Day 3: Enter 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 TEAM

Yesterday we started the day with breakfast meeting everyone and then had our final gear check. It was quite humbling to say the least as I was looking at the slew of things laying on my bed. We had to stay within 40 lbs in our bag for the porters to carry and the remainder goes in our day pack. As I looked at my stuff trying to decide what was completely necessary and what was actually a luxury I realized how blessed I really am. Not that I was gonna put a bunch of make up on up on the mountain, but I thought surely I could wear a little. Needless to say the make up bag was eliminated lol! I did keep my roll of toilet paper though lol! It is also very humbling to think there is three men to each one of us hikers that is gonna carry that heavy 40 lb bag for us and cook, set up our camp etc for so little in return. We are so fortunate in America and don’t realize how much on a day to day basis. We had some down time relaxing at the pool followed by a nice dinner last night and great fellowship with our new friends. This morning on day 3 it’s our big day! As I write this journal post we are on our two hour ride to the mountain. The sites we are seeing are quite interesting. A goat just walked out in the middle of the road in front of our van like no biggie. This is a normal way of life in Africa. There has been a local man spending time with us named Deo. They call him the story teller. He knows the mountain well and his stories are so interesting and have spoken directly to my heart. We are all so excited to get started on our journey. All we need to do is put one foot in front of the other and before you know it we will have climbed a mountain! “Pole Pole” how they say it here in Africa which means slowly,slowly. We are about at the base of the mountain and will have lunch and a final weight check on our bags. I pray God watches over us all and may we all stay healthy on this amazing journey! As I finish this journal up we have now arrived at our first camp. Today was so challenging. It’s hard not knowing what lies ahead of us. Before we left the hotel today I saw a quote on my phone. “We don’t know exactly what tomorrow will look like, but we can know who we will be looking to… our God whose love is unfailing to entrust our hope. He has been faithful before and he will be faithful again.”

~ Tammy Pritchett

Nina Barnett