December 23, 2019
December 2019 Kilimanjaro Holiday Team at the hotel, ready to start (Phunuru Sherpa)
IMG senior guide, Phunuru Sherpa, reports from Moshi, Tanzania that our annual Holiday Kilimanjaro Climb and Safari trip is on the launch pad, ready to start. Yesterday the team did their equipment checks, packed and weighed their duffel bags, and also took a side trip into town to visit the local market and stroll around. The weather is good and everyone is excited to hit the trail.
Next up for the Team is the ride from Moshi (about 2800 ft) up to the Machame Gate (about 5900 ft) where they will do the National Park formalities (signing in, check permits, etc). Then, it’s time to start hiking! With our Chagga porters and cooks joining them, they will be completely self-sufficient for the next 7 days, as they ascend the Machame Route and descend the Mweka Route.  Destination for Day 1 of the climb is the Machame Camp (about 9900 ft). The hike will take them up through the dense forest zone that encircles the lower mountain. Machame Campsite is right at the treeline, with peekaboo views of the summit emerging through the trees. Have fun up there!
Eric Simonson