Mt. Kilimanjaro Ed's Pack
Kilimanjaro Picture of the week 15
I love this photograph.
We are down climbing the ridge above Moir Camp we had ascended for acclimatization. It is quite straight forward as ridges go but it was the first time on our trek that we had a cloud come into view below our line of sight.
We didn’t realize how much altitude we had gained until this moment (14,600-ft)
Date: April 9th, 2007 |
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Kilimanjaro Picture of the week 13
Along the final ridge as we approached Moir Camp we could see this B-Movie Spaceship like structure standing juxtaposed among the volcanic topography.
Some Norwegians built it in the 80’s. It was certainly no light task as it measures 20+ feet tall with two levels but we had crossed an access road during our 7 hour hike up to Moir Camp. I’d like to think they used this rather than haul the materials up the entire mountain.
After arriving at camp, my son and I had time to explore the area before dinner. Of course we headed …
Date: March 26th, 2007 |
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Picture of the week 11
After the acclimation hike to Klute Peak our hunger had vanished for the first but not the last time on the mountain.
This was our third dinner on the trail at Shira 1 Camp. The green stuff is spinach and the brown stuff was curry chicken. On a good day I like both of these items. Our true challenge was the white glob which is called stiff porridge. It wasn’t rice, noodle or potato that I could tell. I’ll describe it as a cross between wallpaper paste and foam insulation.
We forced the curry and spinach down but …
Date: March 14th, 2007 |
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Picture of the week 9
Our second stop on the mountain became Shira 1 Camp.
To the south east along the eroded edges of the Shira Cone you can see, in the center of the photograph, both Klute Peak on the left and Johnsell Point. We scaled Klute Peak on our acclimatization day and I equaled my personal altitude record of 12,300 ft. The record was broken every day of the trip after that. Not surprising when you consider, after Mt. Kilimanjaro (19,340 ft.), there is only one other place in the world where a trekker (without climbing skills) can hike to a …
Date: February 26th, 2007 |
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Kilimanjaro Picture of the week 7
The morning of our second day we transitioned out of the rain forest into the heather region. We stopped in this spot so the Cheeseheads from flatland could take a breather. If you look closely you can see our porters dotted along the trail that snakes up the crotch of the raising valley. The scene changes rapidly on the Lemosho Glades Trail as well as all the other route choices.
Date: February 13th, 2007 |
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Kilimanjaro Picture of the week 14
This picture of our two outstanding Tusker guides; Stephen and Yusto was taken during our acclimatization climb above Moir camp. Behind them you can see the entire Shira Plateau which we had crossed as we ascended the mountain.
These two guys were dedicated to our success in every way. Stephen was very patient with us, i.e. the Cheeseheads from flatland, and an excellent teacher. Yusto helped me the day the side effects from the Malaria preventive I had taken, Lariam, had me convinced they were going to disqualify me from continuing up the mountain…I’d never been that …
Date: April 3rd, 2007 |
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Picture of the week 12
This photograph shows the remote Moir campsite as we arrived. The knob on the upper right is the place we hiked to the second day to continue our acclimatization program.
The slog to Moir Camp was my toughest day on the trial.
The Lariam (malaria preventive) side effects had me spooked to the point I thought my guides were conspiring against me. This was, of course, total paranoia on my part as it was, indeed, our guides that gently put me straight.
(If you choose to use a malaria preventive, I recommend staying away from Lariam. This child of …
Date: March 19th, 2007 |
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Picture of the week 10
Our acclimation hike to the top of Klute Peak offered this panoramic view of the Shira Plateau and Kibo (the center volcano of the three that make up Kilimanjaro i.e. Shira, Kibo and Mawenzi) around 24 miles away.
We could see the Western Breach peeking at us and wondered each day what climbing it will be like.
Date: March 12th, 2007 |
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Kilimanjaro Picture of the week 8
As we moved out of the rain forest and into the heather region, the foliage, although still over our heads, had airiness to it. It was completely different than the constant shade of the jungle.
By our lunch break I had already lost my appetite at the 9000 ft. level.
Kili had taken the first swing but there was beauty at every step.
Date: February 20th, 2007 |
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Kilimanjaro Picture of the week 6
Every morning I’d hear the cooks moving around followed by the hiss of the kerosene burners. That meant breakfast in about half an hour. I could lounge in my nice warm sleeping bag a little longer.
I was amazed by the quality of meals we had set before us. Even though we were not always hungry.
Date: February 5th, 2007 |
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