December 23, 2011
Hiking through the forest at the beginning of the Machame Route. (Photo by Eric SImonson)
After arriving in Moshi with all their gear (always a good way to start an expedition) the IMG December Kili team has now started up the mountain. Today they traveled by jeeps to the Machame trailhead (about 5900 ft), where they met their Chagga porter crew.
Today the climb is in the forest the entire way. Starting as a wide path down low with huge trees and monkeys, the route soon becomes a trail which climbs steadily, as the trees get smaller. Tonight they are at the Machame Camp (about 9,800 ft) which is at timberline, so hopefully they will catch their first close up views of the mountain..
Eric Simonson