AFRICA: Climbing Kilimanjaro & Safari - July 2023

 We are taking a route called The Northern Circuit. It is 9 days to complete but this allows time for the body to acclimate to the altitude, hence the best chance of being able to summit. It has a 95% success rate. The route starts on the west side of Kibo (the actual name of the Kilimanjaro mountain), then winds east around the north side of the mountain. There are huts-campsites spaced a days hike apart as you ascend to the last site called Kibo Hut (15,000 ft). This is the point where climbers get ready for the night hike to Uhuru summit (19,341 ft).  At 15,000ft you can't sleep anyway so you start at 11pm or midnight. It's only 4km but you have no strength due to low oxygen. It's very steep and very cold (below freezing). The moorlands is compromised of thick brush with a few unusual plant unique to Kilimanjaro. There is no animal life for a few ravens.  Nice trail with some other hikers We stopped for a short break. Robert, our lead guide, was always telling us to ea...

After a long drive to our starting point we are getting ready to start the first day of hiking. The bus ride drove through the countryside and small villages. All the gear was on top and the entire crew: 3 climbers (Jan-Mark, Pierre- O, me), 2 guides, our cook, and over 10 porters who would be carrying our 30 lb duffel bags as well as tents, sleeping bags, cooking equipment and food (water is collected at each camp). After a long drive to our starting point we are getting ready to start the first day of hiking. The bus ride drove through the countryside and small villages.  All the gear was on top and the entire crew: 3 climbers (Jan-Mark, Pierre- O, me), 2 guides, our cook, and over 18 porters who would be carrying our 30 lb duffel bags as well as tents, sleeping bags, cooking equipment and food (water is collected at each camp) After a box lunch and our lead guide getting us registered we unceremoniously started up a smooth dirt trail. About 6 other groups were also starting that...