August 2019 - Kilimanjaro

We've wanted to hike Kilimanjaro for a few years: one of the seven summits, the highest point in Africa, with a summit at 19,341 feet. It was incredible, and also incredibly challenging. We did an 8-day trek (6 up, 2 down), with the hope that it would help us acclimate better, especially coming from many years at sea level. Even still the altitude was _super_ challenging; our previous time around 12,000 feet didn't even come close to comparing. Here are the pictures from the first half of the trek; go here for the pictures of the second half, in which we did miraculously make it to the summit. The hike started in some lovely rain forest, and then almost immediately around a corner turned into moorlands. In the second half htat transitioned to a volcanic alpine tundra. There were some fun monkeys on the way up too.

Porter check-in - a bit chaotic	And the hike starts! Nominally 34 hours of hiking to the peak (it took us a bit longer)	Lush rainforest
Porter check-in - a bit chaotic	And the hike starts! Nominally 34 hours of hiking to the peak (it took us a bit longer)	Lush rainforest
Our first look at some colubus monkeys, more specified the mantled guereza species. There's even a little one in this group!	A male, caught mid-pee	They're like skunks with human faces - eesh!
Our first look at some colubus monkeys, more specified the mantled guereza species. There's even a little one in this group!	A male, caught mid-pee	They're like skunks with human faces - eesh!
At the first camp after an easy first half-day	A blue monkey, attracted by some bread on the ground at the campsite	More lush rainforest at the start of day 2
At the first camp after an easy first half-day	A blue monkey, attracted by some bread on the ground at the campsite	More lush rainforest at the start of day 2
Another group of colobus monkeys	They actually blend in remarkably well with their environment	Hartlaub's Turaco
Another group of colobus monkeys	They actually blend in remarkably well with their environment	Hartlaub's Turaco
The trail headed across a valley and up into the clouds	Climbing up the very steep trail	The foothills of Kilimanjaro
The trail headed across a valley and up into the clouds	Climbing up the very steep trail	The foothills of Kilimanjaro
Excited to reach the second camp, Shira 1, after a challenging climb to 11,800 feet	A four-striped grass mouse	White-necked Raven, king of the high-altitude camps
Excited to reach the second camp, Shira 1, after a challenging climb to 11,800 feet	A four-striped grass mouse	White-necked Raven, king of the high-altitude camps
Red-eyed Dove, also found at all the camps	Moorland Chat, the most pleasant wildlife at high altitude	Our tent, and also our first view of the summit!
Red-eyed Dove, also found at all the camps	Moorland Chat, the most pleasant wildlife at high altitude	Our tent, and also our first view of the summit!
Kilimanjaro at sunset	Sunrise at Shira 1. And frost on the ground from overnight!	An enormous tree like a joshua tree
Kilimanjaro at sunset	Sunrise at Shira 1. And frost on the ground from overnight!	An enormous tree like a joshua tree
Arrival at Shira 2	Closer each day
Arrival at Shira 2	Closer each day
Looking across the Shira plateau	The plateau drops off into a sea of clouds	The sun setting on the Shira plateau
Looking across the Shira plateau	The plateau drops off into a sea of clouds	The sun setting on the Shira plateau
	At night the clouds cleared out and the lights of the city could be seen about 6000 feet below	Trudging up the mountain. It doesn't look like much, but this was actually one of the hardest parts of the hike.
	At night the clouds cleared out and the lights of the city could be seen about 6000 feet below	Trudging up the mountain. It doesn't look like much, but this was actually one of the hardest parts of the hike.
Hiking up into the clouds	The lava tower. Kilimanjaro is definitely a volcano.
Hiking up into the clouds	The lava tower. Kilimanjaro is definitely a volcano.
Glad to have reached our local maximum of 15,100 feet - our record altitude at that point, and until base camp!	Descending down from the lava tower	Joshua-like trees once back below 12,000 feet
Glad to have reached our local maximum of 15,100 feet - our record altitude at that point, and until base camp!	Descending down from the lava tower	Joshua-like trees once back below 12,000 feet
	A stream running alongside the trail	This area was full of wildflowers and very beautiful
	A stream running alongside the trail	This area was full of wildflowers and very beautiful
The fourth night, at Baranco camp	Our camp. The summit seemed so in-reach at this point.	Sitting high above the clouds
The fourth night, at Baranco camp	Our camp. The summit seemed so in-reach at this point.	Sitting high above the clouds
	The hike up the wall
	The hike up the wall
Making our way up		We had to hike down into this valley and up and out the other side
Making our way up		We had to hike down into this valley and up and out the other side
One last climb before the next camp4600	We crossed this valley, you can see the trail on the other side	Arrived at Karanga camp! 13,100 feet.
One last climb before the next camp4600	We crossed this valley, you can see the trail on the other side	Arrived at Karanga camp! 13,100 feet.
A sweaty hiking day!	Grilled cheese and fries for dinner. Yum!	Another camp above the clouds
A sweaty hiking day!	Grilled cheese and fries for dinner. Yum!	Another camp above the clouds
Nice and cold at this altitude	Not only is the toilet a pit, but it's a narrow one at that. No good can come of this.	Relaxing in the tent
Nice and cold at this altitude	Not only is the toilet a pit, but it's a narrow one at that. No good can come of this.	Relaxing in the tent