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

Setpember 25, 2019

IMG senior guide Harry Hamlin called on the sat phone to report that the team had a nice hike today up through the forest to Machame Camp (about 9,800 ft). He says the team members are all doing well and everything is going smoothly. They had a little rain along the way, but it cleared up later in the day and now the weather is looking good. Machame Camp is located right at treeline, and tomorrow they will leave the trees behind and enter the drier “heath zone” with giant heather plants and other strange flora. So far so good!

Eric Simonson

September 24, 2019

IMG senior guide Harry Hamlin reports from Moshi Tanzania that our September Kili team have all arrived with their luggage, and are doing well.  That’s the way we like to start a trip! Today they did gear checks and got their duffels packed and weighed. Then, they took a short drive to the city center for a stroll around downtown Moshi and a chance to see the local market and shops.

September Kilimanjaro team (Harry Hamlin)

The plan for tomorrow starts with a 7am breakfast and a 8am departure from the hotel, then an hour or so drive up to the Machame Gate trailhead (about 5800 ft). After going through the National Park permit formalities, they have a nice hike to look forward to, ascending up through the forest to the treeline. We’ll look forward to hearing from them tomorrow evening from the Machame Camp (about 9800 ft).

Eric Simonson