Monday, 12 September 2011
Txt msg from Faye
Good morning from the Kilimanjaro mountain lodge! All well here, just had breakfast and managed to walk back to the room...just. Packing all bags now, off to look round local town Moshi later, then straight to the airport for flight to Nairobi. Fx
Monday September 12th - Day 10!
Marangu
Today we have free time to explore Marangu either independently or on an optional tour, before departing for the UK on an overnight flight to London via Nairobi.
Nearly home...
Sunday, 11 September 2011
Txt msg from Faye
Hello! Yes, its me back from the summit & kibo huts & down to horombo huts, no phone signal above alt 3700m. So last night was summit night & I'm sorry to say that I missed the summit by 500m. Team medic sent me back down the mountain after diagnosing me with alt sickness at 5300m. Disappointed (naturally) having got so close, but 5300m was my personal kilimanjaro summit! I said a prayer to Andy before starting the 3hr decent with my two porters. Thank you all for you continued well wishes & prayers. These experience has been more than I could have ever imagined in so many ways. Can't wait to see you. Much love fx
Saturday, 10 September 2011
Sunday September 11th - Day 9!
Day 9
Horombo Hut - Marangu
Approximately 6-7 hrs trekking
After breakfast we prepare for our trek back down to Marangu Park Gate. this will be rapid and withing three an half hours we will reach Mandara Hut and after a further three hours anda brief lunch stop we reach the Park Gate and cross the finish line marking the end of the trek. We then transfer to our hotel where we relax for the afternoon to rebalance and rest our aching limbs. Tonight we will toast our achievements on this incredible adventure with a special celebratory meal together.
Horombo Hut - Marangu
Approximately 6-7 hrs trekking
After breakfast we prepare for our trek back down to Marangu Park Gate. this will be rapid and withing three an half hours we will reach Mandara Hut and after a further three hours anda brief lunch stop we reach the Park Gate and cross the finish line marking the end of the trek. We then transfer to our hotel where we relax for the afternoon to rebalance and rest our aching limbs. Tonight we will toast our achievements on this incredible adventure with a special celebratory meal together.
Saturday September 10th - Day 8!
Day 8
The Summit
Approximately 15-17 hours trekking
Today we will reach the 'Roof of Africa' as we trek to teh summit to encouter a magnificent sunrise.
We start just after midnight to embark on a very slow strenuous ascent up the steepest and most difficult part of the challenge to Gilman's Point, perched on the crater rim at an altitude of 5,685m (18,655ft). From here we will rest to watch the sun begin to rise and take in the stunning view. At this point everyone will qualify to have climbed Kilimanjaro so we can congratulate ourselves on a truly amazing achievement!
Those who wish to return to Kibo Hut can do so at this point, or there is an option to continue for a further two hours through snow and wind to Uhuru Peak at 5,895m (19,342ft) This can be extremely cold with temperatures dropping well below freezing. At the top we are treated to incredible views of hte world beneath us - on a clear day we may even see Mount Kenya.
Once rested we begin the gradual descent over difficult scree sections to Kibo Hut before continuing to Horomobo Hut to rest and spend the night.
The Summit
Approximately 15-17 hours trekking
Today we will reach the 'Roof of Africa' as we trek to teh summit to encouter a magnificent sunrise.
We start just after midnight to embark on a very slow strenuous ascent up the steepest and most difficult part of the challenge to Gilman's Point, perched on the crater rim at an altitude of 5,685m (18,655ft). From here we will rest to watch the sun begin to rise and take in the stunning view. At this point everyone will qualify to have climbed Kilimanjaro so we can congratulate ourselves on a truly amazing achievement!
Those who wish to return to Kibo Hut can do so at this point, or there is an option to continue for a further two hours through snow and wind to Uhuru Peak at 5,895m (19,342ft) This can be extremely cold with temperatures dropping well below freezing. At the top we are treated to incredible views of hte world beneath us - on a clear day we may even see Mount Kenya.
Once rested we begin the gradual descent over difficult scree sections to Kibo Hut before continuing to Horomobo Hut to rest and spend the night.
Thursday, 8 September 2011
Friday September 9th - Day 7!
Day 7
Acclimitisation day - approximately 5 hours trekking
Today is anotehr acclimatisation day to get used to the even higher altitude we will have now reached. We trek halfway to Williams Point at approximately 5,000m before returning to Kibo Hut where we will spend the remainder of the day resting to prepare for tomorrow's ascent to the summit.
Acclimitisation day - approximately 5 hours trekking
Today is anotehr acclimatisation day to get used to the even higher altitude we will have now reached. We trek halfway to Williams Point at approximately 5,000m before returning to Kibo Hut where we will spend the remainder of the day resting to prepare for tomorrow's ascent to the summit.
Thursday September 8th - Day 6!
Horombo Hut - Kibo Hut; approximately 7-8 hours of trekking
This morning we set off through spectacular mountain flora and fauna including giant cacti and lobelia. We reach the Kibo saddle where we stop for a picnic lunch from where we can see our destination - Kibo Hut.
After lunch the ascent takes us beyond the water point as we enter the desert zone. This section will be touch and slow-going, as well as cold due to the high altitude. After a challenging climb we reach an altitude of 4,732m (15,525ft) before arriving at Kibo Hut where we sleep at 4,700m.
