Day 5: 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

What struck me most was the beauty of the rainforest. It was definitely hard to look around at times because the hike was exhausting (🤣) but when we stopped it was breathtaking.  I had never seen ants colonize together and make a bridge with their bodies across a small stream. Amazing to see the innovation that God instilled in the smallest of beings.  High: seeing monkeys right before we started! So cool. Low: everyone wasn’t feeling their best, it was very wet.  The team continuously checked in on one another. We tried to be supportive to one another throughout the hike.  That going slow, focusing on your  breathe, and saying “thank you Jesus, Praise you Jesus” can go a long way.