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| KILIMANJARO - SUMMIT OF AFRICA |
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| Click on thumbnail pic to enlarge |
| Horombo Hut |
| SloRide, Brad & Paolo |
| The Kili gang |
| Kilimanjaro, Tanzania; October 3-8, 1998 via the Marangu Route. We summited Uhuru peak just after 6 AM on October 7th, just as the sun was rising over the African savannah. Although I was dizzy, short of breath and very cold, the experience was incredible. Struggling against the intense cold, the oxygen-deprived delerium and nausea to the highest point in Africa was definitely one of the more difficult things that I have done in my life, but also one of the most rewarding. The trek established a powerful bond between the group of friends on the mountain that day - the Kili gang; Brad, Jeff, Paolo, Jen, Tanis & Geraldine. Awesome! |
| After the trek, off to Zanzibar to relax! |
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| Day 1 The day began cool, misty and early. The Marangu route trailhead was enshrouded in cloud and the quiet stillness in the air seemed unusual considering there were several expeditions packing up to depart on this morning. Briefly we met our porters who would carry most of our gear and food as far as Kibo Hut, our high camp, before they set off at a fast pace, balancing their heavy loads on their heads. We hiked in the clouds for about an hour before the sun first burned through. Here the trail was more of a dirt road with two distinct tracks worn into the soft soil in many places. We gently climbed the lower slopes of Kilimanjaro in the high plateau rain forest. The jungle here was still thick and dense and the trail obviously required regular maintenance to avoid being swallowed up by the encroaching foliage. In some places the gap in the trees above the trail that now displayed the bright blue morning sky would be completely lost behind the canopy of branches and vines and it felt like we were walking in a forested cavern. The constant music of a multitude of birds filled the air and occasionally a monkey or two would chatter from the tree tops high above. The insects were very few in number, which was a pleasant surprise for this part of the trail. But the mosquitoes that did show up were industrial strength and the size of hummingbirds! About two hours into the trek to our first night’s camp at Mandara Hut, the trees parted briefly to our left and we were afforded the first view of our goal. The distinctive snow-capped peak of Kilimanjaro framed by the deep blue African sky still looked far away, but just the sight of what we had come to conquer had us all giddy with anticipation. From a distance, the summit of Kilimanjaro resembles a wide, almost flat-topped dome rising alone out of the surrounding African savannah flaunting its volcanic origins. |
| KILIMANJARO - October 7, 1998 6:30 AM 5895m/19340ft The highest point in Africa. (top) Lucas, Paolo, Moot, Jeff, Brad (bottom) Rob, Tanis, Jen, Sophie. |
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| Zanzibar sunset |
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| Uhuru sunrise |
| To be continued... |
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