September 22, 2026

Max Bond checked in and sent some photos from the summit climb yesterday.  The team was in the clouds for most of the way, but once they reached Stella Point on the crater rim, it was perfectly clear! 

This morning the team enjoyed a nice hike down from Millenium Camp to Mweka Camp, then down through the forest to the Mweka Gate.  Once back at the gate they tipped all the Chagga porters and then piled into the mini-bus for the trip back to Moshi for some well deserved showers and cold beer!

Tonight the team is having a team dinner with their Chagga guides.  Tomorrow morning some of the team members will head to the airport for the flight to Serengeti Park, and the 4 day / 3 night safari.  Well done team, best wishes for the next adventure!

Looking down the trail from near Stella Point at sunrise with another team coming up (Max Bond)

Looking across the crater from Stella Point with Uhuru Peak up above (Max Bond)

September Kili climbers at Uhuru Peak (Max Bond)

Guereza Colobus Monkeys in the trees on the way down from Kilimanjaro (Max Bond)

September 21, 2026

IMG leader Max Bond reports that 100% of the team reached Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa  (19,341 feet, 5,895 metres)!  They started climbing at midnight and reached Stella Point on the crater rim at dawn.  From there it was another 40 minutes to the highest point, Uhuru Peak. On the way down the team stopped at Barafu Camp for a nice rest break before continuing down to the Millenium Camp at about 12,000 feet where the team had the camp all set up for them.  After a good sleep in the thick air, they will get up early and hit the trail for the remainder of the descent down the Mweka Route.  Well done team!

Looking across the crater from Uhuru (Phunuru Sherpa)

Looking west at sunrise with Kili’s shadow and Meru Peak (Phunuru Sherpa)

Traversing the crater rim from Stella Point to Uhuru Peak (Phunuru Sherpa)

September 19, 2026

Barafu Camp is on the skyline ridge (Max Bond)

Kili from Barafu Camp (Ang Jangbu)

On the trail to Barafu Camp (Max Bond)

Max Bond reports that the team made it up to Barafu Camp (15,000 feet) in good shape and are doing well.  They enjoyed a nice cooked lunch from our Chagga cook team, then spent the afternoon resting, hydrating, and preparing for tomorrow.  After an early supper it was time to hit the sleeping bags. Their plan is to be up at 11pm and walking at midnight.  Best wishes to the team!

September 19, 2026

Steep trail on the climb out of the Barranco valley (Max Bond)

Sunset at Karanga Camp with Mt Meru in the distance (Max Bond)

The team at Barranco Camp looking up at the Breach Wall (Max Bond)

The team at the viewpoint above Barranco looking up at the Southern Glaciers (Max Bond)

Looking up at the summit from Karanga Camp (Max Bond)

Max reports that the team had a great day today.  The weather cleared up nicely and there was a little snow up near the summit from the rain yesterday.  After departing the Barranco Camp at 13,000 feet the team ascended the steep trail up the Barranco Wall to the gorgeous viewpoint below the Southern Glaciers (or what is left of them).  From there the trail is up and down as it traverses what is one of the most spectacular parts of the entire climb, finally reaching the Karanga Camp which is also about 13,000 feet.  Great acclimatization!  This puts them in perfect position for an easy day tomorrow up to the Barafu high camp at about 15,000 feet.  The plan is reach that in time for lunch so they have all afternoon to rest and prepare for the summit day.  All’s well on Kilimanjaro!

September 18, 2026

Max Bond reports that today was challenging, as they hit new personal altitude records for most of the team and they also had some rain in the afternoon. The day started sunny as they departed Shira Camp, but along the way clouds filled in.  At about 14,000 feet the trail forks, with the porters and camp staff taking the low trail with the duffel bags and camping gear, and the guides and climbers taking the high trail up to the Lava Tower at over 14,500 feet. This is great acclimatization…”climb high, sleep low”.  After a lunch break at Lava Tower the climbers along with Max, Kassim, and our Chagga guides descended down into the Great Barranco (valley) where the camp is located at about 13,000 feet, hitting the rain along the way.  Tomorrow the team will climb the steep trail out of the Barranco valley and continue their traverse around the south side of Kilimanjaro, heading for Karanga, also about 13,000 feet.  It’s all part of the formula to ensure that the team will be well acclimatized and ready when it comes time to go to the summit!

Departing Shira Camp (Ang Jangbu)

Lava Tower (Max Bond)

Descending into the Barranco valley from Lava Tower (Max Bond)

Arriving Barranco Camp (Ang Jangbu)

September 17, 2026

Today the team departed the forest zone just above the Machame Camp and tackled the rugged terrain leading up to the Shira Plateau.  Now they are in the alpine moorland zone, with the peculiar plants that only exist in this area. The trail is steep and rocky, and the views just keep getting better with the ascent!

The Shira plateau is the remnant of an old volcanic event at about 12,000 feet.  Max Bond reports the team got to camp in time for a nice lunch, and this afternoon they will explore some of the nearby caves, taking it slow and easy.  This is a perfect elevation for acclimatization!

Departing Machame with Kilimanjaro behind (Max Bond)

The team at Machame Camp (Max Bond)

Giant heather and groundsel plants on the way to Shira Camp (Ang Jangbu)

On the way to Shira Camp (Max Bond)

September 16, 2026

Max Bond reports that the crew had a nice hike today, and everyone is ensconced at Machame Camp.  After driving to the park entrance station at Machame Gate, they got checked in with the rangers, connected with our local Chagga team, and then started the climb.  The first day is almost entirely in the forest, with some peekaboo views and monkeys along the way.  Then, at about 9,500 feet, the trees start to thin out and are replaced by the first of the high-altitude tropical species, like the giant heather plants.  Soon the camp comes into view, and from there the summit is visible!  The team had the tents all set up for them, and they soon enjoyed a fresh home cooked meal from our great cooks.  All’s well on Kilimanjaro!

The sign at Machame trailhead (Max Bond)

Machame Camp (Max Bond)

Heading up into the forest from Machame Gate (Eric Simonson)

Monkey in a tree (Max Bond)

September 15, 2026

IMG lead guide Max Bond reports from Moshi, Tanzania that the Kili team have all arrived with their luggage, so they are off to a good start.  Today they all got together to review the trip, get packed up and weigh out the duffel bags for the porters. Later in the day they took a drive into the heart of Moshi to visit the market area of the town, with all the street vendors and general hubbub that goes with it. 

The plan for tomorrow is an early breakfast, and then a beautiful drive up through coffee, tea, and banana farms on the lower slopes of Kilimanjaro to the Machame Gate and trailhead at about 6000 feet.  After getting checked in with the Park Rangers, this is where the climb will begin. Tomorrow the team will ascend nearly 4000 feet up through the forest zone to the Machame Camp at treeline.  So far so good!

The summit of Kilimanjaro rises above Moshi (Max Bond)

September Kili team in Moshi (Max Bond)