $13 Canadian, I stayed in the lodge. I was able to dry some of my and Cat's stuff out which was amazing. Also, I was warm so was able to sleep. As it happened, one of the 'army' guys (they are both army and airforce) became sick at the beginning of the day. He had to have his pack carried by a guide and it was coming out both ends so to speak. The hike was long but not that strenuous but he was a trooper for making it.

WELL, apparently my staying in the lodge caused quite a kafuffle, especially with the 5 young army folks (One girl and 4 guys, 2 wives). Dinner was tense and I left early. Chambo stopped me as I was leaving from dinner to explain that the reason he goes so slow, is to get in the rhythm for the 4,000+ foot ascent on summit night/day. If you go too quickly, one does not acclimatize properly and the likelihood of not making it to the top is increased. He has taken thousands of people to the top and knows how to do it - made sense to me. He wanted me to share with the group - how interesting since I was now the black sheep!

After I left, they took it upon themselves to discuss how despicable I was, weak, not a team player blah blah blah.. Cat said she had to leave. I never have shied away from controversy, but what business is it of theirs??