We returned from our amazing trip safely. Moss and I travelled to Moshi to meet Adam (Moss’s brother) and then to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro! After the 6 day climb we went to Zanzibar for a week of rest and relaxation.
This was a much needed vacation, and it was so much fun to have Adam in town. He was our first family member to come visit from the states. Moss and I had a blast showing him around and giving him a glimpse of what our life is like in TZ. However, he did see the rather safi side in that throughout the trip we stayed in relatively nice hotels with hot running water and electricity. Next time Adam will have to come down to Mtwara to get a better look at life as a Peace Corps Volunteer.
Adam arrived in Moshi the day prior to our climb at one in the morning. We spent the day walking around Moshi, enjoying the new city, and getting prepared for our adventure. We went to the tour office to rent the gear we did not have, but thanks to our parents, who sent a ton of warm clothes and hiking gear, we did not need to rent much. Moss and I rented hiking poles. I also needed hiking boots and Moss needed a small backpack. That evening we had a few drinks on the rooftop of our hotel, while looking out at the magnificently massive mountain in the distance.
The following day we got picked up by the tour company and met the rest of the hikers in our group. We initially thought it would only be us three hiking the mountain together, but we were pleasantly surprised that two young med students from the UK, Amy and Ranjit, joined our group. They both had great attitudes and were fun people to get to know.
A glimpse of our hiking experience:
Day 1: Machame Gate to Machame Camp (6,232 ft - 9,840 ft) ~8 miles
We arrive at Macheme gate and fill out paperwork and wait for our first day of hiking to begin. We wait for our luggage to be weighed and all the porters to be sorted out. It turns out we have ten porters, one guide, one assistant guide, one cook, and even a waiter... talk about safi hiking. We only have to carry one small pack with the items that we want for the day i.e. water, clif bars, extra warm clothes, and toilet paper. We hike for five hours on a well developed trail through a tropical rainforest. Once we arrive at camp our tents are already set up and shortly after we are served tea/coffee/hot chocolate and snacks, while the cooks continue preparing our gourmet feast of us delicious soup, potatoes, and salmon for dinner. (This is first time I have had salmon in a year!)
Day 2: On to Shira Camp (9,840 ft – 12,792 ft) ~6miles
It is surprisingly warm on day two, and most of us hike in shorts. We hike on narrow rocky ridges, which is a sharp contrast compared to the first day in the rainforest. We reach Shira camp in the afternoon, rest, have tea, and then have the choice to continue on for about an hour to visit the Shira camp ranger station in order to acclimatize a little. On the way to the station, we check out the Shira Cave, which was used by porters for sleeping and cooking back in the day. On the way to the station there is a clear view of Mount Meru and the western peaks of Kilimanjaro.
Day 3: On to Barranco Camp (12,792 ft – 12,956 ft) Highest Point was 15,120 ft ~7.5miles
It is a cold, foggy day in the clouds, but it’s amazing to see the clouds above and below you as you hike. On day three the landscape is what Adam calls ‘moonscape.’ There is no vegetation, just rocks and dust. We hike up to the Lava tower, have lunch, and attempt to get used to the altitude.
We then proceed to descend about 3,000 ft to our campsite. I have to admit, today was the first day I really struggle. It was unbearably cold up at the lava tower and I did not have enough clothes on, I thought my fingers might fall off, and then the climb down to camp was harder than I expected. Going down the mountain certainly proves to be harder than going up. Despite the cold and the light rain, I try to enjoy the views and look forward to reaching camp and drinking really hot, hot coco.
Day 4: On to Barrafu Camp (12,956 ft – 15,088 ft) ~6 miles
