It’s not often that you wake up at 14,500 ft to a view of a snow capped mountain, day 2 was just such a morning. There were a few morning headaches amongst the group, but thanks to a little Peruvian red & white pill (mostly caffeine), we were ready to face the day.
Read MoreEmerging from a warm sleeping bag, when you know there is snow and cold air awaiting you on the other side of the nylon tent, is quite difficult. Despite the struggle, Day 3 would prove to be the most challenging, and yet, the most rewarding day on the trek.
Read MoreFalse summit - this was the theme of the morning. When you think you've finally reached the top, only to discover that there is still another knob, and then another, and the obstacles to the summit kept coming around every bend. I'll admit it was a little deflating after about five false summits.
Read MoreOver a year in the making and we were finally on our way to the Rongai route trail head on the north side of Mt Kilimanjaro. We packed into two buses and made the journey from our lodge outside of Arusha towards the Kenyan border and our starting point. Nerves and butterflies were firing on all points.
Read MoreSettled into the routine of life on the mountain, it was now normal to wake up with the morning tea/coffee and wash bin set outside of the tent. Opening the tent and seeing a blanket of clouds below was truly surreal. So to fully enjoy the view, breakfast was served alfresco, no tent to hinder the view.
Read MoreThis was the last morning for a wash bucket outside of the tent, because now our water source was limited to the stagnant pool at the base of the Mawenzi Tarn. Water was the purpose for our climb, and it became a theme throughout the climb.
Read MoreThere are somethings that no amount of training and reading can prepare you for, and climbing to the summit of Mt Kilimanjaro is no exception. It's hard and amazing, and reaches for every ounce of determination in your being. The schedule for climbing to the summit will help explain the journey to the top.
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