Mt. Kilimanjaro Pictures
Pictures from all over Kilimanjaro - hiking up the routes, various views of the mountain, its surrounding, and the climbers.
Picture of the week 19
This photo was taken by simply turning 180 degrees from the week 18 shot. Beyond the bazaar boulders, from now on, the Western Breach Route would be looking down on us until we finally reach the crater rim three days hence. That gave us plenty of time to wonder how we would perform and what the task would require from us.
Date: May 7th, 2007 |
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Kilimanjaro Picture of the week 17
This is a photograph our head Tusker guide checking my lungs for fluid as he did every morning on our 9 day journey to the summit. Our blood oxygen levels were also checked twice a day so we knew if we were acclimating as we gained altitude.
I chose an outfitter that monitored our health because I was 53 when I climbed Kilimanjaro plus, I had my son with me. Being from Wisconsin, neither of us had any experience with altitude. I also endured a stress test to make sure I wasn’t carrying any hidden trouble to the …
Date: April 23rd, 2007 |
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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 18
The 4 hour jaunt from Moir Camp to Lava Tower took us through topography where I fully expected to see the White Rabbit darting about. As we approached the intersection where the Lemosho, Machame and North Circuit routes converge, we found ourselves surrounded by this spectacular boulder field. I couldn’t immediately put my finger on why it looked so weird to me but slowly, enough oxygen crept in from the 14,300 ft. air to produce the answer. The boulders looked like they had just been rolled into place; none of them were weathered-in or half protruding. It was …
Date: April 30th, 2007 |
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Kilimanjaro Picture of the week 16
Whether we were returning from an acclimation hike or arriving at our next new camp up the mountain, our team always had delicious roasted peanuts and freshly made popcorn waiting for us in the mess tent. Not only is this the tradition of the better organized outfitters but they are also two of my most favorite snacks.
My appetite disappeared the second day on the trail but I always ate the popcorn each day with the same enthusiasm that I carry at sea-level.
The other items on the table are; coffee, milk, tea, energy drink, sugar, honey and …
Date: April 16th, 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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