Day 3: Climb to Machame Gate

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

UPDATE FROM THE GROUP

We were up early to start our day today with breakfast and final bag checks/weigh ins. We were blessed to have Papa Deo and his wife Naomi with us this morning to pray for us and see us on our way. He challenged us to take joy with us, to remember to make Jesus our friend throughout this journey and remember “thank you Jesus, Praise you Jesus”. Because we arrived late at night it was good to see the countryside as we made our way to the mountain gate. We checked in & began to see the porters at work as they loaded our bags, cooked and served us lunch before we began the journey. We started up the mountain through the cloud forest. Our guides are so good at reminding us to take our time, it’s a long journey and that we take this journey all together; pamoja pamoja. I’m already humbled by the way we are being served just in day one. These men and women taking care of us work with joy & always seem to have a smile as they are asking us what we need. After a long afternoon up some steep hills we arrived at camp. We have our tents set up, have eaten a delicious dinner and are ready for our first mountain sleep. Please continue to pray for good health for everyone and favorable weather on the mountain. We are all so grateful for each other, for the people back home running our homes and jobs, for all the people serving us and praying for us.

~ Tricia Newton