Day 5: Ascend to Machame Camp
MOUNTAIN ROUTE OVERVIEW
Our group will start climbing after registering in the National Park’s Climber Log and eating lunch. They’ll start hiking on a forest road through the rain forest – which is why it’s wet and humid climate where they start climbing. To the right and left of the road are Mount Kilimanjaro’s giant red germs and impatiens. The path will get narrower and steeper as it winds through the rainforest. After another hour of hiking, the landscape will start changing as they enter the moorland zone and approach their first camp. Upon arriving at camp, porters will welcome them with a tent that’s already pitched and hot tea with biscuits. After resting, they’ll debrief about the following day’s climb and eat dinner. If the weather is good, they’ll see a beautiful sunset and catch a glimpse of the first snow-capped peak of Kibo!!
MOUNTAIN ROUTE STATS
Starting elevation 6,000 feet
Ending elevation 9,900 feet
Elevation gain 3,900 feet
Distance hiked 6 miles
Average hiking time 6 to 7 hours
JOURNAL ENTRY BY STEVE JOHNSON
Yesterday we traveled from Legho Village (an amazing experience) back to Arusha and the Mt. Meru Hotel (home base for this trip).
On the bus we four SAEs had an informal meeting and decided we are going to petition “National” to charter the Kilimanjaro Kappa Chapter of
Sigma Alpha Epsilon. I nominate Johnny Vrba as Eminent Archon because of his eternal optimism, his excitement with every new day and his boundless energy.
I posted our request on the SAE Kilimanjaro text stream for the brothers at “National.” The request was promptly denied by our brother at home, who suggested we sober up.
When we got the hotel we had to get to our rooms and prepare for “gear check.” Grant Alderman “the Intern” brought around our rental gear.
Then Grant introduced us to our guides Samia and Ahi. We literally had to completely unload the gear and everything was counted and inspected to assure that we were properly prepared for the challenges, conditions and weather on Kilimanjaro.
Ahi gave me a failing grade on gloves, but Drew loaned me a pair that would work. These guides are very serious about safety.
Before supper we had a meeting with Drew and our guides Samia and Ahi. The guides talked about safety and hygiene. We were given these rules:
Rule 1. Listen to the guides.
Rule 2. Listen to the guides.
Rule 3. Listen to the guides.
Rule 4. Walk Slowly. “Pole Pole” in Swahili.
Rule 5. Don’t freak out.
When in doubt you are to refer to rules 1 - 3.
There was a conversation that could be desribed as “TMI” (too much information). Samia said that “jimba” is a fact of life on Kilimanjari. Jimba being gas,
don’t hold it in to avoid stomach idsues. Thid rule is Flatulence is Always Released in Tanzania - F.A.R.T. The other rule: if you’re in your tent, rustle the flaps and share it with the camp. I gave Samia some insight into being an old man and trusting a jimba.
We had a great dinner on the patio by the pool with great convesations and laughs. Then headed to our rooms to prepare for our adventure
This morning after breakfast we
loaded up our gear on the bus and headed to Moshi and Machami Gate elevation 5,700 feet. After registering with the
park service we were treated to a huge lunch of cucumber soup, roasted chicken, guacamole, fried potatoes, bread and watermelon.
At 1:30 PM after our duffles had been weighed and approved we were allowed through the gate to begin our ascent toward Mechame Camp our first stop on Kilimanjaro.
We hiked along trails that were covered with shade from forestry
with an occassional glimpse of the sun and the summit of Kilimanjaro. These trails are very well groomed and maintained.
After 6 grueling hours of climbing up, up and up with our guides patiently reminding us “pole pole” we arrived at Mechame Camp elevation 9,800 feet. This was a 4,100 foot elevation gain. My Fitbit reads 21,024 steps, 9.5 miles, and 322 floors. It’s suppose to only be 7 miles but my legs say more.
It was dark when we arrived and
the camp was covered with what
seemed like hundreds of tents lit up all over the jungle. This was an amazing sight to see so much activity. We had to register at a camp office.
When we arrived our tents were set up and there was hot drinks and popcorn to greet us in the mess tent. Supper was ready shortly after arriving and there was hot soup, country fried steaks (African style), rice, potatoes, break and a dessert of fried banana rolled inside a toasted tortilla. During supper we had great conversations and I can’t remember laughing so hard at how much panic and chaos one little jimba could cause. (Johnny did it!). Then it was bedtime.
Before finally cllosing I just want to comment on how awsome the guides and porters perform. They are friendly, patient, kind, helpful, unbelievably strong, quick to smile and love to laugh. My personal Thank you to Samia and Michael for helping this old man up the hill.
(Phi Alpha)