Our trek started December 28th 1999 we woke up at 7 am showered in cold water
and brought our gear to the African Adventure offices and left for Kilimanjaro.
The ride to Machame Gate was about an hour, as soon as we drove up to the gate a
torrential downpour started. We rushed to pull out our rain gear as the porters
were trying to unload our bags. It was a little chaotic. The first encounter
with Kilimanjaro showed rumors to be true - the weather
is always unsettled - be prepared. There were many other groups also
preparing to begin their trek so the atmosphere was very lively even though the
rain was falling. As we drove in there was a group performing a dance with music
and an announcer - our bus driver did not hesitate to drive right into the group
in order to find a suitable parking spot.
We ate a nicely packed lunch under a shelter and went in small groups to register in order to begin the climb. Note that a passport number is necessary in order to register. Water bottles were given out at this point. I only took one since my backpack was already over stuffed. In hindsight it is best to take as much bottles as possible since they are scarce later on and are easier to fill than water skins. I managed to find a waterfall later on during our trek and refilled it.
The first day's climb was rough, mud and water pooled everywhere and although
the rain stopped soon after we started up the trail the mud was heavy all the
way. Those who wore
shorts were all muddied some sacrificed runners in order to keep their hiking
boots dry. Many of the porters ran up in only slippers falling many times.
I should note hear that I have great respect for the strength
and endurance of the porters. They did their job without any of the luxuries we
depended on such as rain coats, shoes or fleece. They hiked at twice our pace
and carried weight three times what we carried. It
took us 6 hours or more to get to Machame Camp at 7:30 pm. The sun was setting and
a few in our group did the last bit of trail in the dark. Some guides ran back
with lanterns to help them find the way. On a dry day this would have been a very easy
hike, there are a few steep points and most of the climb is very gradual.
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Jason posing in front of the Ambassadeur Hotel where we first stayed when arriving in Nairobi, Kenya. People were always around the hotel since there were bus stops on at least two corners of the hotel. Suffice to say we did not get much sleep evenings since the buses, (actually minivans) constantly honked their horns to announce their arrival. |
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Me with my two bags in tow. The temperature was warm but not humid the air is cool and very tropical with the scent of exotic plants. This picture was taken on December 26th on the way to board our bus to Arusha, Tanzania. |
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A shot of our Hotel in Nairobi. |
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Jason posing in front of our Bus headed towards Arusha. The ride is very bumpy because in many areas the road is partly washed away so the driver must constantly veer off to avoid large potholes which will surely ruin the bus. The bus is fully crammed and the isle is blocked by pull down seats. Get to the bus early - this insures you get a window seat which makes the ride a lot more enjoyable. |
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This is one of the pits stops just before the Kenyan/Tanzanian border. Yes Fanta does become addictive there - Of the two choices, Coke and Fanta, Fanta quickly becomes the favorite. |
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This picture is taken on the 28th of December at Machame Gate as the rain pours down the tarp behind my right shoulder holds all our bags and supplies. Our porters were amazing in the way they managed to carry it all up to camp. |
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Our group of fifteen starting off towards Machame camp. On the left are two porters loaded down with supplies. |
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A taste of some of the mud. |
