September 17, 2018

Classic sunrise shadow on Kilimanjarol (Greg Vernovage)

IMG Senior Guide Andy Polloczek called in last night (10pm Seattle / 8am Tanzania) from the summit of Kilimanjaro! He said the team had an excellent summit night. The weather was mostly clear with a slight breeze, but cold! The cold part shouldn’t be a surprise; summit day on Kilimanjaro, more often than not, is bone-chilling cold requiring a big down coat, big warm gloves and multiple pairs of socks…. hand & foot warmers are a nice touch too.

After celebratory photos on the summit, the team descended to High Camp, and on down to the thicker air at Millenium Camp (12,500ft).  They’ll have a few hours on the trail tomorrow but should be back at the hotel in Moshi for lunch and hot showers!

Tye Chapman

September 16, 2018

Kili on the hike to Barafu (Dustin Balderach)

Andy checked in from Barafu Camp on Kilimanjaro today. The team had a great day on the trail today and made it to High Camp in just a few hours. The team is feeling strong and looking forward to their summit attempt. The plan is to wake up at 11pm, have some coffee and a snack or two, then hit the trail between 11:30pm and midnight. If all goes as planned they’ll be standing on the summit tomorrow morning around 8am (Tanzania time).

All is well on Kilimanjaro!

Tye Chapman

September 15, 2018

IMG Guide Andy Polloczek checked in this morning (his evening) from Karanga Camp on Kilimanjaro. He said the team had a blast climbing the Barranco Wall and made it to Karanga Camp in good form this afternoon. They’ll move to high camp tomorrow. If all goes as planned they’ll try for the summit on Monday.

All is well at Karanga Camp!

Tye Chapman

September 14, 2018

“All is well at Barranco Camp” is the report I received by satellite phone from IMG Guide Andy Polloczek.  The team had another great day on the trail despite the snow/grauple/rain that shortened their lunch break at the Lava Tower (14,500ft.) this afternoon.

The team powered through the hiccup in the weather and are currently enjoying clear skies and beautiful views of Kilimanjaro from Barranco Camp 13,000ft.

Tomorrow takes the team up the famous Barranco Wall and then over to Karanga Camp (13,000ft).

Tye Chapman

September 13, 2018

Kili coming out of the clouds. (Photo by Kathy Harshbarger)

Andy checked in this morning (his evening) and reported that the team had another great day on the trail! They dodged the rain by just a few minutes today. “It poured just after we got to camp” is how Andy put it.  The clouds had already started to dissipate by the time they were heading to their tents for some shuteye.

Tomorrow they’ll leave Shira Camp (12,000ft.) and stay above the treeline making their way up to the Lava Tower (14,500ft) for lunch. They’ll surly be breathing hard at 14,500ft, but it’s incredible acclimatization. After lunch they’ll drop back down to Barranco Camp (13,000ft.). It’s a reasonably big day tomorrow, but this team is up for the challenge!

Tye Chapman