June 29, 2016

The team leaving on safari.

We spoke with Charlotte today from the Serengeti.  The safari has begun.  Biggest problem with the flight from Arusha was making sure the elephant weren’t too close to the runway as they landed.  It’s a bit of extra effort to go all the way out to the Serengeti but an airplane makes short work of the distance and being there makes it all worthwhile.  Charlotte said everyone’s totally psyched but definitely ready for another long night’s sleep.  The nervous anticipation of the climb is gone and now it’s all just fun.

Phil Ershler

June 28, 2016

Charlotte checked in this morning, Pacific time.  Word was that the team is back at their hotel in Moshi and they’re actually clean again.  No small feat!  All the climbing gear is now stuffed into one duffel bag that they won’t bother opening again until they’re home.

It’s time for their celebratory dinner, the award of summit certificates and some sleep.  Tomorrow morning is SAFARI TIME.  By the end of the day, they will have shopped in Arusha, flown out to the Seregenti, had a drink by the camp fire and probably already have spotted many of the Big Five.  I absolutely love the first day of safari.  A TON going on.

~Phil Ershler

June 25, 2016

Charlotte checked in from Karanga Camp (13,500’) after a beautiful day on Kilimanjaro.  Blue skies and warm weather for the team as they climbed through the Barranco Wall.  The team is feeling great and moving well; so well that they had lunch in camp!

Tomorrow is another short day in preparation for their summit attempt.  The team is moving into position and everything is looking great up high on the mountain!

Greg Vernovage

June 24, 2016

Anyone who is in the mountains long enough gets to celebrate a birthday up there.  I remember one of my birthdays spent on Denali at 11,000’ digging out of a snowstorm and sharing a Toblerone candy bar with my tent mate.

It is Charlotte Austin’s birthday today on Kilimanjaro at Barranco Camp (13,000’).  Charlotte and her Team had a fantastic day of trekking.  Blue skies all day.  Up to the Lava Towers where the Team had lunch and back down to Barranco Camp.  The Team saw tomorrows objective which is the Barranco Wall and are excited to get after it.

Charlotte was surprised with a birthday cake after dinner and told me that with the great weather today, everyone’s stuff is drying out.  Pretty good present to have dry gear.  The weather is looking good for the Team over the next few days.

Happy Birthday Charlotte!

Greg Vernovage

June 23, 2016

Shira Plateau (Greg Vernovage)

The Kilimanjaro Team broke out of the forest and onto the Shira Plateau today and the clouds parted.  This was their first look at the mountain this trip.

“We saw the mountain for the first time today.  It looks so fun!”  Charlotte checked in from the Shira Camp (12,000’) with relatively dry clothes.  They are all dried out and fed.  The menu for tonight?  Fried Chicken.  The plan for the night is to drink a ton of water and get ready for the up and down day tomorrow into Barranco Camp (13,000’).

Greg Vernovage