September 19, 2017

IMG Guide Dustin Balderach checked in from the hotel in Moshi, reporting all is well.  He and his team finished up the descent of their climb in good form, took some celebratory photos at the Mweka Gate, then jumped in the awaiting 4WD vehicles and we’re back at the hotel in no time.

Showers were first on the agenda, beers and cokes were a close second.  They were heading to our traditional Celebration Dinner when Dustin called. It sounds like this team absolutely crushed the climb.

Tomorrow, they’ll head to Arusha to catch their flight to the Serengeti. It’s time to kick back, relax and soak in the wildlife. Next check in from Dustin will be from the Serengeti.

Tye Chapman

September 18, 2017

Kilimanjaro Summit Pyramid (Greg Vernovage)

Dustin called in late last night to report that he and 100% if his team summited Kilimanjaro! More importantly, Dustin called in just a few minutes ago to report that everybody made it safely down to Mweka Camp. The air continues to get thicker from here on out!

Tomorrow, they’ll continue down the Mweka route to the Mweka gate to their awaiting 4WD vehicles that will take them back to the hotel for showers and the celebration dinner. Woo hoo!

One more day then it’s time to go on safari!

Tye Chapman

September 17, 2017

The team at Karanga Camp. (Dustin Balderach)

Dustin checked in from Barafu Camp (aka High Camp) at 15,000ft. on Kilimanjaro. He reports that the team crushed the last leg of the climb and are set and ready for summit day. They’ll wake up around midnight, eat some breakfast, and hit the trail. It’ll be a long day, but sunrise on the summit awaits.

The next time we hear from Dustin should be from the highest point in Africa!

Tye Chapman

September 16, 2017

Another great day on Kilimanjaro!  Dustin checked in by satellite phone this morning (Pacific Time) reporting that he and his team had a blast climbing the Barranco Wall today. It was nice and cool this morning with some good cloud cover which made for good climbing conditions. Once on top of the Barranco Wall the sky opened up giving them some great views.

When they pulled into Karanga Camp they were greeted by an amazing lunch. On the menu was fried chicken, french fries, a nice salad and some fresh watermelon.  After lunch it was time to settle in and take some photos. Dustin found a good signal and was able to get a good batch of photos out. Their view from Karanga Camp says it all!

Tomorrow they’ll get up at about 6:30am to get to Barafu Camp(15,000ft.) nice and early so they can get a good rest before summit day.

All is well at Karanga Camp on Kilimanjaro!

Tye Chapman

September 15, 2017

Hiking up to Lava Tower (Dustin Balderach)

Another great day on the trail, is how Dustin described today. He said this team is super strong which means they’re able to enjoy every aspect of the climb.  Two big highlights today, the Lava Tower and their sighting of the elusive Eland antelope.

At close to 8 hours, it was a long day on the trail, but it wasn’t a grind. Lots of ups and downs and plenty of open air trail up on top of the Shira Plateau. It’s nice to get above the trees and feel the breeze. Dustin did say they got their first real glimpse of Kili. It’s been cloudy the past few days which has kept the temperature down, but they’d been waiting for the big view of the mountain their climbing. They got one today.

Tomorrow is the favorite day of the climb for a lot our climbers. They’ll get to use their hands a little bit as they scramble up the Barranco Wall. It looks more ominous than it actually is (and sounds). For most climbers it’s a fun 1-2 hours of early morning scrambling.  Once on top of the wall the trail continues to Karanga Camp, their stop for the night.

All is well on Kilimanjaro!

Tye Chapman

September 14, 2017

The Zone Of Weird Plants is a very memorable place for a lot of Kilimanjaro climbers, and for this team it was no exception. Dustin said they took their time today, taking advantage of the good weather and any photo opportunity that presented itself.

Even with all the photo stops it took the team just under 5 hours to get to Shira Camp (12,000ft). Once at camp they were greeted with some drumsticks and popcorn as an afternoon snack. After getting settled in, more photos (and naps) were taken. On the menu tonight is spaghetti.

From the sounds of it, this team is having an absolute blast. Tomorrow, they’ll leave Shira Camp getting as high as 14,500ft. before dropping down to Barranco Camp at 13,000ft. This is a great day of hiking and a perfect acclimatization day which will set the team up for success in the coming days.

More tomorrow, but for now, all continues to go well in Tanzania!

Tye Chapman

September 13, 2017

IMG Senior Guide Dustin Balderach checked in from Machame Camp on Kilimanjaro reporting all is well!

As planned, the team hopped in the 4wd vehicles after breakfast for their drive through the coffee and banana farms to the Kilimanjaro Entrance Station which sits at about 6000ft. Once checked in they were officially climbing Kilimanjaro. Dustin said it was a cool and cloudy day which made for a nice trek up to Machame Camp (10,000ft). It took them about 5 hours to get to camp, but who’s keeping track of time when you’re surrounded by blue monkeys in a lush rain forest.  Once in camp they got settled in, as did the clouds. Cool and misty was Dustin’s weather report. Nice sleeping weather!

Tomorrow they’ll load up and climb out of the forest into the ‘zone of weird plants’ en route to the Shira Plateau Camp (12,000ft.).

All is well in Tanzania!

Tye Chapman

September 12, 2017

More good news from Tanzania. Dustin checked in again today to report that the team enjoyed a great (and efficient) day in Moshi. Gear checks & duffel bag weigh-ins went smoothly which allowed the team to explore Moshi a bit and take care of a few errands. What errands you ask, well they hit up the money exchange to pick up some Tanzanian shillings, then made their way to the grocery store, the local market, then had pizza for lunch and even snuck in a milkshake. The weather was nice and cool which was enjoyed by all.

They were on their way to dinner when Dustin called. On the menu was likely a burger & fries and maybe a Kilimanjaro Beer. Don’t worry, they’ve got all week to burn these calories.

After breakfast tomorrow they’ll head up to the Machame Gate to start their climb!

Tye Chapman