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

Our first day of the climb opened up with a wonderful breakfast at the mount meru hotel. The Engelhardt’s had arrived late the night before but they were troopers and were ready to go. Full of energy Seth arrived… I’m looking forward to seeing how much more energy he will have when more rested.

We then packed up and squeezed into a van on our way to Kilimanjaro national park. We drove by a large church near the entrance of the park. But we were headed to a bigger church… As Seth put it, “The mountain is our church!”

We eventually got to the entrance of the park, unpacked the bags, and had a wonderful lunch. Lunch consisted of soup followed by chicken, French fries or if you were lucky… lots of pasta.

After lunch we finally hit the trail! We started with our guides, Big John, John, and Gabriel. Periodically, we would get passed by the numerous porters defying gravity balancing some pretty incredible loads. It was quite incredible to see!

After about 8 miles, shortly after the sun set, we arrived at camp. We gathered together and had the opportunity to personally meet those who had carried our bags for us. I think I can say that everyone in the group was thankful for all the hard work of all the porters, guides, security, food engineers, and others we may not have met that have made the first day a success and will make the rest of the trip a success.

⁃ Tim Zuercher