This morning we set off through spectacular mountain flora and fauna including giant cacti and lobelia. We reach the Kibo saddle where we stop for a picnic lunch from where we can see our destination - Kibo Hut.After lunch the ascent takes us beyond the water point as we enter the desert zone. This section will be touch and slow-going, as well as cold due to the high altitude. After a challenging climb we reach an altitude of 4,732m (15,525ft) before arriving at Kibo Hut where we sleep at 4,700m.
Wednesday, 7 September 2011
Wednesday September 7th - Day five!
Acclimatisation day...approximately 5 hours trekking!
Today is an acclimitisation day where we will walk to a point higher than Horombo Hut before descending back to camp to rest for the remainder of the day. This is a tried and tested acclimatisation practise which will help our bodies to adjust to the altitude. We will reap the benefits from this later on in the trek.
We will set off after breakfast and head along the upper Kibo trail through rocky mountain vegetation to 'Zebra Rock' at an altitude of 4,000m. From here we continue to an observation point at 4,200m (13,780ft) to experience spectacular view of Kibo Hut, the twin peaks and the trail to the summit. We then return back to camp for lunch and time to be build strength for the days ahead.
Today is an acclimitisation day where we will walk to a point higher than Horombo Hut before descending back to camp to rest for the remainder of the day. This is a tried and tested acclimatisation practise which will help our bodies to adjust to the altitude. We will reap the benefits from this later on in the trek.
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| The trail up Kibo is just visible in the middle of the photo |
Monday, 5 September 2011
Tuesday September 6th - Day four!
Mandara Hut - Horombo Hut
Approximately 7-8 hours trekking
We start early today as we have a long trek ahead of us. The route takes us along the uphill trail through forest and across heath and moorland. The surrounding landscape takes on a more rugged and rocky terrain and in the distance we are treated to fantastic view of the magnificient peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo.
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| Mawenzi |
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| The saddle area between Mawenzi and Kibo |
As we continue to climb steadily, we pass through the cloud level up to today's highest point at 3,761m before arriving at our overnight stop, Horombo Hut at 3,700m (12,138ft).
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| Horombo Huts above the clouds |
Sunday, 4 September 2011
Monday September 5th - Day three!
Day 3
Marangu Gate - Mandara Hut
(approximately 4-5 hours trekking)
Following breakfast, we will have a detailed briefing from the tour manager, guides and trek doctor to ensure everyone is fully prepared and ready to begin the trek. We then set off to the start point at the Marangu Park Gate entrance.
After completing the necessary formalities, we start our ascent.
The trail weaves through dense forest, filled with the noises of chatting Colobus monkey. We are also surrounded by an incredible variety of towering trees, giant ferns and beautiful wild forest flowers. En route we stop for a picnic lunch to rest and recharge our batteries for the afternoon's hike.
We continue our gentle ascent along the rain forest dirt trail climbing to an altitude of 2,744m before dropping to reach Mandara Hut. This will be our overnight stop where we sleep at an altitude of 2,700m (9,000 feet).
Time permitting there will also be a short trek from the hut to the Maundi Crater.
Marangu Gate - Mandara Hut
(approximately 4-5 hours trekking)
Following breakfast, we will have a detailed briefing from the tour manager, guides and trek doctor to ensure everyone is fully prepared and ready to begin the trek. We then set off to the start point at the Marangu Park Gate entrance.
After completing the necessary formalities, we start our ascent.
The trail weaves through dense forest, filled with the noises of chatting Colobus monkey. We are also surrounded by an incredible variety of towering trees, giant ferns and beautiful wild forest flowers. En route we stop for a picnic lunch to rest and recharge our batteries for the afternoon's hike.
We continue our gentle ascent along the rain forest dirt trail climbing to an altitude of 2,744m before dropping to reach Mandara Hut. This will be our overnight stop where we sleep at an altitude of 2,700m (9,000 feet).
Time permitting there will also be a short trek from the hut to the Maundi Crater.
Sunday September 4th - Day two!
Day 2
Arrive Kilimanjaro
We arrive in Tanzania and transfer to our hotel in the village of Marangu, 2km from the park entrance.
This afternoon we have free time to relax and acclimatise in preparation for the adventure ahead.
This evening we will enjoy a welcome dinner after which we will hear more about what to expect from the challenge.
Tonight we sleep at an altitude of 1,800m (5,906 feet).
Accomodation for the first night - Nakara Hotel in the Marangu Village.
Arrive Kilimanjaro
We arrive in Tanzania and transfer to our hotel in the village of Marangu, 2km from the park entrance.
This afternoon we have free time to relax and acclimatise in preparation for the adventure ahead.
This evening we will enjoy a welcome dinner after which we will hear more about what to expect from the challenge.
Tonight we sleep at an altitude of 1,800m (5,906 feet).
Accomodation for the first night - Nakara Hotel in the Marangu Village.
Saturday, 3 September 2011
Saturday September 3rd - Day one!
Day 1
London to Kilimanjaro
Overnight night flight from London Heathrow to Kilimanjaro via Nairobi with Kenyan Airways.
Leaving London tonight 8pm on Saturday and arriving at Kilimanjaro tomorrow, Sunday September 4th at 9am (local time)
Now the fun begins!
London to Kilimanjaro
Overnight night flight from London Heathrow to Kilimanjaro via Nairobi with Kenyan Airways.
Leaving London tonight 8pm on Saturday and arriving at Kilimanjaro tomorrow, Sunday September 4th at 9am (local time)
Now the fun begins!
Thursday, 1 September 2011
Exclusive video footage (with full sound this time!)
I'll be uploading the video (with full sound this time!) very shortly...
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