I have attached an extract of the diary entries (with some photos) I wrote while climbing Mt Kilimanjaro. Our trek began on the the 4th of March 2010. We started on the Machame route with a view to complete the full ascent and descent in 7 days.
Day 1
Day 1
We started off at 11:30AM from Machame gate, altitude 1800mtrs and spirits high. Our guide Hashim set a delibrately slow pace along a well treaded path through the thick rainforest. After a generous lunch of burger, chicken and bananas we continued. Hashim kept a closer eye on us after lunch but didn't enforce a slower pace until just before camp.
'Tomorrow more slowly', he said as we reached the Machame hut campsite (3000mtr).
As soon as camp was set up rain set in and the four of us (Jess, Paul, Chris & I) sat in the eating tent sharing our stories. Chris is a student from Sweden. He is young and enthusiatic about the climb, I think he will do well. Paul is my best mate from Australia, we don't get to catch up much and its great that he has come out to join Jess and I for Kili.
Dinner was generous - fish, patatoes, stew and vegetables. The rain stopped before sunset and the clouds cleared to reveal the summit, It looks so close, but it's still 5 days away.
Our porters helping with our bags. We had 9 porters in total
At the Machame entry gate
Jess and Chris into their tucker box
Day 1 destination
Mt Kili summit in the background
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