Our Adventure Consultants team will be climbing the mountain by the picturesque Machame Route which traverses several of the scenic micro-environments found at the different elevations on the mountain.
Dispatches - Adventure Consultants Private Kilimanjaro Expedition 2016 #2
This private expedition will be running from August 22 to 30, 2016.
Expedition Members:
Guides - Edward Seth Mollel and Respicious Baitwa
Team Members:
Mark Smith, UK
Joshua Smith, UK
23 August 2016- Exploring Arusha
Yesterday Mark and Joshua safely arrived into Arusha from Kenya and enjoyed their first night at the luxurious Legendary Lodge.
Today, following a leisurely breakfast and day in Arusha, their guide Edward came to the lodge for the all-important team briefing. Edward discussed plans for the trek and checked equipment and clothing, prior to heading off to the mountain tomorrow.
24 August 2016 - Trekking Begins
Today the trek begins in earnest and Mark and Joshua departed early for the Machame Gate, the official start point of the trek. Upon arrival, the team checked in with the park authorities before starting the trek up through the rainforest zone.
Nearing lunchtime, Mark and Joshua arrived at a spot to find the Nature Discovery team had set-up lunch, complete with a table and chairs! After lunch, it was an easy trek into the heather zone, where Machame Camp is located at 3,000m and where our amazing porter team had erected the camp for the night.
25 August 2016 - To Shira Cave
The team awoke to their first morning on the mountain and after a sumptuous breakfast, set out to trek to Shira Camp, located at 3,740 metres. The landscape has changed immensely from the first day of trekking through the rainforest, and is now quite stark in comparison, now that the team is in the moorland zone. Today saw the team trekking for 5-6 hours with a lunch stop and the opportunity to take in the amazing views, now that they are gaining elevation. Upon arrival into Shira Camp, the snows of Kilimanjaro become immediately evident for the first time.
26 August 2016 - Barranco Camp
Today the team set off for Barranco Camp, first crossing the flat Shira Plateau before gaining height and heading to the Lava Tower, located at 4,630m. It is here that they will stop for lunch before descending slightly and proceeding to Barranco Camp at 3,900m. The trek takes them out of the moorland zone and into the high alpine zone, distinctive for its Senecio plants for which Kilimanjaro is famous.
From Barranco Camp the trek normally moves onto Karanga Camp, however, given how fit and well acclimatised Mark and Joshua are they plan to move directly onto Barafu Camp at 4,600m tomorrow in preparation for an early summit bid.
27 August 2016 - Moving Fast!
Today the team continued across the slopes of the upper mountain past Karanga Camp (4,200m) and onwards to Barafu Camp (4,600m). It is from here that they will prepare for their summit bid in the early hours of tomorrow morning. The plan is to leave around 5am and summit late morning.
28 August 2016 - Summit A Day Early!
Mark and Joshua reached the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro (5,895m) at 10.20am this morning! This is a day ahead of schedule, a reflection of their high level of fitness and the flexibility of travelling in a small group!
Following their summit the team descends past Barafu Camp down to Mweka, making for a long day! It is anticipated that they will return to Arusha tomorrow enjoying the success of summiting one of the world's coveted Seven Summits!
29 August 2016 - Return to Arusha
Today Mark and Joshua trekked down off the mountain and returned to the comforts of Legendary Lodge in Arusha. Congratulations on your summit from all of the crew at the AC Office!
