MOUNT KILIMANJARO
Yikes. This experience had been on our bucket list for years. When we made the decision to leave our jobs and pursue long term travel, this was at the top of our list. We went back and forth for over a year before finalizing our booking. Should we do it? Is it too dangerous? About 10 people die every year from the climb. Annie was the hero in making the final decision. When Adam was hesitant, she drove us forward and we wired our deposit to a bank account in Tanzania.
While this is often times reported to be an "easy" climb, we found that this was the hardest physical experience that either one of us has ever had. We summited during the worst storm that the mountain has seen in over a decade. Snow, sleet, dangerous wind, sub-zero temperatures, thunder, and lightning - it was truly wild. Only a third of hikers made it up that night and 2 people (not in our group) passed away.
Check out our KILIMANJARO video...
Stories
If you have time for only one, read Day 7: Midnight Trek to the Summit
ITINERARIES
Treks to the summit range from 5-11 days. There are a variety of routes. We took the Lemosho Route. For a great company with stellar people, check out Kili-Treks. Our day-by-day itinerary is below:
- DAY 0: Briefing and Equipment Check. Chagga Village Tour
- Day 1: 2-hour trek. Londerossi Gate (7,500 ft) to Forest Camp (9,500 ft)
- DAY 2: 5-hour trek. Forest Camp (9,500 ft) to Shira I Camp (11,500 ft)
- DAY 3: 7-hour trek. Shira I Camp (11,500 ft) to Moir Camp (13,800 ft)
- DAY 4: 5-hour trek. Moir Camp (13,800 ft) to Lava Tower (15,200 ft) to Barranco Camp (13,000 ft)
- DAY 5: 4-hour trek. Barranco Camp (13,000 ft) to Karanga Camp (13,100 ft)
- DAY 6: 3-hour trek. Karanga Camp (13,100 ft) to Barafu Camp (15,300 ft)
- DAY 7: 15-hour trek. Barafu Camp (15,300 ft) to Uhuru Peak (19,341 ft) to Mweka Camp (10,100 ft)
- DAY 8: 4-hour trek. Mweka Camp (10,100 ft) to Mweka Gate (6,000 ft)
Gallery
Where did we go next?