September 30, 2019

IMG senior guide Harry Hamlin called on the sat phone from Mweka Camp (about 11,000 feet) to report that the Kili team had finished their descent and were all doing well, and that they had a perfect day for their climb to the Roof of Africa!  They started climbing at midnight and hit Stella Point (the crater rim) just as the sun was coming up.   Then, they continued on around the rim of the crater to the tippy tippy top, at Uhuru Peak.  Their descent went smoothly back down to Barafu where they had a nice rest and got packed up before continuing on down to the thick air at Mweka.

Tomorrow they will finish their descent down through the forest to the Mweka Gate where they will pay off the porters and get picked up for the drive down to the hotel in Moshi for a late lunch, showers and some beers (maybe not in that order).  In the evening the team will have a well-earned celebration dinner with their Chagga guides, and then the next morning they will be off to Serengeti for the safari.

Well done team!

Eric Simonson

September 29, 2019

Harry Hamlin reports that the team is ready to go for their summit bid!  They had a nice hike up to Barafu Camp today, at about 15,000 feet.  As planned, they got there in time for lunch and then had all afternoon to get packed and then get horizontal (lie down for rest!).  After an early dinner they were heading to bed, in preparation for starting the climb at midnight.  With a little luck, they should reach the summit right after sunrise and then have the remainder of the day to descend to the thick air down at Mweka Camp (about 11,000 feet)!  Harry says everyone is doing well and the weather looks to be cooperating.  Best wishes for the team on their big day tomorrow!

Eric Simonson

September 28, 2019

IMG guide Harry Hamlin reports that the team had another good day today, in and out of the clouds but no rain.  They started with a stiff climb up the Barranco Wall  (actually just a steep trail, where you need to use your hands in a

couple places).  Once out of the Great Barranco, they traversed below the Southern Glaciers of Kili, up and down through some interesting terrain, to the Karanga Camp.  This is a very spectacular part of the climb and was always one of my favorite days of the trip.  The Karanga Camp is about the same elevation as Barranco (both around 13,000 ft) so it’s a perfect day for acclimatization.   Everyone is doing well and they are looking forward to climbing up to Barafu Camp tomorrow.  The plan will be to get an early start so they can arrive there by lunchtime and have all afternoon to rest and prepare for the summit climb starting tomorrow night.  So far so good!

Eric Simonson

September 27, 2019

IMG Guide, Harry Hamlin, called on the sat phone to report that the Kili team had a gorgeous day today, with great views.  They ascended from their camp by the Shira Plateau all the way up to Lava Tower (over 14,600 ft) before dropping down into the Great Barranco (deep valley) and to the Barranco Camp (about 13,000 ft).  Along the way they saw some of the giant groundsels and lobelias which only live at high altitude in the tropics.  In the evening it’s fun to hike away from camp a little, and look down on to lights of Moshi and to the plains of Africa beyond, as the Southern Sky emerges.

Everyone is doing well and looking forward to the climb up the Barranco Wall tomorrow and then traversing around to the Karanga Valley and camp.

Eric Simonson

Setpember 26, 2019

IMG Guide, Harry Hamlin, called on the sat phone from Shira Camp (about 12,200 ft) to report that the Kili team is doing well. They had a nice hike today up through the giant heather plants, arriving at the camp in time for lunch.  They had a bit of rain this afternoon and were in and out of the clouds, but later it cleared up and they got their first close up views of Kilimanjaro.  Tomorrow the plan is to continue on to Barranco Camp.  Way to go, team, you are getting up on the mountain now!

Eric Simonson