Started on Kili just after climbing to Point Lenana (trekker's summit) on Mt. Kenya, so we had a head start on acclimatization. Machame route was great! It had plenty of variety in climbing conditions and scenic views.
The summit day was epic as you slog through the dust at night in order to find yourself surrounded by ice and snow at the summit at dawn. The summit push was the only really tough day as the altitude really started affecting everyone (12 of 17 in our group made the summit). Keep slow (pole pole) and anyone can make it. The views of Mawenzi and Meru from the top are more than worth the effort!
Travelled with KE Adventure and had a remarkable experience.
If you are even remotely thinking of taking this trip, DO IT! Just plunk down the money and go by yourself or with a group -- you will never ever forget it.
I was supposed to go with a friend, but one week before, we made an overnight stay at l'Aiguille du Midi (french alps), at refuge Simmond, and my friend got sick.
So I went alone.
One guide, four porters, and a 2 person tent for me alone !!!
This is something surprising about Kili: porters. You carry almost nothing, when you arrive at camp tents are set, dinner is ready... I can not say I really like that, I mean I am used to carry all I need myself (this ain't golf), but it is a very good and funny memory to enjoy a full course dinner (chicken with french fries and vegetables !!!) at camp at more than a 4.000m elevation !!
The route took 6 days. If you go slowly, it is not even tiring. (still, it tend sto get boring on the 4th day, you long for a true summint day).
I had an unusual weather: hail storm every afternoon, including one thunder storm in a complete whiteout on a plateau with bolts striking less than 200 m from you. Brrrr... spooky.
But this weather allowed me to have a summit day in a totally snowy Kibo. That is magical. Nothing but white. you feel like you are entering Paradise.
The sunrise above Mawenzi is an undescribable memory.
You can check my home page with pictures and 2 short MPGs at: http://geocities.com/jpdoumeyrou/
I wished I had more time to discover Tanzania (Meru, Ngorongoro...). People there are really cool and friendly.
Route Climbed: Shira Plateau and Western Breach Date Climbed: July 4, 2000
Summitted with my son Alessandro. Very nice route with virtually no people and nice acclimatization. The summit day (from the Arrow Glacier) is nice and easy, with some fun scrambling in the final part of the approach to the crater. From the crater, there is only one more hour to the top.
Route Climbed: Machame route Date Climbed: 25-12-1999 (X-mas morning)!
Just Beautiful!
White X-mas in Africa ;-} great mountain, take your time and don't rush up the coca cola route, just spend a few bucks and stay at least 7 days on the mountain, it is really worth it!
nphebel - Dec 2, 2001 9:04 am
Route Climbed: Machame Date Climbed: Feb 14, 2001Started on Kili just after climbing to Point Lenana (trekker's summit) on Mt. Kenya, so we had a head start on acclimatization. Machame route was great! It had plenty of variety in climbing conditions and scenic views.
The summit day was epic as you slog through the dust at night in order to find yourself surrounded by ice and snow at the summit at dawn. The summit push was the only really tough day as the altitude really started affecting everyone (12 of 17 in our group made the summit). Keep slow (pole pole) and anyone can make it. The views of Mawenzi and Meru from the top are more than worth the effort!
Travelled with KE Adventure and had a remarkable experience.
If you are even remotely thinking of taking this trip, DO IT! Just plunk down the money and go by yourself or with a group -- you will never ever forget it.
jpdoumeyrou - Oct 5, 2001 2:11 am
Route Climbed: Machame Date Climbed: feb 2001I was supposed to go with a friend, but one week before, we made an overnight stay at l'Aiguille du Midi (french alps), at refuge Simmond, and my friend got sick.
So I went alone.
One guide, four porters, and a 2 person tent for me alone !!!
This is something surprising about Kili: porters. You carry almost nothing, when you arrive at camp tents are set, dinner is ready... I can not say I really like that, I mean I am used to carry all I need myself (this ain't golf), but it is a very good and funny memory to enjoy a full course dinner (chicken with french fries and vegetables !!!) at camp at more than a 4.000m elevation !!
The route took 6 days. If you go slowly, it is not even tiring. (still, it tend sto get boring on the 4th day, you long for a true summint day).
I had an unusual weather: hail storm every afternoon, including one thunder storm in a complete whiteout on a plateau with bolts striking less than 200 m from you. Brrrr... spooky.
But this weather allowed me to have a summit day in a totally snowy Kibo. That is magical. Nothing but white. you feel like you are entering Paradise.
The sunrise above Mawenzi is an undescribable memory.
You can check my home page with pictures and 2 short MPGs at: http://geocities.com/jpdoumeyrou/
I wished I had more time to discover Tanzania (Meru, Ngorongoro...). People there are really cool and friendly.
dstruppa - Apr 15, 2001 7:15 am
Route Climbed: Shira Plateau and Western Breach Date Climbed: July 4, 2000Summitted with my son Alessandro. Very nice route with virtually no people and nice acclimatization. The summit day (from the Arrow Glacier) is nice and easy, with some fun scrambling in the final part of the approach to the crater. From the crater, there is only one more hour to the top.
7summits - Mar 30, 2001 2:46 am
Route Climbed: Machame route Date Climbed: 25-12-1999 (X-mas morning)!Just Beautiful!
White X-mas in Africa ;-} great mountain, take your time and don't rush up the coca cola route, just spend a few bucks and stay at least 7 days on the mountain, it is really worth it!
Check out the pictures and info on the 7 summits pages.
Keep climbing,
Harry