The Roof of Africa

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Being the ultimate professional (dubious), when I was asked at work if I would go up Kili (via the Rongai route) since no-one else had been in the office, I thought - hey, why not?

At 5895 metres, Kili is the not only the highest mountain in Africa (and one of the Seven Summits), it is also the highest freestanding mountain in the world. There's also no technical climbing involved, just good hard trekking.

People climb Kili for various reasons - ie. personal challenge; raising money for charity; special milestone like a birthday or anniversary, etc. The oldest guy in our group was a 73 year old gent (who made it to the top), and he was raising funds for cancer research in memory of his wife who had passed away quite some time ago.

Climbing Kili is now considered mainstream. But I defy anyone not to agree that summit day is a hard bloody slog - definitely the hardest and longest walking day I've ever experienced.

An oldie but a goody - nice to reminisce. Enjoy the pics.

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Photos

Day 1
start of the Rongai trail at Nale Moru village (1950m)

onwards & upwards
walking towards our first night's campsite at Simba Camp (2600m)

dinner
Dinner in the mess tent -we never went hungry. Tonight's menu was soup, veggie stew; meat stew; veggies & potatoes; & fruit salad

Day 2
Start of trek to Kikelewa Cave. no mucking about - some of the porters have left before us to set up our lunch spot at Second Cave

guides
Our fantastic chief guide (Priscus), and assistant guides (Wilfred & Henry)

heathland
trekking through heathland which offers no protection from the elements

day 2 campsite
Kikelewa Cave campsite over yonder (3600m)

moonlight
middle of the night dash to the toilet tent. Freezing!

Day 3
trekking to Mawenzi Tarn via this sheltered valley, however all the giant senecios were burnt down by fires last year

smiley happy people
Wilfred and the Gang (Lars, Brian, Nigel, Geoff, Anna, Cheryl & Devin)