Day 3: Climb 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
Mambo Poa!!
After a great night's rest, one last shower, a final gear check, and another amazing breakfast (do not sleep on the chilis in your omlelette and the fresh papaya and mango), we are a little anxious and excited. Papa Deo gathered us together for a song and prayed over us for our journey. We took a few wedding pictures while we were still fresh which will make for an interesting contrast 6 days from now. Roel led us in our first official count off - 18 of us will be climbing the mountain and if it works for keeping track of Kindergarteners it should work for us... I AM NUMBER 4 (both my number and and a reference for our young adult readers). We load up the bus for the two hour ride to Machame Gate.
A quick pitstop at the Tanzanian qwick-e-mart, which sold both water and 972,000 Tanzanian Shilling TVs , and we are back on the road to the Machame gate. We met out full crew of 70 team members, had a quick lunch, and started the hike to Machame camp. The hike from the gate to the camp starts in the rainforest and ends in the heather zone. While it is not the rainy season, the rainforest lived up to its name by producing a sudden torrential downpour that had us scrambling for our rain gear. Re-outfitted, we continued the climb. The weather cleared and we were greatest with amazing views of the mountain while we walked into and out of the clouds. Calabasas Monkeys, roots the size of trees, and many a porter carrying twice the weight we carried motored right on by us. Our guides telling us pole pole - slow down to help us get used to the altitude changes, which gave us all more time to get to know each other.
In the first day, we started at 5,800 feet and ended above 9,800. By my count it was 22,500 steps, over 8 miles, and 4,000 feet in 6-7 hours that felt like a lot less thanks to great company and conversation.
The camp was ready for us when we arrived and our team knew us all by name. After a quick orientation we set up our tents for the night and we’re treated with hot drinks and snacks before dinner. Dinner was hot soup, popcorn, vegetables, pepper steak and pancake for dessert! After a great dinner, Kevin led us in a devotional and Brandon Heath blessed us by playing Before the Throne of God Above and his own song - He’s Not Finished with Me Yet.
Reflection.
The Mountain will humble you.
As I struggled with my pack and poles to get my water out without making a mess - I realized that pride was in my way. When they say pamoja, pamoja, together, together they mean it. I didn’t need to do it myself, and won’t make it to the top if I try. It is okay to ask for help, even if it is as small as needing someone to hold you hiking poles.
~ Bryan Gerard