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
Today is the day, today we began the trek. As anxious and ill-prepared as I felt, that changed to excitement as we circled up outside Hotel Meru and gathered to hear Papa Deo to remind us to “Thank God, Praise God” and prayed over the journey.
We boarded the bus and got to let the excitement build as we had to await presidents of Africa attending a convention. We then got to enjoy some yummy coffee and snacks as we took the final hour to the base gate. The best part was pulling up to the gate for the machame trail and once we met our porters and sprayed for bugs we took to a beautiful table set with our lunch to fuel the first leg of the journey. The best part of this trip is doing it together, with my family and with new friends. We started slow, and maintained an even speed as we walked through the lush rainforest with its monkeys and moss (and astray dog too.
I got a chance to walk with everyone to know that Kates birthday is close to mine (soon)!, Caroline is one smart cookie excited about school, and that Evereste is excited for his first time to climb the mountain (like all of us!).
Everyone was a trooper as we got close to the end and the rain started coming down, and then we came to a clearing and saw it! We saw our camp for night one! Tents we’re set, and our porters helped us make sure we were ready, then it was time for popcorn and tea. We sat and warmed up with some fun treats, and then it was time for dinner with beef in tomato sauce, rice, soup, and friends. I fell asleep QUICK and woke up refreshed to do it all again!
~ Madeleine McCarty